Celebrating women leading local government in NSW
The Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the women leading, innovating, and making a lasting difference in councils and communities across NSW.
The awards recognise outstanding staff and elected representatives whose leadership, service, and commitment are helping to build stronger, more inclusive local government.
Nominations for the Awards are now closed and being assessed by the judging panel.
Councils, county councils, and joint organisations are encouraged to nominate eligible staff and elected representatives who are making a positive impact in their organisation, community or the wider local government sector.
Award categories
The 2026 Award categories recognise women at different stages of their local government journey, from emerging leaders and first–term councillors to senior leaders, mentors and long–serving contributors.
Two awards are presented for each category; one to a regional/rural nominee, and another to a metropolitan nominee. The 2026 award categories are:
Rising Star Award
For an outstanding female employee aged 25 or under (including apprentices, trainees, and cadets) who demonstrates strong performance and initiative early in her career.
Breaking Barriers Award
For a female staff member who has challenged traditional career pathways is breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes.
Champion of Change Award
For a general manager or senior leader who has driven meaningful cultural or structural change to advance gender equity at their council.
Excellence in Mentoring and Sponsorship Award
For a female staff member who has supported, mentored, sponsored, or championed the development and progression of women in local government.
Excellence in Gender Equity Award
For a council that is creating inclusive workplaces and supporting women’s participation, progression and leadership.
Woman of Distinction Award
For a woman who has demonstrated excellence, integrity and leadership, and who is a positive role model within her organisation, community, or the sector.
Excellence in Councillor Leadership Award (new category)
For a female councillor who has strengthened the presence, voice, and impact of elected women in local government.
Emerging Councillor Leadership Award (new category)
For a first-term female councillor who has demonstrated strong early leadership, commitment to public service, and contribution to her council or community.
Help us recognise the women leading change, strengthening councils and supporting communities across NSW.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the awards or nomination process, contact [email protected]
Past winners
2025
The 2025 award winners (listed below) were announced by Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig and Minister for Women Jodie Harrison at a ceremony held in Parliament House on 23 October.
- Alternative Pathways Award – Metro
Jessica Speechly – Senior Coordinator Environmental Health, Blacktown City Council - Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural
Kira Mendes – Park Maintenance Supervisor, Bathurst Regional Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Vanessa Parkes – Director of City Living, Blacktown City Council - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural
Naomi Searle – Director Sustainable Communities and Environment, Tweed Shire Council - Elected Representative Award – Metro
Councillor Carolyn Corrigan, Mosman Municipal Council - Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural
Councillor Leah Anderson – Mayor, Port Stephens Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Metro
Katie Anderson – Director Community and Culture, Randwick City Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Metro
Helen Bradley – Manager Resource Recovery Planning, Inner West Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Regional/Rural
Karen Partington – Manager Assets, Lake Macquarie City Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Metro
Ceyda Nalbantoglu – Digital Assistant, Liverpool City Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Regional/Rural
Rani Diggs – Relieving Grader Operator Team Leader, Gilgandra Shire Council - Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award
Councillor Phyllis Miller OAM – Local Government NSW President and Mayor, Forbes Shire Council
2024
- Alternative Pathways Award – Metro
Alicia Lopez – Chief Information Officer, City of Newcastle - Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural
Ruth Hallett – Civil Engineer, Mid Coast Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Metro
Jazmin Webber – Apprentice Carpenter, City of Newcastle - Young Achiever’s Award – Regional/Rural
Rylee Goodman – Governance Officer, Shoalhaven City Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Metro
Brooke Endycott – Director Community Life, Burwood Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Metro (Highly Commended)
Haley Vallone – Strategic Social Planner, Campbelltown City Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Regional/Rural
Alex Waldron – Chief Executive Officer, Upper Lachlan Shire Council - Elected Representative Award – Metro
Councillor Linda Downey, Canterbury-Bankstown Council - Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural
Councillor Sue Moore – Mayor, Singleton Council - Employment Diversity Award – Metro
City of Canada Bay - Employment Diversity Award – Regional/Rural
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Emily Scott – General Manager, Waverley Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Greig Schuetrumpf – Director of City Assets, City of Canada Bay - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural
