The City of Greater Geelong has celebrated International Women’s Day by acknowledging and honouring the extraordinary contributions and leadership roles of women across the region.
The 2023 Women in Community Life Awards saw more than 20 women* nominated in the categories of:
- First Nations Woman
- innovation for a gender equal future
- disability rights
- leadership for women’s health
- climate action
- human rights and
- education.
The awards commenced in 2016 and are hosted by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee.
With this year’s International Women’s Day event theme of ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’, the event featured a keynote address by Code Like a Girl co-founder Ally Watson OAM.
Ally provided a thought-provoking address about her passion around gender equality in technology.
The 2023 award recipients are:
- Melinda Kennedy – First Nations Woman in Community Life
Award sponsor Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP
Melinda has contributed to the Greater Geelong community through her roles on the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Waterways of the West, the Barwon Environmental Advisory Committee, the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and her work at Deakin University and NIKERI. The Geelong community has benefitted from her educational work on caring for culture and the environment. Melinda has contributed to promoting participation, representation and leadership for women and girls, and has modelled determination in reaching her goals as an academic, business owner and respected Traditional Owner.
- Jessica Wynn – Women in Community Life for a Gender Equal Future
Award sponsor Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
Jessica Wynn is the inaugural ‘Women in Surgery’ representative on a panel of junior doctors at Barwon Health. Working closely with her mentor, Jessica helped to establish the role to encourage women and non-binary doctors with a surgical interest to train in Geelong. In her urology research, Jessica has applied a gender lens to improve outcomes for women and demonstrate the need for more women in surgery. Outside of medicine, Jessica volunteers with Zonta International, Days for Girls International and Rotary.
- Jess Robinson – Women in Community Life for Disability Rights
Award sponsor Barwon Health
Jess Robinson is the director and creator of Baked by Us, a cupcake-cafe based business in central Geelong. Jess, who is neurodivergent, supports other young people with disabilities to gain real work experience and cafe skills. The day-to-day life of the participants has been enriched by giving them positive experiences and teaching them real skills. She is a young woman, business owner and autistic person. The impact Jess has had by creating the safe space that is Baked by Us, has been incredible.
- Kylie Skew – Women in Community Life for Leadership in Women’s Health
Award sponsor GMHBA
Kylie Skew is the inaugural manager of Killara Geelong Indigenous Women’s Hub in Corio, supporting First Nations women to access employment and support services, including women who have experienced domestic violence. Kylie brings a holistic health approach in her work that considers the whole person and their mental, physical, social and cultural health. Kylie goes over and above to provide a safe space for women to come together, assisting them to build cultural strength and connections.
- Kate Lockhart – Women in Community Life for Climate Action
Award sponsor Community for Geelong
As President of Bellarine Landcare Group, Kate Lockhart, is a tireless advocate for preserving, protecting and restoring the natural environment. Kate has been involved in Bellarine Landcare for more than 15 years and has served as President for five years. Her support for planting trees and plants on the Bellarine Peninsula has created a legacy for our community. As a mother of three children, including two girls, gender equity is a key driver for Kate. Outside of the environment, Kate’s volunteer contributions include the Drysdale Primary School, Bellarine Secondary School, and the Drysdale Tennis Club.
- Lana Purcell – Women in Community Life for Human Rights
Award sponsor Zonta Club of Geelong
The co-founder and CEO of Feed Me Bellarine, Lana Purcell promotes the basic human right of food security, enabling people in need to access to healthy food with dignity and respect. She supports volunteers, manages FeedMe and works alongside stakeholders to provide those in a vulnerable period in their lives with food parcels and meals. As a role model, mentor and community leader, Lana has transformed the perception of food rescue and food insecurity in the region.
- Issara Saeyim – Women in Community Life for Education
Award sponsor Soroptimist International of Geelong
Issara Saeyim works at Cloverdale Community Centre where she created and runs the well-being team and the Lotus Kitchen program, empowering migrant women experiencing family violence. This work also includes supporting people who have experienced modern day slavery. The Lotus Kitchen provides a safe environment for women to come together to share and connect, while cooking healthy meals for the community and learning English at the same time. The programs address a multitude of issues faced by migrant women, including family violence, language difficulties and lack employment opportunities. Issara also mentors and teachers social work students and supports male clients who experience mental health issues and homelessness.
To be eligible for the awards, the nominee needed to be a woman* living or working in the Greater Geelong region.
*Also refers to cis and trans women and gender non-binary people.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan
I applaud all nominees and thank them for their contributions to the region.
The awards provide well-deserved recognition to the many women in Greater Geelong who have worked selflessly and made outstanding contributions to the community.
We have heard inspiring stories about all of our nominees; women who have shown remarkable dedication in both professional and volunteer roles to make Geelong a better place to live.
Councillor Belinda Moloney
The awards event was an appropriate way to mark International Women’s Day.
When you consider the remarkable way in which all of the women nominated have worked to help others, it’s fitting that we applaud them on an international day of celebrating the contributions of women.
I hope that hearing the stories of our region’s inspirational women will further inspire community members to make Geelong a vibrant and inclusive place for all to live.
