Congratulations to all of our finalists! Click on each one to learn more about their story.
Founder, Plate It Forward
Shaun is the founder of Plate It Forward, a social enterprise using food to drive social change.
Since 2020, he’s built restaurants and training programs that employ and empower refugees, asylum seekers, and people facing disadvantage.
Profits fund food relief and community initiatives, delivering hundreds of thousands of meals. Shaun is a passionate advocate for inclusion, using hospitality to create pathways to employment, connection, and lasting opportunity.
Founder and CEO, AirTrunk
Robin is the founder and CEO of AirTrunk, a leading data centre platform that has helped position Sydney as a key player in the global digital economy.
Under his leadership, AirTrunk has expanded across the Asia-Pacific, supporting the infrastructure behind cloud computing and AI.
He is also a committed philanthropist, recently donating $100 million to the University of Sydney to fund a 20-year program designed to increase the participation of young women, particularly from Western Sydney, in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Parents of Joe Massa
Elouise and Danny Massa, grieving parents of infant Joe Massa whose passing deeply impacted the Northern Beaches community, have since become powerful advocates for bereavement support and hospital safety reform.
Their campaigning has catalysed major healthcare policy reform - “Joe’s Law” and the revamped REACH protocol dubbed “Joe’s Rule” - and a broader push for accountability in NSW’s health system.
Their courage and commitment have led to greater awareness of family grief needs, sparked community solidarity, and prompted critical discussions around maternity and neonatal care standards.
CEO, Full Stop Australia
Karen is the CEO of Full Stop Australia, a national leader in responding to and preventing sexual, domestic, and family violence.
Under her leadership, the organisation has expanded trauma-informed counselling, advocacy, and training.
Karen is a strong voice for systemic change, shaping national conversations on gender-based violence, consent, and survivor support. Her work champions a future where everyone can live free from violence and abuse.
Founder and Managing Director, Mental Fitness Collective
Through the Mental Fitness Collective, Hunter Karam has championed youth mental health by creating innovative programs that build resilience, emotional intelligence, and peer support networks.
His work empowers young people to prioritise mental wellbeing and seek help without stigma.
Hunter’s leadership has influenced schools and communities across Australia, fostering open conversations around mental health and equipping youth with lifelong tools for emotional strength and self-awareness.
Senior Policy Officer, NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group
Kodie is a proud Dharawal, Ngarigo, and Dunghutti woman and dedicated advocate with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), committed to advancing Aboriginal education and cultural understanding.
She has played a pivotal role in promoting inclusive curriculum development, community engagement, and student empowerment.
Through her leadership, Kodie supports the integration of Aboriginal perspectives in schools, fostering stronger connections between educators and Aboriginal communities.
Her work continues to inspire educational equity and cultural pride across New South Wales.
Registrar, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Dr Jessica Luyue Teoh is a domestic violence (DV) advocate and 2023 Churchill Fellow – one of only 2 women under 30 in Australia to receive this honour.
Jessica works as an obstetrics and gynaecology registrar (doctor) at Sydney’s RPA Hospital and leads the Grants Committee at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter, securing over $100,000 in grants last year.
As a clinical associate lecturer at the University of Sydney, she inspires future doctors.
Jessica’s Churchill Fellowship took her to 6 countries, where she advocated for DV detection and intervention in pregnancy. In Australia, she is implementing DV screening in early pregnancy clinics, aiming for policy changes in the NSW public healthcare system.
CEO, Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre
Nicole is CEO of the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC), and is a passionate advocate for ending gender-based violence and homelessness.
Under her leadership, WAGEC has expanded its crisis and transitional housing services, implemented trauma-informed care, and championed prevention initiatives.
Nicole’s commitment to social justice drives systemic change, empowering women and children to rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and support in communities across New South Wales.
Director, The Hive
Rubie Ireson, a dedicated community leader at The Hive in Mt Druitt, has driven impactful change through grassroots collaboration and advocacy.
Passionate about empowering local families, she works to improve early childhood outcomes and strengthen community connections.
Rubie’s leadership has fostered trust, inclusion, and long-term partnerships between services and residents, helping to create a thriving, resilient community where children and families are supported to reach their full potential.
Leader, "Conscious" program, Campbelltown Arts Centre
Sukhdeep leads the “Conscious” program at Campbelltown Arts Centre, a groundbreaking hip-hop and youth development initiative.