Eloise Chaplain – Director of Infrastructure Delivery, Narrabri Shire Council - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural
David Hughes – Director – Built and Natural Assets, Lake Macquarie City Council - Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award
Councillor Linda Scott – President, Australian Local Government Association / City of Sydney
2023
- Alternative Pathways Award – Metro
Mary Boustani – ICT Systems Engineer, Inner West Council - Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural
Rachael Abberton – Senior Water and Sewer Planning Engineer, Mid Coast Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Ben Taylor – Chief Executive Officer, Wollondilly Shire Council - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural
Melissa Maccallum – Manager, Building & Environment, Orange City Council - Elected Representative Award – Metro
Councillor Judy Hannan MP, Wollondilly Shire Council (also Member for Wollondilly) - Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural
Councillor Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Shire Council - Employment Diversity Award – Metro
Inner West Council - Employment Diversity Award – Regional/Rural
Armidale Regional Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Metro
Renee Traynor – Team Leader, Diversity & Inclusion, Canterbury-Bankstown Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Metro
Liz Murphy – Manager, Community Recovery, Hawkesbury City Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Regional/Rural
Lucy Kinsley PSM, Regional Library Manager, Richmond Tweed Regional Library, Lismore City Council - Woman of Distinction Award – Regional/Rural
Helen Plummer – Manager Asset Management, Lake Macquarie City Council - Young Achievers Award – Metro
Keira Grundy – Art Gallery Trainee, Mosman Municipal Council - Young Achievers Award – Regional/Rural
Jenna Dowell – Trainee Engineer, Upper Hunter Shire Council
2022
- Alternative Pathways Award – Metro
Rebecca Tempest – Manager, Resource Recovery & Waste Services, Blue Mountains City Council - Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural
Doreen Harwood – Enterprise Risk & Emergency Management Officer & Local Emergency Management Officer, Tweed Shire Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Jennifer Concato – Executive Director, City Planning and Design, City of Parramatta - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural
Kim Bush – Division Manager, Community Development and Participation, Eurobodalla Shire Council - Elected Representative Award – Metro
Dr Christina Curry – Mayor, Bayside Council - Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural
Ben Taylor – Chief Executive Officer, Wollondilly Shire Council
Mayor Chris Cherry, Tweed Shire Council - Employment Diversity Award – Metro
Cumberland City Council - Employment Diversity Award – Regional/Rural
Rous County Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Metro
Grace Elizabeth Haydon – Senior Project Officer, Major Projects and Precincts, City of Parramatta - Young Achiever’s Award – Regional/Rural
Shannon Anne Mackenzie – Trainee Administration Officer, Lake Macquarie City Council - Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award (formerly the Minister for Local Government Award for Women)
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, Ballina Shire Council
2021
- Alternative Pathways Award – Metro
Priscilla Felice – Trades Supervisor, Asset Maintenance, Waverley Council - Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural
Belinda Thomson – Vegetation Maintenance Supervisor, Lake Macquarie City Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Marnie Mitchell – Manager, People and Performance, City of Ryde - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural (shared)
Laura Black – Acting General Manager, Clarence Valley Council
Helen McNeil – Group Manager, People and Performance, Rous County Council - Elected Representative Award – Metro
Councillor Clare Raffan, City of Canterbury Bankstown - Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural
Councillor Marion Browne, City of Broken Hill - Employment Diversity Award – Metro
Wollongong City Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Metro
Kristyne Arneill – Support Officer, City of Canada Bay - Young Achiever’s Award – Regional/Rural
Shanon Gray – Cadet Accountant, Lake Macquarie City Council - Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award (formerly the Minister for Local Government Award for Women)
Leanne Barnes OAM, former General Manager, Bega Valley Shire Council
2020
- Alternative Pathways Award – Metro
Sandra Kubecka – Director of Community Assets, Camden Council - Alternative Pathways Award – Regional/Rural
Kim White – Local Emergency Management Officer, Shoalhaven City Council - Champion of Change Award – Metro
Monica Barone – Chief Executive Officer, City of Sydney - Champion of Change Award – Regional/Rural
Suzanne Richmond – Human Resources Manager, Tweed Shire Council - Elected Representative Award – Metro
Councillor Rachelle Harika, City of Canterbury Bankstown - Elected Representative Award – Regional/Rural
Councillor Phyllis Miller OAM, Mayor, Forbes Shire Council - Employment Diversity Award – Metro
City of Sydney - Employment Diversity Award – Regional/Rural
Wagga Wagga City Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Metro
Elizabeth Pirolo – Trainee, Liverpool City Council - Young Achiever’s Award – Regional/Rural
Annabell Hooghuis – Apprentice Nursery Officer Landcare, Lake Macquarie City Council - Minister for Local Government Award for Women
Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM, Mayor, Cobar Shire Council
