The Australian Awards for Excellence in Women's Leadership

The annual Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership recognise and celebrate leaders who demonstrate impactful leadership in championing women, girls and/or other underrepresented groups through tangible actions and initiatives. The purpose of these awards is to increase visibility and momentum for more diversity in leadership across Australian society, and to recognise those who contribute time, effort, and energy into making this happen.

Karen Mundine and Rochelle Courtenay receiving their award
2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
2025
Cathy Foley Award Winner of 2025

DR CATHY FOLEY AO PSM

Australia’s Former Chief Scientist

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Heidi Yates 2025 ACT Award Winner

HEIDI YATES (SHE/HER)

Change Leader, Strategist, Human Rights Lawyer

2025 ACT AWARD WINNER

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Linda Burney 2025 NSW Award Winner

THE HON. LINDA BURNEY MP (SHE/HER)

Member for Barton

2025 NSW AWARD WINNER

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Karan Hayward 2025 NT Award Winner

KARAN HAYWARD (SHE/HER)

CEO Papulu Apparr-kari Aboriginal Corporation (The Language Center)

2025 NT AWARD WINNER

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A headshot of Anja Christoffersen in a red background

ANJA CHRISTOFFERSEN (SHE/HER)

Disability Advocate and Social Entrepreneur; CEO of the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Network (WDEN)

2025 QLD AWARD WINNER

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Manasi Murthy Mittinty 2025 SA Award Winner

DR MANASI MURTHY MITTINTY (SHE/HER)

Senior Lecturer; Speaker & Author; Founder CHERISH

2025 SA AWARD WINNER

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Justine Shaw 2025 TAS Award Winner

ASSOC. PROFESSOR JUSTINE SHAW (SHE/HER)

Conservation Scientist, QUT; Founder of Homeward Bound & Advocate for equity in STEMM

2025 TAS AWARD WINNER

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Suzie Betts 2025 VIC Award Winner

SUZIE BETTS

Founder, Boob Armour

2025 VIC AWARD WINNER

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Janine Dureau 2025 WA Award Winner

JANINE DUREAU (SHE/HER)

CEO, Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council; Community Leader, Advocate

2025 WA AWARD WINNER

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2024

SAM MOSTYN AO

Chair, Aware Super 

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Joanne Farrell

JOANNE FARRELL (SHE/HER)

General Manager, Kane Constructions; Founder & Director, Build Like A Girl

2024 ACT AWARD WINNER

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WENDY MCCARTHY AO (SHE/HER)

Businesswoman and Activist

2024 NSW AWARD WINNER

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Sarah Goddard

DR SARAH GODDARD (SHE/HER)

Rural Generalist, Tennant Creek Hospital

2024 NT AWARD WINNER

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THE HON SUSAN KIEFEL AC KC (SHE/HER)

Former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia 

2024 QLD AWARD WINNER

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KHADIJA GBLA (SHE/THEY)

Speaker; Trainer; Activist; Advocate; Model; Writer

2024 SA AWARD WINNER

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PROF DR MARCIA LANGTON AO (SHE/HER)

Associate Provost

2024 VIC AWARD WINNER

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GEORGIE STONE (SHE/HER)

Actor and Advocate 

2024 VIC AWARD WINNER

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DR NATASHA VAVREK (SHE/HER)

General Practitioner; Founder, The Bubble Tasmania

2024 TAS AWARD WINNER

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ASHA BHAT OAM (SHE/HER)

CEO, Southern Aboriginal Corporation

2024 WA AWARD WINNER

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2023
WLA - Karen Mundine

KAREN MUNDINE

CEO, Reconciliation Australia

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MOYA DODD AO

MOYA DODD AO

Partner, Gilbert + Tobin, Former Matildas Vice Captain

2023 SA AWARD WINNER

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PAT ANDERSON AO

PAT ANDERSON AO

Chair, Batchelor Institute

2023 NORTHERN TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - NATASHA BULLOCK

NATASHA BULLOCK

Assistant Director, Collections and Exhibitions, National Gallery

2023 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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ROCHELLE COURTENAY

