The extraordinary contributions and leadership roles of women in Greater Geelong have been celebrated at the annual Women in Community Life Awards.
More than 20 women* were nominated across seven categories for their outstanding achievements in areas including disability rights, women’s health, climate action, education, human rights, and leadership in the community as a First Nations Woman.
For the second year in a row, the Women in Community Life for Leadership in Times of Crisis award was included to acknowledge the resilience and leadership shown by women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s awards were delivered as a virtual event and featured a question-and-answer session with special guest, ABC journalist Annabel Crabb.
In their ninth year, the awards are hosted by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee to celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March).
The 2022 award recipients are:
Meagan Howell – First Nations Woman in Community Life
Award sponsor Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP
Meagan is a proud Arrernte woman who was born and raised on Wadawurrung Country. She is a Koori Education Support Officer with the Department of Education and, in her work, prioritises cultural connection for members of the Aboriginal community, engaging both children and their families.
Noreen Nicholson – Women in Community Life for Climate Action – Disaster and Resilience
Award sponsor Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
For many years, Noreen has served on the Committee of Management at Geelong Sustainability, developing and coordinating numerous community engagement programs. She is a passionate climate activist committed to mitigating the effects of climate change and achieving a fast and fair transition to a net-zero carbon future for Geelong.
Leah Alstin – Women in Community Life for Disability Rights
Award sponsor Barwon Health
Leah is the owner of ruby seven, an organisation that sells sustainable, user-friendly coffee mugs and tumblers suitable for people with fine motor difficulties.
After being diagnosed as a teenager with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a neuromuscular condition, Leah has organised fundraising events, initiated campaigns and now donates $5 from every cup sold to FARA – the Friedreich Ataxia Research Association.
Leah Irving – Women in Community Life for Education
Award sponsor Soroptimist International of Geelong
Leah is the Service Learning Coordinator at St Joseph’s College Geelong. She has been the catalyst for many innovative community events and social justice initiatives for the school and the wider community.
As an educator, Leah brings a feminist perspective to the classroom and to her daily interactions with staff and students. Through her work, she demonstrates that everyone has a part in achieving gender equality, and men and boys can shift dominant norms and ideas about gender and the patriarchy.
Fiona Threlfall – Women in Community Life for Human Rights
Award sponsor Zonta Club of Geelong
Fiona Threlfall has been a volunteer with Share the Dignity since it commenced when she became the organisation’s second volunteer in the Barwon South West region in 2015. Share the Dignity collects and then distributes period products to charities supporting women and girls experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or otherwise doing it tough.
Dr Bianca Forrester- Women in Community Life for Leadership in Times of Crisis
Award sponsor Committee for Geelong
Bianca is a GP who has lived and worked in the Geelong community for 15 years. She is a senior lecturer in Primary Care at the University of Melbourne and is also a lecturer at Deakin’s School of Medicine.
In March 2020, Bianca initiated the development of a COVID-19 pandemic response learning network with the Western Victorian Primary Health Network. The network has been instrumental in sharing up-to-date information with health professionals to help them manage COVID-related risks while maintaining service access, quality, safety, and continuity for patients in local communities.
Renee Owen – Women in Community Life for Leadership in Women’s Health
Award sponsor Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
Renee was born and raised on Wadawurrung Country and is a member of the Yorta Yorta and Taungurung Nations.
She has always been active in her community, but as the Manager of Aboriginal Programs at Barwon Health, she has displayed outstanding leadership by showcasing health career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. She has also developed culturally appropriate maternity services at Wathaurong Health Services and advocated for family violence initiatives.
City of Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan
Congratulations to all the women on their nominations and outstanding achievements.
There are so many women in the Greater Geelong region who have worked tirelessly and made extraordinary contributions to the community, and these awards provide well-deserved acknowledgement of all their hard work.
All of the women have such inspiring stories and have shown remarkable dedication in both professional and volunteer roles to help others and make our communities a better and more inclusive place for all.