2019
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Winner: Cr Wendy Waller (Liverpool City Council)
Winner: Cr Roslyn Harrison (Northern Beaches Council)
Highly commended: Cr Reena Jethi (The Hills Shire Council) - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Cr Susan Price OAM (Moree Plains Shire Council)
Highly commended: Cr Phyllis Miller OAM (Forbes Shire Council) - General Manager/Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Simone Plummer (Sutherland Shire Council)
Highly commended: Therese Manns (Randwick City Council) - General Manager/Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Morven Cameron (Lake Macquarie City Council)
Highly commended: Melissa Boxall (Shellharbour City Council) - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Belinda Koytz (City of Canada Bay Council) - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Stephanie Mowle (Goulburn Mulwaree Council)
Highly commended: Deborah McDonald (Singleton Council) - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Olivia Simons (City of Sydney Council)
Highly commended: Alissa Jones (City of Newcastle Council)
Highly commended: Margaret Diebert (Liverpool City Council) - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Adrienne Pierini (Cobar Shire Council)
Highly commended: Tegan Muirhead (Wagga Wagga City Council) - Women in Traineeships or Apprenticeships – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Sarah Tracy (Penrith City Council) - Women in Traineeships or Apprenticeships – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Acacia Johnston (Shellharbour City Council)
Highly commended: Renee Keir (Lake Macquarie City Council)
Highly commended: Sophie Broadbent (Wingecarribee Shire Council) - Special Achievement Award
Carmel Krogh (Shoalhaven City Council)
2018
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Winner: Clr Lucille McKenna OAM (Inner West Council) - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Clr Tegan Swan (Coffs Harbour City Council) - General Manager/Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Simone Cook (Canterbury Bankstown Council)
Highly commended: Meredith Wallace (Bayside Council) - General Manager/Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Rebecca Ryan (Blayney Shire Council)
Highly commended: Fiona Plesman (Muswellbrook Shire Council) - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Turkan Aksoy (Canterbury Bankstown Council)
Highly commended: Emily Raymond (Newcastle City Council)
Highly commended: Carol Ashworth (Blacktown City Council) - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Maree Edwards (Lake Macquarie City Council)
Highly commended: Gina Mobayed (Goulburn Mulwaree Council) - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Tracy Moroney (Bayside Council)
Winner: Mary-Anne Priest (City of Sydney Council) - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Teena Riley (Goulburn Mulwaree Council)
Highly commended: Cate Fennell (Parkes Shire Council) - Women in Traineeships or Apprenticeships – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Rae-Anne Young (Blacktown City Council) - Women in Traineeships or Apprenticeships – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Breanna Green (Gunnedah Shire Council)
2017
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Winner: Councillor Jennifer Anderson, Ku-ring-gai Council - Special Achievement Award
Councillor Judith Rutherford AM, Willoughby City Council - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Councillor Kristy McBain, Bega Valley Shire Council
Highly Commended: Councillor Jenny Clarke, Narrandera Shire Council - Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Julie Vaughan, Central Coast Council
Highly Commended: Marissa Racomelara, Georges River Council
Highly Commended: Gail Connolly, Georges River Council - Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Margot Stork, Murray River Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Petrina Nelson, City of Canada Bay Council
Highly Commended: Adama Kamara, Cumberland Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Debra Hilton, Gunnedah Shire Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Winner: Martina Fletcher, Blacktown City Council
Highly Commended: Kelly Loveridge, Inner West Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Winner: Megan Cone, Armidale Regional Council
Highly Commended: Maree Brennan, Kyogle Council
2016
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Winner of the Award – Councillor Yvonne Keane, The Hills Shire Council - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Winner of the Award – Wendy Tuckerman, Boorowa Shire Council
Highly Commended – Danielle Mulholland, Kyogle Council - Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner of the Award – Sue Weatherley, Parramatta City Council - Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner of the Award – Judy Charlton, Narrandera Shire Council
Highly Commended – Lee Furness, Shellharbour City Council
Highly Commended – Rebecca Ryan, Blayney Shire Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Joint Winner of the Award – Nicola Daaboul, Bankstown City Council
Joint Winner of the Award – Tina Sangiuliano, Liverpool City Council
Highly Commended – Annette Celle, Bankstown City Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner of the Award – Cheryl Hyde, Dungog Shire Council
Joint Highly Commended – Linda Christof, Dubbo City Council
Joint Highly Commended – Tracie Mauro, Parkes Shire Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Winner of the Award – Cathy Coutlis, Blacktown City Council
