Women in Community Life Awards Nomination Guide 2022

The theme for our International Women’s day celebration in 2022 is Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. Accordingly, one of the seven categories for awards is for a woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in this area.

The awards, in seven categories, acknowledge the impact women* have made to promote and advocate for the advancement of gender equality in the Geelong region.

The seven categories are:

1. First Nations Woman in Community Life
2. Women in Community Life for Disability Rights
3. Women in Community Life for Leadership in a time of crisis
4. Women in Community Life for Leadership in Women’s Health
5. Women in Community Life for Human Rights
6. Women in Community Life for Education
7. Women in Community Life for Climate Action – Disaster and Resilience

The Women in Community Life Award’s recipients will be chosen by a selection panel with representatives from the sponsorship categories, members of the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee and Council Officers. Awards will be decided on the basis of the influence, leadership and advocacy demonstrated by nominees.  

Nominations are now open and the City of Greater Geelong and the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee encourage nominations of women* from all parts of the Geelong community.

1. First Nations Woman in Community Life

(Sponsored by Christine Couzens, MP)

This award acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women* living and/or working in Geelong, whose leadership and advocacy have improved the lives of people from their community.

The nomination must clearly demonstrate how the nominee has contributed to the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Greater Geelong region.

Examples might include:

• cultural activities
• advocating for human rights and self determination
• promoting health and education
• campaigning and advocacy
• leadership
• youth work
• community development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

2. Women in Community Life for Disability Rights

(Sponsored by Barwon Health)

This award acknowledges the achievements and contribution of Geelong women* living with a disability.

The nomination must clearly demonstrate how the nominee has addressed stereotypes and raised the profile of women and girls living with a disability within the Greater Geelong region. Examples might include:

• working towards inclusive practices
• taking up leadership opportunities
• advocating for women living with disabilities within the Greater Geelong region.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region with a disability in a current leadership role, such as:
• committee/board
• administration/operations
• coaching/mentoring
• coordination/team management.

3. Women in Community Life for Leadership in a time of Crisis

(Sponsored by Committee for Geelong)

This award acknowledges the achievements of women* who have demonstrated leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nomination must clearly demonstrate how the nominee has advocated for local and united leadership, in responding to community concerns within the Greater Geelong region. Examples might include:

• maintaining paid work and on-line learning with their children
• assisting neighbours and/or friends to meet their household needs to shop or attend medical appointments
• advocating for and with women who have reduced capacity to access systems and government departments
• finding new ways to encourage women and girls to stay connected during social distancing
• creating stronger and more connected communities by developing and demonstrating programs or projects to assist women/girls.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region.

4. Women in Community Life for Leadership in Women’s Health

(Sponsored by Jean Hailes)

This award acknowledges the achievements and leadership of women* in advancing women’s health outcomes.

The nomination must clearly demonstrate how the nominee has shown leadership skills and capacity within the Greater Geelong region. Examples may include:

• health promotion activities that have led to or encouraged stronger health outcomes for women
• raising awareness of mental health impacts for women taking on the triple load of household work, remote learning for children and/or paid work
• promoting sexual and reproductive health
• supporting women who are survivors of domestic and family violence
• working for the prevention of violence against women and girls
• activation of programs and local community connections to encourage physical health.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region.

5. Women in Community Life for Human Rights

(Sponsored by Zonta Club of Geelong)

This award acknowledges the achievements of women in the promotion, advancement and demonstration of advocacy for human rights.

The nomination must clearly show how the nominee has worked or volunteered in the area of human rights within the Greater Geelong region. Examples may include:

• actions to address and call out discrimination
• encouraging greater social harmony within the community in areas such as race relations, gender equality and the treatment of children and young people
• increasing awareness of injustice or discrimination
• advancing the position for women and girls in relation to clever and creative opportunities, including mentorship, digital platforms, social enterprise, and community activism
• promotion and inclusion of women’s participation in public life through advancing equal representation on boards, government bodies and educational institutions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region.

6. Women in Community Life for Education

(Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Geelong)

This award acknowledges the achievements of women in delivering, participating in and achieving educational outcomes.

The nomination must clearly show how the nominee has worked or volunteered in the area of education within the Greater Geelong region. Examples may include:

• tutoring for women who have English as a second language
• an inspirational teacher that has shown commitment and resilience to students
• women who have assisted in providing education to Primary and Secondary School students throughout lockdown as well as managing caring responsibilities for the household
• assisting a woman or girl to continue with her education through formal or informal support
  working towards advancing equality in our schools, TAFE’s or Universities
• challenging stereotypes and gender roles for girls or women in educational settings.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region.

7. Women in Community Life for Climate Action – Disaster and Resilience

(Sponsored by Women’s Health & Wellbeing Barwon South West)

This award acknowledges women’s* roles in supporting climate action, disaster responses and women’s resilience. The nomination must show how the nominee has played a role in leadership, advocacy and influencing outcomes in relation to the theme.

This year, consideration will be given to COVID-19 implications on gender roles, alongside the United Nations theme for International Women’s Day: Climate Action- Disaster and Resilience. Examples may include:

• women who have shown resilience during the disaster of the pandemic who have been an inspiration to their families, communities and friends
• women who have fought to raise awareness of the impacts of the disaster on housing insecurity, family violence, mental health and the unpaid work of women in all aspects of life
• women who have demonstrated leadership in advocating for climate action

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be:

• a woman* living and/or working in the Greater Geelong region.

Need to know more...

For further information email Naomi Manning at [email protected] or call 03 5272 4061.