Hawkesbury City Council is proud to announce that Council’s Community Planning and Partnerships Manager, Liz Murphy, has been awarded the Woman of Distinction Award – Metropolitan Council (shared).
Liz joined many inspirational and talented women from across NSW councils at the prestigious Ministers’ 2023 Awards for Women in Local Government last week. She shared the Award with Renee Traynor, Team Leader Diversity and Inclusion at Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
The Woman of Distinction Award is given to a woman who has demonstrated exceptional innovation, integrity and initiative or who has a positive influence on others.
Liz started working at Hawkesbury City Council in October 2020 in the role of Community Recovery Officer following the 2019/2020 bushfires. Liz was working with residents in bushfire impacted communities to connect them to a range of support services and develop recovery initiatives when the Hawkesbury experienced a major flood in March 2021.
Her approach is rooted in the understanding that community recovery needs holistic and inclusive perspective. By bringing together professionals from emergency management, community services and local government, Liz has cultivated a network within the Hawkesbury and adjoining council areas that is well positioned to address the challenges facing our recovering community over the long term.
Liz secured a significant grant that enabled Hawkesbury City Council to continue to facilitate hubs in disaster impacted communities and develop and delivered programs and events that foster social connection, build community resilience and support disaster preparedness. Liz also attracted substantial funding for ‘Bright Ideas’ to launch grass-roots initiatives to support disaster recovery in rural communities.
The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Sarah McMahon was one of the first people ready to congratulate Liz on her award.
“Liz so deserves this award and she continues to help Hawkesbury residents in need. The impact of broad and innovative recovery initiatives that Liz set up and delivered when the Hawkesbury was hit by multiple floods has been incredibly positive.
“Through her commitment to collaboration, Liz has created new ways in which organisations with varied roles in emergency management can work together to better respond to the needs of the local community, both during disasters and in recovery,” Mayor McMahon said.
“Under Liz’s leadership and working with her team, a comprehensive suite of programs and resources has been developed and delivered,” Mayor McMahon said.
“On behalf of the Hawkesbury, congratulations Liz.”