Highly Commended – Christine Schlesinger, Waverley Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Joint Winner of the Award – Dominique Judd, Tamworth Regional Council
Joint Winner of the Award – Sally Mullinger, Mid-Western Regional Council - Lifetime Achievement Award
Norma Male and Patricia Gould were recognised with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
2015
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Winner of the Award – Clr Sue Heins, Warringah Council - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Winner of the Award – Clr Gae Swain, Gunnedah Shire Council - Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Winner of the Award – Nicole Magurren, Camden Council - Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Highly Commended – Leeah Daley, Gwydir Shire Council
Winner of the Award – Therese Manns, Broken Hill City Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Highly Commended – Justine Uluibau, Campbelltown City Council
Winner of the Award – Sarah Sampson, Penrith City Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Joint Winner of the Award – Shellie Buckle, Parkes Shire Council
Joint Winner of the Award – Laura Kendall, Lake Macquarie City Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Winner of the Award – Sara Foster, Wyong Shire Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Winner of the Award – Sharon Ross, Parkes Shire Council
2014
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Highly Commended – Councillor Elaine Malicki, Ku-ring-gai Council
Winner of the Award – Councillor Dr Michelle Byrne, The Hills Shire Council - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Highly Commended – Councillor Leigh Vaughan, Great Lakes Council
Winner of the Award – Councillor Sharon Cadwallader, Ballina Council - Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Highly Commended – Sima Truuvert, Randwick City Council
Winner of the Award – Janice Bevan, Ku-ring-gai Council - Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Winner of the Award – Kay Whitehead, Tumbarumba Shire Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Highly Commended – Ashlee Hodson, Bankstown City Council
Highly Commended – Vandana Ram, Bankstown City Council
Winner of the Award – Suzanne Flynn, Penrith City Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Highly Commended – Margaret Ferguson, Snowy River Shire Council
Winner of the Award– Robyn Cooper, Wollondilly Shire Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Highly Commended – Margaret Diebert, Waverley Council
Winner of the Award – Kerry Whitehead, Fairfield City Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Highly Commended – Norma Toweel, Wollondilly Shire Council
Highly Commended – Amanda Colbey, Lake Macquarie City Council
Winner of the Award – Kristie McLachlan, Coffs Harbour City Council
Lifetime Achievement Award – Winner of the Award – Councillor Esme Martens, Mid-Western Regional Council
2013
- Elected Representative from a Metropolitan Council
Councillor Jackie Greenow, Penrith City Council - Elected Representative from a Rural or Regional Council
Councillor Gwen Griffen, Gunnedah Shire Council - Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Colleen Worthy-Jennings, Gosford City Council - Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Carmel Krogh, Shoalhaven City Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Metropolitan Council
Daniela Santucci, Bankstown City Council - Non-Senior Staff Member – Rural or Regional Council
Kelly Brown, Ballina Shire Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Metropolitan Council
Lisa Scully, Newcastle City Council - Women in a Non-Traditional Role – Rural or Regional Council
Anne Sander, Cessnock City Council
2012
- Regional/rural non-senior staff representative
Veronica Bird, Shellharbour City Council - Metropolitan non-senior staff representative
Vanessa Creighton, Randwick Council - Regional/rural senior staff representative
Alison Dench, Wollondilly Shire Council - Metropolitan senior staff representative
Sue Weatherley, Parramatta City Council - Regional/rural elected representative
Clr Colleen Fuller, Gunnedah Shire Council AND
Clr Darriea Turley, Broken Hill City Council - Metropolitan elected representative
Clr Vicki Scott, Gosford City Council
2011
- Regional/rural non-senior staff representative
Simone MacLaughlan, Mid-Western Regional Council - Metropolitan non-senior staff representative
Helen Connell, Holroyd Council - Metropolitan senior staff representative
Lisa Miscamble, Council of the City of Canada Bay - Regional/rural elected representative
Clr Jan McWilliams, Mayor, Great Lakes Council - Metropolitan elected representative
Clr Karen McKeown, Penrith City Council - Note: Regional/rural senior staff representative were not awarded in 2011
2010
- Regional/rural non-senior staff representative
Jenni Eakins, Coffs Harbour City Council - Metropolitan non-senior staff representative
Alison Hester, Kogarah City Council - Regional/rural senior staff representative
Janice Summerhayes, Wagga Wagga City Council - Metropolitan senior staff representative
Lindy Deitz, Campbelltown City Council - Regional/rural elected representative
Clr Jenny Dowell, Lismore City Council - Metropolitan elected representative
Clr Jean Hay AM, Manly Council
2009
- Regional/rural staff representative
Leanne Barnes - Metropolitan staff representative
Penny Holloway - Regional/rural elected representative
Clr Sue Whelan - Metropolitan elected representative
Clr Tania Mihailuk
2008
- Urban council elected representative
Clr Joyce Wheatley - Urban council staff representative
Candy Nay - Rural council elected representative
Clr Denise Osborne - Rural council staff representative
Vas Roberts