The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) is thrilled to announce the recipients of the inaugural AWE Excellence Awards 2023.

The AWE Excellence Awards recognise and honour the contributions of women to emergency management and disaster resilience.

Ruth Wraith OAM, who presented the awards at today’s Australasian Women in Emergencies Day Forum, said, “Today, in comparison to the relatively recent past, women hold key roles and responsibilities in all aspects of emergency management and disaster resilience, and carry these out to a high standard. It is more than timely that their contributions are acknowledged in a public way.  On behalf of the wider community, I congratulate each of the recipients of the AWE Excellence Awards 2023, and all AWE members whose dedicated work across a wide range of services supports Australasian communities. The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network is to be congratulated for their work supporting women in these roles and for initiating the AWE Excellence Awards”.

AWE Co-founder, Committee Member and Awards Lead Kath Cooney said, “We were overwhelmed by the calibre of nominees and the accolades that they were given by those who nominated them, as well as their referees. It is clear that women right across the sector are playing critical roles and making extraordinary contributions to emergencies right across Australasia, and we are delighted to be recognising and honouring these extraordinary women through the AWE Excellence Awards.”

AWE congratulates all recipients of this year’s AWE Excellence Awards.

 

Winners

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Leadership) for an individual whose leadership has significantly enhanced the emergency management and disaster resilience sector

  • Natasha Hallett, Maritime New Zealand

AWE Excellence Award (Leadership) for individuals whose leadership has significantly enhanced the emergency management and disaster resilience sector

  • Leah Bertholini

 

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Individual) for an individual that has made an important contribution to emergency management and/or disaster resilience

  • Natalie Gyles, New Zealand Red Cross

AWE Excellence Award (Individual) for individuals who have made an important contribution to emergency management and/or disaster resilience

  • Audrey Tolua
  • April Meredith
  • Dr Claire Cooper
  • Jade Moorby
  • Karen van Huizen

 

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Senior) for an individual who has made an important legacy contribution to emergency management and/or disaster resilience

  • Sue Gordon, Telstra/retired

AWE Excellence Award (Senior) an individuals who have made an important legacy contribution to emergency management and/or disaster resilience

  • Janelle Mackie
  • Dr Maureen Mooney
  • Susan McDougall

 

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Emerging Leaders) for younger individuals who are making an important contribution to emergency management and/or disaster resilience

  • Kate Lavrencic, The Yellow Company
  • Pareesha Mehta-Wilson, Greater Wellington Regional Council

 

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Mentor) for an individual who supports and encourages women in the emergency management and/or disaster resilience sector

  • Cheryl Ames, Tasmanian Fire and Emergencies

AWE Excellence Award (Mentor) for individuals who support and encourage women in the emergency management and/or disaster resilience sector

  • Belinda Latham
  • Jo Killick
  • Montserrat Ros

 

AWE Excellence Award (Volunteer) for an individual whose volunteering makes a significant contribution to local emergency management and disaster resilience

  • Kerry Turpin, Marine Rescue NSW

AWE Excellence Award (Volunteer) for individuals whose volunteering makes a significant contribution to local emergency management and disaster resilience

  • Roula Nanos

 

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Community member) for an individual whose contribution has strengthened their community’s disaster resilience

  • Cheryl Dimmock, Iluka NSW

AWE Excellence Award (Community member) for individuals whose contributions have strengthened their community’s disaster resilience

  • Heather Smith & Lisa Mcleod
  • Renae Hanvin

 

Outstanding AWE Excellence Award (Inclusion and Diversity) for an individual whose work is helping ensure emergency management and disaster resilience is inclusive of everyone

  • Rachel Burns, Emergency Recovery Victoria

AWE Excellence Award (Inclusion and Diversity) for individuals whose work is helping ensure emergency management and disaster resilience is inclusive of everyone

  • Angela Cook and Kelly Stoner
  • Melinda McDonald

Details of winners can be found on our awards webpage

For queries please email info@awenetwork.org.au