Women of the Year Awards
The annual Kingston Women of the Year Awards celebrate the outstanding contribution that women are making to our local industry, community and society. Nominees of this award are women who make a difference to our community and inspire others through their exceptional professional or personal achievements.
Awards ceremony
Our Women of the Year Awards were announced in a ceremony celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024. Our theme this year was #InspiringInclusion.
Congratulations to our 2024 Women of the Year:
Amy Salisbury
Amy is the founder of Mordi Sea Dippers, an inclusive community group bringing together a diverse range of people to explore the benefits of cold-water therapy. Through this program, members have built connections and friendships, creating a lasting positive impact on their lives.
Nimita Bagadia
Nimita has demonstrated excellence throughout her decade-long tenure at Telstra. Beginning as a graduate engineer, Nimita actively addressed gender biases and became a champion for diversity and inclusion.
Read more of their inspiring stories on our Media Release.
Nominations
Nominations have now closed for the Kingston Women of the Year Awards 2024.
Nomination categories
- Courageous commitment: This category is for women who are dedicated to making a difference to the health, well-being, safety, and/or sustainability of our community through advocacy, campaigning, fundraising, and/or thought-leadership.
- Excelling in arts and sport: This category is for women using their sporting and/or creative talents to represent, motivate and inspire our community.
- Inspiring innovation: This category is for women who are leaders in business, economics, politics, and/or an entrepreneur.
- Success in STEM: This category is for women who are excelling in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Eligibility
To be eligible, nominated individuals must:
- be a woman or individual who identifies as female;
- live, work or study within the City of Kingston;
- have made an outstanding contribution to the community (within Kingston or outside) whose achievements positively influence the changing social, environmental or business landscape.
Please note:
- Any community member or community group/organisation can make a nomination
- Individuals cannot self-nominate
- Previous nominees can be nominated again
- Previous winners and honourable mentions are not eligible
Assessment criteria
In choosing the recipients of the Kingston Women of the Year Awards, nominees will be assessed according to the following assessment criteria:
- Significance and impact of contributions made
- Demonstrated level of commitment to the betterment of the community
- Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
- Future goals and likely impact on the community
- Previous awards and recognition received
- Personal attributes of the nominee such as being an inspirational/positive role model for their peers, overcoming adversity, showing vision, leadership, innovation and creativity
- Personal, academic and professional achievements
Independent referee check
All nominations are required to be supported by two independent referees. For all eligible nominations received, Council staff will contact the referees to explore the merit of their nomination and ask that the referees provide a letter of support for their respective nominee.
Referee eligibility:
- Should be independent of the nominee and nominator
- Someone who has had close involvement with the nominee during their service or is able to comment directly on the nature and impact of their achievements
Selection process
Once nominations have closed, the selection panel will consider all eligible entries against the assessment criteria and select a winner.
The selection panel consists of the Mayor and fellow Councillors of the City of Kingston.
All eligible nominations will be announced online.
Important dates
- Nominations closed on Tuesday 31 October 2023.
- The Award winners will be officially announced at Kingston’s International Women’s Day Civic Event on Friday 8 March 2024.
Previous winners
Women of the Year
- 2019 - Emma Gierschick OAM
- 2020 - June Rea
- 2021 - Simone Hardham
- 2022 - Bronwyn Currie & Paula Westhead
- 2023 - Adrianne Fleming OAM
- 2024 - Amy Salisbury & Nimita Bagadia
Honourable mentions and category award Winners
- 2019 - Cindy Rella, Alecia Minster, Shauna Moore, Marissa Palamaras, Anna Wang & Sarah Loh
- 2020 - None
- 2021 - Megan King, Vanessa Heredia, Arna O'Connell & Joan Bradd
- 2022 - Anne Grigg, Sandra Davies OAM, Dolly Bhargava & Nidhi Shah
- 2023 - Aunty Katrina Amon, Jess McKenna, Michelle Kornberg & Harini Karthikeyan
- 2024 - Evelyn Townley & Gwyn Nichols, Kerrie Waworis, Dr Carolyn Beaumont, Dr Kate Robb