Nominations close soon for Women in Community Life Awards

NOMINATIONS will close today (Thursday, December 31) for women living and working in the City of Greater Geelong to be celebrated at the Women in Community Life Awards.

The annual awards recognise inspirational achievements by women across the community.

The awards will be presented as part of the city’s International Women’s Day celebrations on March 5, 2021.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the awards presented an important opportunity to acknowledge of the leadership and resilience shown by many women in the region in 2020.

“It’s been recognised that in many instances women have been hit harder than men by the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, as our work and home lives have been turned upside down,” she said.

“We have so many strong and inspiring women in Greater Geelong, working hard to make our community a better place to live – these awards recognise and celebrate those women.”

Cr Sarah Mansfield, chair of the council’s diversity, inclusion and LGBTIQ+ portfolio, encouraged community members to think about nominating an extraordinary woman in their
own lives.

“We also know that despite the challenges of the pandemic, there have been many local women who have stood up and led, inspired and cared for their community through some of the toughest times,” she said.

“If you know a woman who’s made a big difference in their community this year, please jump online and nominate them.”

Nominations are invited in the following categories:

• First Nations Woman
• Disability Rights
• Women in Community Life – General Awards

The nomination form includes a section to identify the areas where the nominee is demonstrating qualities and strengths, such as:

• Human rights and gender equality
• Leadership in sports
• Women’s health
• Mentorship
• Arts and culture
• Education
• Social equity
• Environmental and social sustainability.

This year’s Women in Community Life Award recipients include disability advocate Simone Stevens, gender equality in STEM advocate Ellen Moon, First Nations woman Marsha Uppill, Sian Pritchard for leadership development of women in health and Emily Sutcliff for leadership in sport.

Nominations will be assessed by a selection panel.

The major award is supported by Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West.

Nominations are open until 11pm tonight (Thursday, December 31).

For more information about award categories, the eligibility and selection criteria, see the nomination guidelines at geelongaustralia.com.au.

If you have a question about the awards or nomination process, contact the city’s Gender Equity Officer Julie Spec on 5272 5053 or email [email protected]