Thirty of the most inspirational women and girls across NSW were today announced as finalists for Women of the Year Awards 2025.

The awards program, now in its 13th year, aims to recognise and celebrate revolutionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models.

Award categories include:

• NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence
• NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
• NSW Regional Woman of the Year
• NSW Community Hero
• NSW Young Woman of the Year (ages 16-30 years)
• Ones to Watch (ages 7-15 years)

The Women of the Year Awards ceremony is the centrepiece event of NSW Women’s Week 2025, a week-long celebration from Sunday, 2 March until Saturday, 8 March. The Awards are the NSW Government’s way of shining the light on the incredible talent and extraordinary women and girls from across our state.

Women of the Year award recipients will be revealed at the Women of the Year Awards 2025 ceremony on Thursday, 6 March at the International Convention Centre, Sydney. The Award ceremony will be livestreamed for everyone to celebrate these inspirational women and girls.

For more information about the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025, go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/awards-and-events/nsw-women-of-year-awards.

Premier Chris Minns said, “The incredible group of 2025 finalists reflect how exceptional the women of New South Wales truly are.

“From doctors, academics and scientists to community leaders and advocates – each and every one of our finalists have gone above and beyond in their respective fields.

“On behalf of the NSW Government and our community, I congratulate each of the finalists, for you are all deserving of this recognition.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, said, “We’ve had a phenomenal response to the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 program, with over 500 nominations across NSW. This is a record high, and we can absolutely confirm our 2025 finalists are some of the State’s most impressive women and girls.

“This year’s group come from all walks of life, from scientists and researchers to entrepreneurs and strong advocates to stop domestic and family violence. They come from all across New South Wales – from Sydney to Walgett. 

“The NSW Women of the Year Awards is truly a leading recognition program, inspiring everyday women to reach their highest potential.”

The Women of the Year 2025 finalists are (by Local Government Area):

NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence

• Professor Annette Cowie (Armidale)
• Mariam Mohammed (Newcastle)
• Dr Vanessa Pirotta (Canada Bay)
• Karen Robinson-Iles (Sydney)

NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year

• Marjorie Anderson (George’s River)
• Aunty Fay Green (Walgett)
• Lisa Sarago (Bayside)
• Robyn Taylor (Penrith)
• Aunty Rhonda Towney (Parkes)

NSW Regional Woman of the Year

• Kate Cleary (Hilltops)
• Kirsty Evans (Orange)
• Jan Frikken (Eurobodalla)
• Penny Lamaro (Armidale)

NSW Community Hero

• Ennia Jones (Newcastle)
• Kelly Lamb (Port Macquarie-Hastings)
• Mona Mahamed (Canterbury-Bankstown)
• Sandy Rogers (Tweed)

NSW Young Woman of the Year (ages 16-30 years)

• Yeon Jae Kim (Hornsby)
• Zara Seidler (Woollahra)
• Jessica Luyue Teoh (Hornsby)

Ones to Watch (ages 7-15 years)

• Chloe Croker (Goulburn Mulwaree)
• Jiayi Fang (Ku-ring-gai)
• Aurora Iler (Campbelltown)
• Ashleen Khela (The Hills Shire)
• Aish Khurram (Hornsby)
• Kat Mulcair (Yass Valley)
• Hayley Paterson (The Hills Shire)
• Waniya Syed (Camden)
• Lydia Tofaeono (Strathfield)
• Emilia Trustum (Richmond Valley)