The extraordinary contributions and leadership roles of women in Greater Geelong have been celebrated in the City's 2021 Women in Community Life Awards held earlier this month.
Award recipients across the five categories, celebrating achievements of women in the areas of disability and human rights, leadership in women's health and in the community as a First Nations woman, were announced at a virtual event on Friday 5 March.
This year, 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.
A special Women in Community Life - Leading in Education scholarship to support a recipient's ongoing education, sponsored by Soroptimists Geelong, was another new addition this year. Now in its seventh year, the awards are hosted by the City's Women in Community Life Advisory Committee in celebration of International Women's Day (8 March) each year.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher congratulated the nominees and award recipients on their exceptional contributions to the community.
Hearing the stories of this year's nominees and winners has been truly inspiring, and they should all be incredibly proud of the difference they have each made to the community.
Each year the Women in Community Life Awards does a brilliant job of shining a light on the remarkable dedication of women in professional and volunteer roles and the positive impact they've had on the lives of others. Congratulations to everyone involved.
During the global pandemic, we've relied more than ever on the leadership of women who have, in businesses, clubs, schools and neighbourhoods, provided inspiration and modelled courage and resilience throughout what has been an uncertain and frightening period.
The 2021 recipients are:
Kylie Clarke - First Nations Woman in Community Life
Award sponsor Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP
Kylie leads the Nyarrn-gakgo Mangkie Program in Geelong, which creates opportunities, experiences and connections for First Nations young womxn* who aspire to a career in health.
Established in 2019 for Geelong's local community, the program nurtures First Nations young womxn on a journey of self-belief and strength in cultural identity as they navigate pathways into the health sector. Under Kylie's leadership, the program has produced many positive outcomes for young womxn and their families, continuing in 2020 despite the many challenges presented by the pandemic.
* The term 'womxn' is used to represent First Nations people who are female-identifying, gender fluid, trans-woman or non-binary.
Kaz McGlynn - Women in Community Life for Disability Rights
Award sponsor Barwon Health
Kaz runs art'[email protected], an art school in Geelong that provides a safe and supportive space for people from all walks of life, abilities and backgrounds to come and learn new skills.
Kaz is a great mentor, teaching not only the techniques required to produce fine art, but also the entrepreneurial skills that can help students generate an income from their art.
Outside of her school, she has also been involved in a number of community art projects in the Geelong region over the last 30 years, organising and managing people to contribute to these pieces. She also works with school children, young people and aged care residents, challenging their views of themselves and what they are capable of.
Kiralee Hogema - Women in Community Life for Leadership in Women's Health
Award sponsor Jean Hailes for Women's Health
Kiralee is a qualified Aboriginal health worker who provides 24/7 pre-and-post-natal maternity services to Aboriginal women and babies as part of the Koori Maternity Services team.
She understands the value and importance of family and culturally safe care for expectant mothers and day or night she responds to the needs of pregnant mothers within the community.
She has made her own career and wants to continue to learn and grow through education, recently being accepted into university to study midwifery. She is an inspiration in supporting other women and demonstrating to others in the community what you can achieve.
Debbie Fraser - Women in Community Life for Leadership in Times of Crisis
Award sponsor Committee for Geelong
Debbie has been a volunteer within the Geelong Society of Operatic & Dramatic Arts (GSODA) theatre company for 50 years, commencing as a Junior Player at 11 years old. Debbie has been pivotal in forming an inclusive culture that values teamwork, collaboration and resilience while developing theatre performance and life skills among the Junior Players.
Through role modelling and mentoring people Debbie has identified and encouraged many performers to fulfil their dreams and return to share their skills with the same passion, enthusiasm and pride.
Robyn Davis -Women in Community Life for Human Rights
Award sponsor Zonta Geelong
Robyn is a Manager and Senior Legal Counsel working to resolve legal claims involving institutional and historical childhood sexual abuse. She has dedicated her life and career to promoting human rights and gender equity, often standing up for those whose voices are not always heard by the legal profession.
She spent many years working in the Northern Territory representing First Nations women and their families, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, vulnerable families (including those experiencing family violence), as well as older generations. She has donated countless hours to pro-bono and volunteer work that not only resulted in better outcomes for her clients, but also helped address the systemic issues that prevent people from being heard.
Tenaya Watts – Women in Community Life - Leading in Education
Special sponsor Soroptimists Geelong
Tenaya is the Workforce Development and Human Resources Officer at the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative who is dedicated to education and training, understanding its importance in improving health, wellbeing and equity for First Nations communities.
She displayed outstanding initiative in supporting employees who were undertaking further studies during the COVID-19 lockdowns, negotiating with many training and education providers to make sure they could continue learning online.
Robyn Davis, recipient of the Women in Community Life for Human Rights award, was surprised and honoured to receive the award.
"It is both rewarding and a great honour to receive the Women in Community Life Human Rights award sponsored by Zonta."
"Throughout my working life I have tried to advance the interests of women and children. I am grateful my efforts have been recognised. I didn't expect to receive any award and it was a lovely surprise."
Kylie Clarke, recipient of the First Nations Woman in Community Life award, recognised the work of her fellow First Nations womxn.
I don't see myself as an individual winner as such. Rather, I feel a sense of pride to be acknowledged along with First Nations womxn highly regarded in our community.
And while we and all First Nations womxn continue to positively influence and impact, I hope that for First Nations young womxn watching on, they too are inspired and empowered to make a difference.
The event is sponsored by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP, Barwon Health, Jean Hailes for Women's Health, Committee for Geelong, Zonta and Soroptimists Geelong.
Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, this year's Women in Community Life Awards were held virtually.
