Western Sydney Women Awards 2023
The Western Sydney Women Awards are the only awards program representing women at all stages of life, business and career across the greater Western Sydney region.
We are also very proud that they are also the only awards program free to enter and free to attend, making them accessible to all women in Western Sydney.
2023 Winners and Finalists
Western Sydney Woman of the Year Award
Marian Casey
Westmead local Marian Casey has been named as Woman of the Year at this year’s Western Sydney Women Awards.
Marian also took home the Western Sydney Women Volunteer of the Year award for her tireless dedication to the local community. Having served during the 2019 bushfires, 2021 and 2022 floods, and the COVID-19 outbreak in her capacity as a deputy commissioner of St John Ambulance, Marian has put 13 years and thousands of hours towards volunteering.
On top of her full-time workload and university teaching commitments, Marian’s work at St John Ambulance sees her overlooking 3500 volunteers across the state. Known for her humility, professionalism, and integrity, Marian is highly respected by those who know her. The Woman of the Year award is the latest accolade to be handed to the three-time Bronze Commendation award winner and Order of St John member.
Sponsored by Western Sydney Women
Western Sydney Career Woman Award
Dr Carollyne Youssef
Dr Carollyne Youssef has had a passion for the mental health industry since she was a teenager. Achieving a PhD in Forensic Psychology, Dr Carollyne Youssef continues to contribute academic papers whilst leading and managing an all-woman team in a psychology practice.
Identifying a gap in the community for affordable psychology services for forensic clients, Dr Carollyne Youssef opened her first psychology practice, PsychOrium in 2019 providing clinical and forensic services to clients in Western Sydney and beyond. A recognised court-appointed expert for Local, District and Supreme Court matters, Dr Carollyne Youssef is also an AHPRA Approved Supervisor and Trainer.
Finalists
Bernadette Habkouk
Carli Heald
Dr Carollyne Youssef
Danielle Hodgson
Western Sydney Young Woman of the Year Award
Olivia Widjaja
Olivia Widjaja, an aerospace engineer, has a keen interest in space exploration and the role of technology in improving the sustainability of space. Recently completing her Honours thesis with UNSW Canberra and EOS Space Systems on current challenges in space situational awareness, Olivia is also a highly accomplished and motivated learner. In pursuit of her passion for space exploration, and inspiring young girls to pursue a career in STEM, this young engineer is part of the vanguard of female innovators breathing life into the aerospace industry and mentor for Western Sydney Women’s The Future is Bright in Aviation program among others.
Finalists
Anhaar Kareem
Emily Smith
Olivia Widjaja
Taylah Murray
Western Sydney Community Woman of the Year Award
Tricia Hitchen
Former Mayor of Penrith Council and highly decorated former Commissioned Police Officer, Tricia Hitchen has been battling bravely against domestic violence. In 2018 Tricia was part of the team that created The Haven, the first fully community-funded domestic violence refuge in Penrith. Since its inception, The Haven has provided over 15,000 safe beds for women and children. Tricia's ongoing commitment and dedication to raising funds ensures the doors stay open and continues to provide a safe inclusive environment to empower and inspire women to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Finalists
Harinder Kaur
Mercedes Durante
Tricia Hitchen
Samantha Prescott
Sarah Lambert
Western Sydney Woman in Performing & Creative Arts Award
Augusta Supple
Creative producer and theatre director specialising in new work and multi-playwright productions, Augusta Supple has commissioned and produced over 200 of Australia's leading and emerging playwrights, pioneering collaborative play generators and new work festivals. A previous keynote speaker at the University of Sydney and lecturer at Western Sydney University, in her current role as Cultural Strategy Team Lead for City Strategy at City of Parramatta, Augusta is making a difference, leading the development of the Parramatta City's new Cultural Strategy.
Finalists
Augusta Supple
Emie Roy
Inara Molinari
Joanne Kee
Western Sydney Woman in STEM Award
Marina Belkina
Marina Belkina has certainly paved the way in STEM. From collaborating with seven Australian Universities to study generative AI in engineering education to developing and leading a multidisciplinary project between engineering and design faculties at the College, Western Sydney University. Marina explores challenges and barriers to project-based learning. A dedicated educator, Marina pioneered an innovative recycled car project in 2022 targeting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, recent migrants, and mature-aged learners – bridging the gap between school and university-level projects.
Finalists
Daniya Syed
Marina Belkina
Professor Anna DeFazio AM
Vi Le
Western Sydney Woman in Trades Award
Natasha Stanic
A devoted mother and hockey coach by night, by day Natasha has a passion for empowering women in trades. As an Electro Fitter Mechanic (EFM) at Endeavour Energy, Natasha continues to expand her skills and is undertaking a Cert III in ESI Underground (High Voltage Cable Joiing). A regular presenter at Electric Kids, finalist in the 2022 Western Sydney Blue Mountains Training Awards and public face of NSW Government Women in Trades initiative, Natasha is an advocate for women in trades.
