INAUGURAL WOMEN IN COMMUNITY LIFE AWARD 2015
The Women in Community Life Award (WiCLA) for 2015 was sponsored by Women’s
Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West and is an initiative of the Women in
Community Life Advisory Committee (WiCLAC) for the City of Greater Geelong.
This inaugural award aims to highlight the achievements of women in the Geelong
region during the celebration of International Women’s Day. Many women
contribute incredible amounts of time and energy into their local communities; this
award is a step to recognising and celebrating this passion and commitment.
The winner of the award for 2015 was announced at the International Women’s Day
event on Friday 27 February 2015, hosted by the WiCLAC, City of Greater Geelong
and Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West.
International Women’s Day is a global celebration that originated in 1910 as an
occasion to celebrate economic, political and social achievements of women past,
present and future. It is an occasion to reflect on past struggles, to look to future
opportunities, unite and mobilise to instigate change!
TEN FINALISTS:
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AWARD WINNER:
Anna Negro
Denise Alaalatoa
Glenys Cashmore
Jo Brown
Julie Brand
Leigh Bartlett
Liz Murphy
Monica Hayes
Rosemary Nugent
Veema Mooniapah
Monica Hayes
TEN FINALISTS:
1. Anna Negro
Anna is the Principal of Sacred Heart College; she has devoted her entire working life to providing
quality education for girls in Geelong. For more than 25 years Anna has worked tirelessly to ensure
that girls, regardless of socio-economic or academic circumstance have the opportunity to achieve
and be heard. She has instigated and championed an exemplar social justice program, which
encourages every student to be involved in projects that change lives. The Alumni now follow her
example and are actively involved in social justice projects, particularly for women, long after they
have left the school. She is role model, for both students and staff, of the benefits of hard work, goal
setting, dedication and compassion. Anna’s mantra is: Educate girls and the world will be a better
place. Anna’s work is greatly valued by her community.
2. Denise Alaalatoa
Denise is looked upon in her community as a mentor and leader for women of all ages. She has been
the driving force behind the Portarlington Netball Club for many years, encouraging hundreds of
young women to get involved and become active both on the courts and in leadership roles. She has
successfully secured grants for the club as well as opportunities for the young players to experience
national level games in Melbourne. She has been a key instigator in bringing programs into local
clubs that assist the young people to become responsible human beings both on and off the field.
She is also a leading figure within the tennis club, reigniting junior tennis, by creating a partnership
with the local school. Denise annually brings together a team of local women to prepare and sell
mussels for the local Mussel festival, which contributes thousands of dollars to local community
groups. Denise gives countless hours to her community, for which she is greatly appreciated.
3. Glenys cashmore
Glenys has managed a demanding career as a district nurse and coordinator with a vast array of
volunteering commitments. She has volunteered as a tester for Rotary’s annual screening for bowel
cancer. For fifteen years she has assisted clients at the McKellar Centre to attend Communion, as
well as helping with the breakfast program at Christ Church and coordinating the Spring Fair. Glenys
Belongs to both Belmont Ladies and Waurn Ponds Probus clubs, where she has served time as
President. Her leadership roles have also included being president of the Mathew Flinders Alumni,
The East Belmont Health Centre and the Geelong Hospital Nurses League. Glenys inspires women in
her community to reach their goals, through her outstanding leadership and compassionate listening
skills. Glenys is much respected in the Geelong community.
4. Jo Brown
Jo is an inaugural member of the Geelong West Neighbourhood House, as well as working on
establishing this organisation she has taken on roles such as Vice President and Community
Development and Program Coordinator. With no premises and no paid staff this neighbourhood
house has been so successful because of volunteers like Jo, ensuring it has heart and soul and
energy. She is passionate about connecting and strengthening her community, particularly in
promoting courses which are appealing and accessible to women. Jo also voluntarily coordinates
West FEST, a free community arts festival, which she does with enthusiasm and efficiency. Jo’s
vibrancy, kindness and engaging nature inspires and motivates others. She is inclusive at all times
and has a strong sense of social justice. Jo is extremely valued as a compassionate and caring
community volunteer.