Designed to empower young artists from Western Sydney, “Conscious” provides mentorship, creative workshops, and performance opportunities focused on storytelling, identity, and social justice.
Under Sukhdeep’s leadership, the program nurtures emerging talent, amplifies diverse voices, and fosters a strong sense of cultural pride and community through the power of hip-hop.
By Cooks River Alliance
Our Backyard River, led by the Cooks River Alliance, is an award-winning community engagement program reconnecting people with the Cooks River through culture, storytelling, and environmental stewardship.
The project celebrates Aboriginal knowledge, local history, and community voices, fostering a deep sense of place and care for the river.
Through art, education, and collaborative events, Our Backyard River inspires action to restore and protect this vital urban waterway for future generations.
By We Are Studios, Blacktown
We Are Studios in Blacktown is a pioneering, 100 percent disability‑artist‑led creative studio empowering Western Sydney artists with lived disability experience through accessible studio space, inclusive mentorship, and professional development.
As a fully disability-led initiative, its board and team are all artists and professionals with disability, ensuring the studio is designed by and for the community it serves.
Through exhibitions, workshops, and tailored programs, they amplify disabled voices and foster creative equity.
By Blacktown City Council with CHROFI, JMD Design, and FORGE
Dawson Park is a transformative community space that celebrates local culture and biodiversity.
The project prioritises safety by designing inclusive, well-lit areas that create safer spaces for women and families.
Integrating sustainable design, native landscaping, and accessible recreation, Dawson Park fosters social connection, environmental education, and community pride, revitalising Mt Druitt’s urban landscape.
By Canterbury Bankstown Council
Lakemba Nights During Ramadan is Australia’s largest Ramadan street festival, attracting over 1.57 million visitors in 2024.
Held on Haldon Street, Lakemba, this month-long event features more than 60 food stalls and cultural displays, transforming the area into a vibrant global food bazaar every Thursday to Sunday evening.
It serves as a significant cultural gathering, fostering inclusivity and community spirit. The festival supports local businesses and has become a key event in Sydney's multicultural calendar.
By Pont3 and Destination NSW
The TCS Sydney Marathon’s Make Sydney a Major Campaign has successfully elevated Sydney’s profile as a world-class marathon destination.
By attracting elite international athletes and thousands of participants, the campaign boosts tourism, the local economy, and community engagement. It promotes health and inclusivity while showcasing Sydney’s iconic landmarks.
The initiative has strengthened Sydney’s global sporting reputation, fostering pride and inspiring active lifestyles across diverse communities.
By the NSW Government
The NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Program is a transformative initiative aimed at addressing the housing crisis by promoting high-density, mixed-use development around key transport hubs.
The program targets over 170,000 new homes across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter, and Central Coast regions.
This initiative focuses on rezoning land within 400 meters of 37 key metro and rail stations to facilitate mid-rise and mixed-use developments.
Congratulations to our incredible winners! Click on each one to watch their story.
Medical student and author, My Strong Heart
At 24, Alexia Paglia is a fierce advocate for children’s health education. Currently a Doctor of Medicine student at University of Wollongong, she blends her rigorous training with a passion for community service, aiming to bridge the health literacy gap in Australia.
Her work as a clinical trials researcher in oncology at UNSW led to a significant review on survivorship care for young cancer survivors, underscoring her dedication to impactful healthcare delivery.
But it’s her bestselling children’s book on heart health, "My Strong Heart," that sets her apart. Sparked by her motivation to make medical environments less intimidating for children, Alexia has used her book to facilitate free lessons at Sydney Children’s Hospital School, and host reading sessions at local libraries.
Co-Chair, Impact 100 Sydney
A true champion for Sydney’s underdogs, Corinne works tirelessly to foster community-driven philanthropy and entrepreneurship for underrepresented groups.
Volunteering as the Co-Chair of Impact100 Sydney, she organises 100 donors to contribute to a $100,000 annual collective grant, and works with them to decide which charities to support. Kemp's commitment has led to raising over $250,000 for Impact100 last year alone.
An inclusive and collaborative leader with a knack for identifying people's strengths and harnessing them for collective impact, Corinne is also the co-founder of Migrant Women in Business. Here, she connects migrant women entrepreneurs with a support network, resources and opportunities to help them succeed in their ventures.
