Click here to read the press release about the 2021 winners.
 
 
Click here for the Awards Program
 
 
 
 
 
 
APP Media Release
 
Date: 21 July 2021
 
2021 ROTARY INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN’S AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
 
Today’s announcement replaces the proposed celebration of the 2021 Rotary Inspirational Women’s Awards – RIWA - at Parliament House, Sydney, and is presented by Press Release due to COVID restrictions. 
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales, as Patron, has presented a message to celebrate and support the announcement of the finalists today.  Please click on the link below to see The Governor’s message.
The NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women, The Honourable Bronnie Taylor MLC, today announced the 20 NSW 2021 finalists for RIWA, proudly presented by the Rotary Clubs of NSW.
 
Mrs Taylor said the Awards are a fantastic opportunity to shine a light upon the enormous contribution of women in both urban and rural communities across New South Wales.
 
Mrs. Taylor thanked all who submitted nominations this year, which are increasing each year.  The judges, comprising panels of Rotarians from across the State of NSW, have expressed how the high quality of nominations have made their task very challenging and a wonderful honour. 
 
“Each and every finalist is fully deserving of recognition for the tireless and generous work they do in their communities. They give so much and ask for nothing in return and I congratulate them on their nomination,” Mrs Taylor said. 
Click here to hear more from Bronnie Taylor MLC – www.riwa.com.au
 
Ms Lynda Voltz, MP, Member for Auburn and the NSW Legislative Assembly said “We have endured some challenging times over the past few years and in many cases, it has been women who have stepped up to hold both their families and their broader communities together.”
 
Click here to hear more from Lynda Voltz MP - www.riwa.com.au
 
RIWA Chair, Rae-Anne Medforth is joined by our Awards Ambassador, Louisa Hope and the RIWA committee in extending their congratulations to each of our finalists.
Finalists come from country locations, including Dubbo, Casino,  Sawtell, Cessnock, Batemans Bay, Bega, Millingandi and Bermagui. Urban finalists include those from the Sydney area, Newcastle, and Wollongong.  
 
The RIWA committee is currently organizing an Awards Ceremony to be held on 19 September 2021.  Full details will be announced and circulated as soon as they are confirmed.
 
Enquiries can be made to:
 
RIWA Chair:  Rae-Anne Medforth
Email:  riwa.chairperson@gmail.com
Phone: 0411 054 119
 
2021 FINALISTS
Inspirational Woman
Nominee First Name
Nominee Last Name
Local Government Area
URBAN over 30
Deborah
Gersbach
Blacktown City
 
Fifi
Hazzouri
Inner West
 
Melissa
Histon
Newcastle
 
Justine
Russell
Newcastle
URBAN 18-30 years
Boe Meh
Bird
Wollongong
 
Rose
Lewis
Blacktown City
 
Gabrielle
Phillips
Wollongong
 
Zahramina
Skandari
Campbelltown
RURAL over 30
Sarah
Bancroft
Bega Valley
 
Nadine
Hickey
Cessnock
 
Cheryl
McCarthy
Bega Valley
 
Christine
Rodgers
Eurobodalla
RURAL 18-30 years
Gemma
Campion
Dubbo
 
Fiona
Lane
Coffs Harbour
 
Emma
Peat
Central Coast
 
Caitlin
Pyke-Nott
Richmond Valley
HEALTH
Dr Danielle
McMullen
Inner West
 
Isabelle
Moutia
Blacktown City
 
Louise
Murphy
Wollongong
 
Lauren
Sturgess
Kogarah