Finalists
Natasha Stanic
Sharni Harrison
Talia Parnell
Western Sydney Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Angela Maguire
Angela Maguire is passionate about building local businesses. Founder of The Gap Consultancy, Anglea provides community engagement services, marketing and communications for small businesses. In 2023 Angela relaunched her family's fruit packing shed Enniskillem Orchard. Located in Grose Vale at the base of the picturesque Blue Mountains, Angela has transformed the former packing shed into a retail space, café, licensed bar and event space. In true entrepreneur spirit plans are underway for further expansion. Angela also utilises her marketing skills, offering training and upskilling to young people in events management, marketing and hospitality.
Finalists
Amanda Little
Angela Maguire
Bernadette Habkouk
Corinne Grant
Western Sydney Women Leader of Change Award
Kate Dover
Kate Dover, Executive Director, Children and Family Services, at CatholicCare Sydney, is passionate about change and collaborating to support innovation. Leading the restructure of CatholicCare organised family law services, Kate was instrumental in implementing an innovative case management model as part of the recent Australian Law Reforms - Child Inclusive Practice. This innovative case management model is now a service model recommendation as part of the recent Australian Law Reform Commission enhancing safety, wellbeing and positive outcomes with children, young people, parents and family systems.
Finalists
Fiona Towney
Helen Smith
Kate Dover
Wafa Chafic
Western Sydney Woman in Healthcare & Emergency Services Award
Corrina D'Monte
With over 30 years of nursing experience, Corrina D'Monte is on a mission to change the way we receive care from healthcare staff. An active leader in the drug and alcohol withdrawal management space, her courageous leadership has made Corinna a leader in patient-centred care in the South-Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). Whether it's developing and implementing innovative and engaging activities, or providing one-of-a-kind withdrawal management service, Corrina provides unconditional care to her clients and the people she leads and works with.
Finalists
Corrina D'Monte
Juli Thwaite
Kimberlee Hughes
Western Sydney Women Volunteer of the Year Award
Marian Casey
A Westmead local, Marian is dedicated to serving the local community. Having served during the 2019 bushfires, 2021 and 2022 floods, and the COVID-19 outbreak in her capacity as a deputy commissioner of St John Ambulance, Marian has put 13 years and thousands of hours towards volunteering. On top of her full-time workload and university teaching commitments, Marian’s work at St John Ambulance sees her overseeing 3,500 volunteers across the state. Known for her humility, professionalism, and integrity, Marian is also a three-time Bronze Commendation award winner and Order of St John member.
Finalists
Beth Rich
Jenny Smith
Marian Casey
Western Sydney Women Small Business of the Year Award
Michelle Follington
Michelle is a driving force in Hawkesbury Region, supporting men and women through their hair loss journey. What started with a small local hair salon in 2018 has grown expeditiously to include not only an organic salon, Blossom Hair, Body, Face and Wig Boutique and the Wig Emporium Online Boutique but also a mobile service. Seeing a gap in regional towns and communities in NSW, Michelle launched her 'Blossom's Wig Wagon' in 2022, travelling to communities without access to wig services. Michelle is an avid supporter of various charities and is active in the media, representing the achievements of small businesses in Western Sydney.
Finalists
Corinne Grant
Michelle Follington
Rebecca Liu-Brennan
Sally-ann Eather
Western Sydney Women Educator of the Year Award
Nadia Faour
Born and raised in Canterbury Bankstown, Nadia has always been driven by helping and supporting women from her community, especially women from Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In her role as an early childhood playgroup facilitator, Nadia has worked tirelessly in linking young mums who are newly arrived with refugee status into integrating into society. Nadia played an instrumental role in supporting her community during COVID, modifying her delivery to ensure access to programs for isolated families and children continued. The introduction of a mobile version allows reach of these programs to some of the most vulnerable people in Western Sydney.
Finalists
Lucy Lin
Nadia Faour
Noelene Callaghan
Vicki Bowen
Western Sydney Executive Woman of the Year Award
Raquel Manning
Founder of Blue Diamond Property Group, Raquel Manning has achieved remarkable success as the creator of future suburbs. Through multi-million dollar deals, showcasing significant financial prowess, Raquel is the one searching for the suburbs before they exist. Her most noteworthy feat lies in her unwavering determination and resilience within an industry still plagued by gender bias. The only woman in the specialised field of off-market commercial development sites in NSW, Raquel is cracking open the shell that locks women out of the industry. Her work sets a new standard for female empowerment. Over the past 12 months, she has closed three high-profile deals valued at $500 million.
Finalists
Francoise Merit
Melissa Irwin
Raquel Manning
Samantha Prescott