Former Vice Chancellor of Western Sydney University, and current Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner
Professor Barney Glover AO has transformed Western Sydney University (WSU) as their former Vice Chancellor – as well as the region as a whole.
He strategically developed high-rise campuses in key areas like Parramatta, Blacktown, and Bankstown, drawing government and corporate investment and sparking urban renewal. Under his leadership, WSU’s rankings, research outputs, student numbers, and community engagement surged.
Now, as the first Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, Glover provides expert advice on Australia's skills needs, guiding workforce studies and collaborations.
Glover’s work is widely respected, particularly his contributions to education, community engagement, and support for First Nations Australians.
Student advocate and Project Officer, Muslim Women Australia
Khadijah couldn't wait to finish school and start studying to be a teacher, so instead of doing year 11 and 12, she worked out she could fasttrack it with a bridging course, and is now at university studying a Bachelor of Primary Teaching while many of her peers are still working their way through high school.
A proud Australian Muslim of Lebanese Palestinian background dedicated to advocating for her community. During Covid-19, she helped form the Muslim Women Australia’s Youth Advisory Committee to help address the issues young people were facing in the extended lockdown, particularly in Southwest Sydney.
A certified swim instructor, Khadijah also teaches swimming to women who have escaped domestic violence, contributing to their healing process. Across her various community roles, she mentors young girls using culturally and religiously inclusive mental health and leadership strategies.
The Sydney Metro City and Southwest project, developed over a decade, is set to transform Sydney’s public transport and reshape the city.
The team grappled with so many complex challenges to make it work – including tunneling below Sydney Harbour and skyscrapers, and building a new metro station beneath Central Station. Then there was Covid-19 and a change in government.
It couldn’t have been achieved without deep and sustained collaboration among the thousands of people working on the project, over that time, particularly from the core organisations including Sydney Metro, Northwest Rapid Transit, MTR Corporation and Metro Trains Sydney.
The project is already serving as an immediate catalyst for new housing around metro stations. It will be a huge economic enabler by boosting productivity, reducing road and rail congestion and encouraging business densification, as well as driving culture by providing better access to key nighttime economy centres.
By Football Australia
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 was more than a major sports event, it was a landmark project that demonstrated the power of sport to transform society.
Over the course of a month, two million fans attended games, with a global audience of two billion. The World Cup pumped $1.3 billion into the state’s economy and helped turn the Matildas into the nation’s leading sporting brand.
The event was spearheaded by Football Australia, which envisioned the tournament as an opportunity to inspire a generation, shift expectations around women’s sport, and reinforce Australia’s standing on the global stage. It shifted the culture of sport in Australia on its axis, driving a huge upsurge in women and girls playing sport and a fanbase for the Matildas and women’s sport in general.
Since the Women's World Cup, participation by women and girls in soccer increasing from 21% to 26% since 2021. Programs like MiniTillies have already seen a substantial increase in registrations, indicating a shift towards greater inclusivity and support for women’s football.
Meet our 2024 highly commended finalists for each category. Congratulations to all!
Student advocate and Project Officer, Muslim Women Australia
Khadijah couldn't wait to finish school and start studying to be a teacher, so instead of doing year 11 and 12, she worked out she could fasttrack it with a bridging course, and is now at university studying a Bachelor of Primary Teaching while many of her peers are still working their way through high school.
A proud Australian Muslim of Lebanese Palestinian background dedicated to advocating for her community. During Covid-19, she helped form the Muslim Women Australia’s Youth Advisory Committee to help address the issues young people were facing in the extended lockdown, particularly in Southwest Sydney.
A certified swim instructor, Khadijah also teaches swimming to women who have escaped domestic violence, contributing to their healing process. Across her various community roles, she mentors young girls using culturally and religiously inclusive mental health and leadership strategies.
CEO, Australian Museum
In 2014, Kim McKay AO became the first woman and non-scientist to lead the Australian Museum in its 190+ year history.
Under her leadership, the museum’s annual visitation soared from 340,000 to 1.5 million in FY23-24. Kim also brought the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition to Sydney, which hit records as the highest museum attendance in Sydney since the 1970s. Kim has also shaped the museum’s programming to advocate for climate solutions, highlight First Nations voices, and increase cultural outreach in the Pacific.
She champions equitable access to culture, providing free entry for close to 4500 students from schools in lower socioeconomic areas through the 'Day at the Museum' program. Kim has also significantly diversified the museum’s leadership, with women now making up two-thirds of the executive team, board of trustees, and staff.
