Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

The award winners were announced at a ceremony at NSW Parliament House on 23 Oct 2025 hosted by Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig and Minister for Women Jodie Harrison. The prestigious awards, now in their 18th year, celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of women in NSW councils.

The awards were established in 2008 to recognise the outstanding efforts of women at the grassroots level of government in metropolitan and regional/rural councils.

There are countless women across our State playing a vital role in creating stronger local councils and making their local community a better place to live, work and play.

Award categories include separate awards for metropolitan and regional/rural councils including county councils and joint organisations. The categories are:

  • Alternative Pathways Award – for a female staff member who is breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes
  • Champion of Change Award – for a male and female general manager or senior manager who has excelled in supporting and encouraging women’s participation at their council
  • Elected Representative Award – for a female councillor who has advanced the position of female elected representatives
  • Employment Diversity Award – for a successful council program to increase female participation in senior leadership roles or at the elected representative level
  • Woman of Distinction Award – for a woman who has demonstrated exceptional initiative, innovation, excellence and integrity or who has a positive influence on their peers and others
  • Young Achiever’s Award – for an outstanding female staff member (including trainees and apprentices) aged 25 and under.
  • Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award – Winner is determined by the Minister for Local Government to recognise and honour the dedication and tireless work of a female council staff member or elected representative.

The late Cobar Mayor Lilliane Brady OAM was the inaugural recipient of the Minister for Local Government Award for Women in 2020.

This award has been formally named after Cr Brady to honour her extraordinary life and career as the State’s longest serving female mayor, and advocacy for women in the sector.

 

Winners of the 2025 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

 

  • 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 (Mayor Forbes Shire Council)