ROCHELLE COURTENAY

Founder & Managing Director of Share the Dignity

2023 QUEENSLAND AWARD WINNER

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GEORGIE HARMAN

GEORGIE HARMAN

CEO, Beyond Blue

2023 VICTORIA AWARD WINNER

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TU LE

TU LE

Lawyer, Marrickville Legal

2023 NEW SOUTH WALES AWARD WINNER

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ZAHRA AL HILALY

ZAHRA AL HILALY

Youth Activist, Speaker and Author

2023 WESTERN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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COMMISSIONER DONNA ADAMS APM

COMMISSIONER DONNA ADAMS APM

Commissioner of Tasmania Police and Secretary of the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management

2023 TASMANIA AWARD WINNER

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2022
WLA - Christine Holgate

CHRISTINE HOLGATE

Chief Executive Officer, Toll Global Express

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WLA - DR ANNE WALTER

DR ANNE WALTERS

Chief Plant Health Officer, Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade

2022 NORTHERN TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - DR MIRIAM-ROSE UNGUNMERR BAUMANN AM

DR MIRIAM-ROSE UNGUNMERR

Aboriginal Elder; Renowned Artist; Activist

2022 NORTHERN TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - KYLIE WARD

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR KYLIE WARD

Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Nursing

2022 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - PROFESSOR KATE WARNER

PROFESSOR KATE WARNER AC

28th Governor of Tasmania

2022 TASMANIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - PROFESSOR NICOLA SPURRIER PSM

PROFESSOR NICOLA SPURRIER PSM

Chief Public Health Officer, SA Health

2022 SOUTH AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JAHNA CEDAR OAM

JAHNA CEDAR OAM

Executive Director, IPS Management Consultants

2022 WESTERN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - LISA COX

LISA COX

Media Professional and Disability Advocate

2022 QUEENSLAND AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ANTOINETTE BRAYBROOK

ANTOINETTE BRAYBROOK

CEO, Djirra; Co-Chair, National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services

2022 VICTORIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - SHIVANI GOPAL

SHIVANI GOPAL

CEO & Founder, The Remarkable Woman

2022 NEW SOUTH WALES AWARD WINNER

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2021
WLA - Natasha Stott

NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA AO

Former Senator; Chair, Our Watch Australia

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WLA - SERGEANT ERICA GIBSON

SERGEANT ERICA GIBSON

Remote Policing in Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service

2021 NORTHERN TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - COMMANDER KELLY HAYWOOD

COMMANDER KELLY HAYWOOD

Navy Women’s Strategic Adviso

2021 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - BELINDA HAZELL

BELINDA HAZELL

Principal Consultant, Optimum Standard

2021 TASMANIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - PATRICIA WARIA-READ

PATRICIA WARIA-READ

Chaplain, Department of Correctional Services

2021 SOUTH AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JUNE OSCAR AO

JUNE OSCAR AO

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

2021 WESTERN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - DR JEANNETTE YOUNG PSM

DR JEANNETTE YOUNG PSM

Chief Health Officer, QLD

2021 QUEENSLAND AWARD WINNER

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WLA - CARLY FINDLAY OAM

CARLY FINDLAY OAM

Writer, Speaker and Appearance Activist

2021 VICTORIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - MARINA GO

MARINA GO

Independent Board Chair and Non-Executive Director

2021 NEW SOUTH WALES AWARD WINNER

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2020
WLA - Nova Peris

NOVA PERIS OAM OLY

Former Federal Senator and Olympian

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WLA - PRISCILLA ATKINS

PRISCILLA ATKINS

CEO, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)

2020 NORTHERN TERRITORY WINNER

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WLA - GEORGEINA WHELAN

GEORGEINA WHELAN AM CSC AND BAR

Commissioner, ACT Emergency Services Agency

2020 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ZELINDA SHERLOCK

ZELINDA SHERLOCK

Councillor & Community, Culture and Events Committee Chair, Hobart City Council; Education Officer

2020 TASMANIA WINNER

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WLA - ANNABEL CRABB

ANNABEL CRABB

ABC Journalist, Author and Presenter

2020 SOUTH AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - DIANE SMITH GANDER AO

DIANE SMITH-GANDER AO

Non-Executive Director, Advocate for Gender Equality; Past President of Chief Executive Women