CEO, City of Sydney
Monica’s almost two-decade tenure as CEO of the City of Sydney Council has been a transformative era for the city.
As well as overseeing major urban projects including Tramsheds and the pedestrianisation of George Street, Monica drove the 'Sustainable Sydney 2030' strategy that led City of Sydney to become the first government in Australia to achieve carbon neutral accreditation. She also played a key role in the renewal of Green Square, which includes constructing $550 million dollars of public infrastructure, parks and active transport.
Managing nearly 2000 staff is no easy feat – yet Monica’s strategy to advance women in leadership and promote full participation and pay equity has transformed City of Sydney into a high-performing employer of choice with a thriving culture of equity. Under her guidance, the City of Sydney has a gender pay gap of 7% in favour of women.
Project manager and PhD candidate, Sydney Seahorse Project, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, UTS
Mitchell Brennan, a 29-year-old scientist and PhD candidate, leads the Sydney Seahorse Project, which achieved a world record by releasing the highest number of baby seahorses into Sydney Harbour.
Brennan’s meticulous research has significantly improved the survival rates of captive-bred seahorses, contributing to the conservation of the endangered White’s seahorse. His research has been pivotal in developing evidence-based conservation methodologies, installing seahorse hotels, and restoring natural habitats. Brennan’s efforts extend to engaging the public and students, fostering the next generation of marine conservationists.
Additionally, Mitchell has played a key role in community engagement, leading public outreach efforts, organising community events, and involving citizen scientists in monitoring.
Founder & Director, Welcome Merchant
Marjorie launched Welcome Merchant in 2020 as an Instagram directory spotlighting refugee businesses. Despite limited funding and juggling it with a full-time job, she grew Welcome Merchant into a full-fledged social enterprise – hosting events like refugee-powered markets and dining pop-ups, leading a volunteer team, hosting skill-building workshops, and fundraising for new entrepreneurs.
Under her leadership, Welcome Merchant has raised $80,000+ for refugee business partners (many of them being small businesses in Sydney), donated $28,800+ to charities, and sold hundreds of hampers with products made by refugees.
She is a fierce mentor and advocate for the many entrepreneurs she works with, and continues to fight for social justice and the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Group Leader – Molecular Viral Hepatitis Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research
At 14, Dr Thomas Tu was diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B (HBV), an incurable viral liver infection that kills a million people every year. Now 38, he’s transformed his personal struggle into a driving force behind his dedication to find a cure for HBV.
As a researcher at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, his groundbreaking work includes understanding how the virus persists in the liver and linking viral forms to liver cancer risk. He also founded HepBcommunity.org, a global online platform providing support and mentorship, and Hepatitis B Voices Australia, an advocacy group amplifying HBV-affected voices.
Thomas' approach is shaped by both extensive scientific training and deep engagement with people affected by HBV, particularly in underserved communities. His work aims not just to increase scientific understanding but also to address the social stigma associated with HBV, advocating for a holistic approach to health equity.
White Bay has the subject of so many conceptual plans, none of which resulted in action, from Disneyland to a Googleplex.
However, a joint effort between Placemaking NSW and the Biennale of Sydney brought together experts in event planning, heritage conservation, urban planning and community engagement, to transform the long abandoned site.
This plan, which has preserved White Bay’s historical integrity while adapting it for the modern era, has culminated in its launch with the Biennale of Sydney. It showcased the site's potential as a premier venue, highlighting the successful partnership between Placemaking NSW and the Biennale of Sydney.
White Bay Power Station is now a focal point for the transformation of the Bays West precinct into a connected and vibrant new area for living, working and recreation.
The Sydney Metro City and Southwest project, developed over a decade, is set to transform Sydney’s public transport and reshape the city.
The team grappled with so many complex challenges to make it work – including tunneling below Sydney Harbour and skyscrapers, and building a new metro station beneath Central Station. Then there was Covid-19 and a change in government.
It couldn’t have been achieved without deep and sustained collaboration among the thousands of people working on the project, over that time, particularly from the core organisations including Sydney Metro, Northwest Rapid Transit, MTR Corporation and Metro Trains Sydney.
The project is already serving as an immediate catalyst for new housing around metro stations. It will be a huge economic enabler by boosting productivity, reducing road and rail congestion and encouraging business densification, as well as driving culture by providing better access to key nighttime economy centres.
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