5. Julie Brand
Julie is changing the lives of women. She is giving them hope and a sense of wellbeing, post breast
cancer surgery. Julie has established an organisation called Perfect Again. Rejecting the imported
prosthesis herself, because of its heaviness and shape, she designed an Australian alternative.
Through determination and research she has developed a unique process of mapping and
construction. Using modern technology Julie is able to make a mirror image of the existing breast
and the post-surgery chest landscape, so that the breast form is unique. These breast forms are light
and stick to the chest wall, allowing breast cancer survivors comfort and flexibility to get on with
their lives. Julie spends hours with each client and gives them full support and sensitivity during the
process. Julie works with intelligence and a great sense of humour, her fantastic energy is inspiring
to her community.
6. Leigh Bartlett
Leigh has a tireless commitment to improving outcomes for young women across the community,
both in her work at Barwon Adolescent Youth Task Force and in a voluntary capacity. She has been
involved in delivering parent education programs in various settings and is committed to youth
sector development. Leigh is a constant advocate for young people having the best opportunities
available to them, helping create strong resilient connected youth across the region. She is an active
member on various committees, many working towards positive outcomes for young people. In her
spare time away from parenting and working, she is a dedicated and passionate coach of juniors at
the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club. For many, she is the first port of call in times of need; Leigh is much
appreciated member of her community.
7. Liz Murphy
Liz’s early career roles at Bethany and Barwon CASA had a focus on supporting women who were
dealing with or escaping domestic violence. She not only helped them work through their pain but
encouraged them to gain strength through collective action by participating in events, such as
Reclaim the Night. Liz has mentored many ex clients and students to become strong independent
women, seeking their own place in community development and support of women. Liz now works
for Vic Health and has been successful in facilitating the incorporation of preventing violence against
women into the planning process for several municipalities. Liz is highly valued in her community for
not only her passion for safe communities for women, but empowering women to be equal and
fruitful contributors to its development.
8. Monica Hayes
Monica moved to the Bellarine Peninsula with a background in local politics and psychology.
Monica was confident she could balance her parental responsibilities and also make a contribution
to her community. She has since had many voluntary roles in the primary school, Bellarine
Community Health, the Portarlington Community Association, quickly being promoted to leadership
positions. Monica is a founding member of WILD, which advocates for gender equity in local
government. She is currently founding president of the positive ageing group, Staying Put in
Portarlington and convener of Locomote. Monica is passionate about promoting wider recognition
of women and is truly valued within her community.
9. Rosemary Nugent
Rosemary is passionate about justice and life long learning for her community and is rewarded by
seeing others develop their skills and confidence. She initiated the idea for a neighbourhood house
in Geelong West and after a determined five years of lobbying was successful in the formation of a
steering committee. Although the Geelong West Neighbourhood House has over 1000 members it
still has no funding for staff and no premises. Rosemary voluntarily works from home up to 60 hours
per week to ensure an exciting and interesting array of programs are delivered from various
locations, as well as trying to attract funding for the centre. Her perseverance over ten years shows
resilience and determination and inspires many women. Others have described her as ‘modest’,
‘amazing’, and ‘omnipresent’ and ‘incredible’, she is highly respected in her community.
10. Veema Mooniapah
Veema is a passionate advocate for women in the Geelong community, particularly those from
diverse backgrounds. She has been involved in establishing the women’s only swimming program
which operates in Corio, allowing women and children the opportunity to socialise and develop
water skills in a safe environment.
Veema is generous with her time and often commits her weekends to her work. She inspires and
motivates many women to get involved with their wider community.
The city of Greater Geelong is one of the first councils to have a Multicultural Action plan and Veema
was the driving force behind this and the Multicultural Action Plan Committee. Veema is greatly
appreciated in the Geelong community.