Some of our state’s most inspiring women have been named as finalists in the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards today including locals Elly Bird, Naomi Moran and Lucy Trease.

Elly Bird and Naomi Moran are worthy finalists having provided so much support for our community over the last 11 months through their respective organisations, Resilient Lismore and the Koori Mail.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the 34 remarkable women and girls are making a significant impact across the board, from science to education, health, industry, culture and community.

“I’m always inspired by the calibre of women nominated for these awards and the outstanding contributions they are making in their communities across the state,” Mrs Taylor said.

“There were almost 400 nominations, showcasing incredible women from all walks of life who are championing positive change. These finalists are an inspiration to us all and it’s wonderful to see them getting the recognition they deserve.

“On behalf of NSW, I extend a massive congratulations to all the finalists. You are all incredible individuals who make enormous contributions to our communities.”

There are seven award categories in the 2023 program, including the Premier’s Award for NSW Woman of the Year, which is selected from pool of category winners.

The finalists are:

NSW Woman of Excellence Award

·         Dr Rebecca Deans - Randwick

·         Anne Dennis - Walgett

·         Arabella Gibson - Mosman

·         Unis Goh - Turramurra

·         Jodie Ward - Heathcote

NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award

·         Natalie Ahmat - Gladesville

·         Debbie Barwick - Rutherford

·         Jodi Edwards - Flinders

·         Lynda Edwards - Narromine

·         Kirsty Hargraves - Dubbo

·         Naomi Moran - Lismore

Aware Super NSW Community Hero of the Year Award

·         Elly Bird - Lismore

·         Randa Habelrih - Maroubra

·         Mary Hollingworth - Glen Innes

·         Angela McCann OAM - Coolamon

NSW Minerals Council Regional Woman of the Year Award

·         Emma Bracken - Suffolk Park

·         Gayle Dunn - Ulladulla

·         Dannielle Pickford - Banora Point

·         Sally Rogers - Eatonsville

NSW Young Woman of the Year Award

·         Ashna Basu - Randwick

·         Chanel Contos - Sydney

·         Lua Pellegrini - Toongabbie

·         Daniya Syed - Oran Park

·         Jiahui Diana Zhang - Blacktown

Advocate for Children and Young People One to Watch Award

·         Abbie - Epping

·         Matilda Gibson - Cessnock

·         Jorja O’Brien - Young

·         Grace Salkeld - Garthowen

·         Jasmine Seidel - New Lambton Heights

·         Coralie Smith - Ulladulla

·         Haniya Syed - Oran Park

·         Penelope Towney - Corrimal

·         Lucy Trease - Alstonville

·         Audrey Wood - Mount Kuring-gai

Lismore City Councillor and Resilient Lismore Executive Director Elly Bird told the Lismore App, "It was a surprise to receive the email and to be honest it made me quite emotional, I’m very honoured and grateful to whoever it was that nominated me. It’s been a massive year working alongside so many other people in our community recovery and this award really does recognise the incredible work being done by all of us together. 

"I am a spokesperson and I’m often out front but I can only do what I do with the support of our incredible and hard working team at Resilient Lismore and the support and collaboration of a much broader network of amazing people and organisations across our community who continue to go above and beyond in this recovery. 

"I’m so glad that Naomi Moran is also being recognised for her phenomenal efforts leading the Koori Mail who have been so instrumental in our recovery journey from their very first moments of strong and immediate First Nations leadership on the ground from their hub in Molesworth St. 

"I’m also honoured to be part of an inspiring group of women from right across New South Wales, who are stepping up to care for their own respective communities in all sorts of ways. The work we do as women in our communities is so important, so often we are front and centre in the community caring for each other and often that work goes unrecognised. I think this nomination whilst I am the nominee, recognises every single person in our community and especially those who have been and continue to be part of the efforts of Resilient Lismore. I’m so grateful to each and every person that has stepped up to be part of our community recovery and that people keep turning up to do this important work nearly a year on."

Winners will be announced on Thursday, 9 March at the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards Ceremony at the International Convention Centre, Sydney and livestreamed online.

The awards are part of NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Monday, 6 March to Sunday, 12 March.

To read more about the awards and finalists, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/awards-and-events/nsw-women-of-year-awards