2020 WESTERN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ASHLEIGH BARTY

ASHLEIGH BARTY

Australian professional tennis player and former cricketer

2020 QUEENSLAND AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JAMILA RIZVI

JAMILA RIZVI

Chief Creative Officer, Future Women; Author and Commentator

2020 VICTORIA WINNER

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WLA - DR KERRYN PHELPS AM

DR KERRYN PHELPS AM

Councillor, City of Sydney; former President, Australian Medical Association

2020 NEW SOUTH WALES AWARD WINNER

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2019
WLA - Tracey Spicer

TRACEY SPICER AM

Reporter, Advocate and Author

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WLA - BETTINA DANGANBARR

BETTINA DANGANBARR

Founder & Chairperson, Galiwin’ku Women’s Space Inc; Anti-domestic violence campaigner

2019 NORTHERN TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - VIRGINIA HAUSSEGGER

VIRGINIA HAUSSEGGER AM

Director, 50/50 by 2030 Foundation

2019 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AWARD WINNER

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WLA - BERNADETTE BLACK

BERNADETTE BLACK

CEO and Founding Director, Brave Foundation

2019 TASMANIAN AWARD WINNER

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WLA - TANYA MONRO

PROFESSOR TANYA MONRO

Chief Defence Scientist and Physicist

2019 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AWARD WINNER

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WLA - SAMANTHA KERR

SAMANTHA KERR

Captain, The Matildas

2019 WESTERN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - LARISSA WATERS

SENATOR LARISSA WATERS

Co-Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens

2019 QUEENSLAND AWARD WINNER

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WLA - HOLLY RANSOM

HOLLY RANSOM

CEO, Emergent; Non-Executive Director and Businesswoman

2019 VICTORIAN AWARD WINNER

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WLA - DR CATHERINE HAMLIN

DR CATHERINE HAMLIN AC

Pioneering Surgeon and Obstetrician

2019 NEW SOUTH WALES AWARD WINNER

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2018
WLA - Gail Kelly

GAIL KELLY

Businesswoman, former CEO, Author

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WLA - NOVA PERIS OAM OLY

NOVA PERIS OAM OLY

Former Olympian Gold Medallist, Federal Senator and Principal Adviser, Sport & Recreation Participation

2018 NT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - SIMONE WILKIE

MAJOR GENERAL SIMONE WILKIE AO

Commander, Australian Defence College

2018 ACT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - MARITA CHENG

MARITA CHENG

Women in Technology Advocate

2018 TAS AWARD WINNER

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WLA - TARYN BRUMFITT

TARYN BRUMFITT

Founder, Body Image Movement

2018 SA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - KATE STANNAGE

DR KATE STANNAGE

President, Australian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society

2018 WA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - KIRSTIN FERGUSON

DR KIRSTIN FERGUSON

Non-Executive Director, Chairman and Creator #celebratingwomen

2018 QLD AWARD WINNER

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WLA - MAGDA SZUBANSKI

MAGDA SZUBANSKI

TV and Film Actress, Comedian and Marriage Equality Advocate

2018 VIC AWARD WINNER

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WLA - GILLIAN TRIGGS

PROFESSOR GILLIAN TRIGGS

Former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission

2018 NSW AWARD WINNER

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2017
WLA - Ann Sherry

ANN SHERRY AO

Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia

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WLA - ANDREA MASON

ANDREA MASON

CEO, Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women's Council

2017 NT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - SALLY BARNES

SALLY BARNES

Director of National Parks, Parks Australia

2017 ACT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - LUCY OFLAHERTY

LUCY O'FLAHERTY

Chief Executive Officer, Glenview Community Service Inc

2017 TAS AWARD WINNER

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WLA - TANYA HOSCH

TANYA HOSCH

General Manager - Inclusion and Social Policy, AFL

2017 SA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - LEONIE NOBLE

LEONIE NOBLE

National President, Women's Industry Network Seafood Community

2017 WA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - KATARINA CARROLL

KATARINA CARROLL

Commissioner Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

2017 QLD AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ROSIE BATTY

ROSIE BATTY

CEO, Emergent; Non-Executive Director and Businesswoman

2017 VIC AWARD WINNER

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WLA - KATE MCLOUGHLIN

KATE MCLOUGHLIN

General Manager of Paralympic Performance, Australian Paralympic Committee

2017 NSW AWARD WINNER

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2016
WLA - Elizabeth Broderick

