Nominations open for Women in Community Life Awards

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2023 City of Greater Geelong Women in Community Life Awards which acknowledges the contribution women have made to the Greater Geelong community, and in particular their work to promote and advocate for the advancement of gender equality.

Award nominations officially opened last week across seven different categories, with eventual winners being crowned on Wednesday March 8, 2023, as part of the city’s International Women’s Day celebrations.

A woman may be nominated for up to three different awards.

The seven categories are:

Innovation for a Gender Equal Future – sponsored by Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West

First Nations Woman

Disability Rights – sponsored by Barwon Health

Award for Leadership in Women’s Health – sponsored by GMHBA

Climate Action – sponsored by Committee for Geelong

Human Rights – sponsored by Zonta Club of Geelong, and

Education – sponsored by Soroptimist International of Geelong.

Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said the Women in Community Life Awards were an important date on the City of Greater Geelong’s calendar.

“The Geelong community is lucky to have so many women who go to extraordinary lengths to make the community a better place for others, and I encourage all community members to think about the women in their lives and consider nominating them for an award.

“These awards form part of a number of awards programs hosted by the council to target under-represented groups to ensure we equitably recognise and celebrate everyone’s contributions.

“Gender equity is one of the council’s five health and wellbeing priorities as laid out in our Community Plan and acknowledges the critical work of women and girls in our community.”

Women in Community Life advisory committee chair Cr Belinda Moloney said the city encouraged Geelong residents to nominate a woman in their own lives who was making a difference in their community.

“The awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise women who may have never been recognised before.

“We want to hear about women from all walks of life, from the quiet achiever to the passionate leader, who are working for a fair society and a clever and creative Greater Geelong community.

“Sharing the accomplishments and stories of women role models in our region allows us to thank them for their contributions and helps to inspire other women and future generations.”

As well as the accolades and recognition, the award winners will receive a Wathaurong Glass artwork and a $500 voucher.

Category winners will also have the opportunity for a “mutual mentoring” session with a leader from the organisation that has sponsored their award category.

Nominations are open to anyone who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person and must live, work or study in the Greater Geelong region.

Nominations close at 5pm on November 18 and will assessed by a selection panel.

For more information about award categories, the eligibility and selection criteria, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/wiclawards