Leading ladies

WOMEN’S DAY AWARDSAWARDS

GEELONG’S leading ladies were celebrated at an International Women’s Day event last night that recognised four award winners across various categories.

A record number of nominations were received for the 2018 Women in Community Life Awards, announced at an event at GMHBA Stadium.

Nicci Wall (pictured) was awarded the Living with a Disability Award for her efforts in raising awareness and understanding of mental illness. The long-time advocate has collated an online collection, Minds Unleased, of stories and poems written by those living with a mental illness.

Sharelle McGuirk, the Koorie workforce officer at Barwon Health, was recognised with an award for the inspiration and mentorship she provides to young Aboriginal people pursuing education and careers.

Janice Watt won the Human Rights and Gender Equality Award for her commitment to social justice, human rights and gender equality. Ms Watt was one of the founding women who helped form the first family violence service in Geelong, and with a career spanning more than 35 years, has been a great influencer of creating systematic change in preventing and addressing violence against women.

Teacher Dianne Pont, of The Gordon, was celebrated for her “behind the scenes” work to inform, influence and inspire her friends, family and colleagues.

The event was hosted by City of Greater Geelong, GMHBA, the Committee for Geelong and the City of Greater Geelong’s Women in Community Life Advisory Committee with Susan Halliday delivering the keynote address.