ELIZABETH BRODERICK AO

Former Sex Discrimination Commissioner

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WLA - PATRICIA ANN

PATRICIA ANN MILLER AO

Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory

2016 NT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JULIE MCKAY

JULIE MCKAY

Commander, Australian Defence College

2016 ACT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - SUSAN FAHEY

SUSAN FAHEY

CEO and Principal Solicitor, Women’s Legal Service Tasmania

2016 TAS AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JACQUI MCGILL

JACQUI MCGILL

Asset President, Olympic Dam, BHP Billiton

2016 SA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - RABIA SIDDIQUE

RABIA SIDDIQUE

Lawyer, Humanitarian, Speaker and Author

2016 WA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK

THE HON. ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK MP

Premier of Queensland

2016 QLD AWARD WINNER

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WLA - MICHELLE DIXON

MICHELLE DIXON

CEO and Partner, Maddocks

2016 VIC AWARD WINNER

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WLA - LAYNE BEACHLEY

LAYNE BEACHLEY AO

7 Time World Surfing Champion & Founder of The Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation

2016 NSW AWARD WINNER

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2015
WLA - Dame Quentin Bryce

THE HONOURABLE DAME QUENTIN BRYCE AD CVO

Former Governor General of Australia

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WLA - CLARE MARTIN

CLARE MARTIN

Freelance Journalist and Former NT Chief Minister and Labor Leader

2015 NT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - PETA CREDLIN

PETA CREDLIN

Chief of Staff, Office of the Prime Minister

2015 ACT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - CHRISTINE MILNE

CHRISTINE MILNE

Leader of the Australian Greens

2015 TAS AWARD WINNER

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WLA - NATASHA STOTT

NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA AM

Australia’s Ambassador for Women & Girls & Former Senator

2015 SA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JULIE BISHOP

THE HON JULIE BISHOP MP

Minister for Foreign Affairs in Australia’s Federal Coalition Government

2015 WA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - TERRI IRWIN

TERRI IRWIN AM

Conservationist, Tourism Ambassador and Owner of Australia Zoo

2015 QLD AWARD WINNER

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WLA - JANINE ALLIS

JANINE ALLIS

Businesswoman, Channel Ten’s Shark Tank Mentor and Owner of Boost Juice

2015 VIC AWARD WINNER

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WLA - MICHELLE BRIDGES

MICHELLE BRIDGES

Author, Trainer, Entrepreneur and Champion of Change

2015 NSW AWARD WINNER

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2014
WLA - Julia Gillard

JULIA GILLARD

Former Prime Minister of Australia

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WLA - BESS NUNGARRAYI

THE HON. BESS NUNGARRAYI PRICE

Minister for Community Services, Statehood, Women’s Policy, and Parks and Wildlife

2014 NT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ELIZABETH COSSON

ELIZABETH COSSON AM CSC

Deputy Secretary of the Business Services Group, Department of Immigration and Border Protection

2014 ACT AWARD WINNER

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WLA - LARA GIDDINGS

LARA GIDDINGS

Former Premier of Tasmania

2014 TAS AWARD WINNER

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WLA - MAGGIE BEER

MAGGIE BEER

Culinary Icon

2014 SA AWARD WINNER

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WLA - CARMEN LAWRENCE

THE HON. CARMEN LAWRENCE

Former Federal President of the Australian Labor Party

2014 WA AWARD WINNER

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THE HON. ANNA BLIGH

THE HON. ANNA BLIGH

Former Premier of Queensland

2014 QLD AWARD WINNER

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WLA - CAROL SCHWARTZ

CAROL SCHWARTZ AM

Founding Chair, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia

2014 VIC AWARD WINNER

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WLA - ITA BUTTROSE

ITA BUTTROSE AO OBE

Legendary media editor, best-selling author and 2013 Australian of the Year

2014 NSW AWARD WINNER

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