Nicole Yade, CEO of the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC), has been named Unsung Hero at the 2025 Sydney Awards.  

“It was once me coming into the refuge – homeless and fleeing domestic violence with my baby girl – so I’m always thinking about what it means for the women and children coming in today,” she said.  

“My own experiences really helped me to understand what’s not working about the systems that should be in place to protect us, and it made me want to do something so that other people don’t go through the same things.”  

Every night the team at WAGEC helps more than 200 women and children who are in the middle of live situations – often coming from the hospital or police station – that make it unsafe for them to go home. Led by Nicole, WAGEC helps these women rebuild their lives and start a new chapter.  

The Committee for Sydney’s Unsung Hero Award, supported by Endeavour Energy, celebrates those who work tirelessly, without anywhere near enough recognition, to make Sydney a little bit better every day.  

Eamon Waterford, CEO of the Committee for Sydney, said: “The work Nicole does is phenomenal, and that’s something worth recognising and celebrating. But really, the true impact of her work can’t be measured in accolades – it’s in the safety of a home rebuilt, a life reclaimed and a future made possible.”  

“Domestic and family violence in Australia is an epidemic, the onus is on all of us to put an end to it. Government, businesses, schools and local communities have to work together to rewrite the narrative and stop domestic violence at the source.” 

Francoise Merit, Chief Financial Officer for Endeavour Energy, said: “Endeavour Energy powers the lives of more than 2.8 million people across Greater Western Sydney, the Illawarra and the South Coast. But beyond electricity, we believe in powering our communities for a brighter future, supporting community potential, and celebrating the quiet achievers who show up every day, not for the spotlight, but for the difference they make in people’s lives.” 

“We’d like to congratulate and thank Nicole for her tireless work she and her team at WAGEC do every day to support hundreds of women and children to have a safer, brighter and hope filled future. We’d also like to congratulate and thank the finalists in the Unsung Hero Award, for their work in making Sydney a stronger, more resilient and connected city.”

Professor Leonie Tickle, Executive Dean of Macquarie Business School, said: “Nicole Yade’s unwavering commitment to social justice and her transformative leadership have changed countless lives, especially those of women and children facing great adversity. She exemplifies the power of lived experience and compassion to drive real, lasting change.” 

WAGEC has also introduced the From Now program, working with pregnant women exiting incarceration to give them a safe place to have their baby, and help them at the crossroad to a brighter future.  

Jenny Holmes, From Now Project Lead at WAGEC, said: “Nicole is a force of nature. I have not met anyone that is as passionate and driven as her.”  

“We worked together prior to WAGEC and when she called me up and offered me the role with From Now there was no hesitation. I would follow her anywhere.”  

Nicole’s overwhelming message is clear: “We don’t have to accept domestic violence in our communities, it is something we can change, but it is going to take more people caring about these things to make a difference.” 

“The women and children that we work with have the answers. I think it’s more a question of are we listening.” 

Designed to celebrate people whose efforts make Sydney the greatest city in the world, there are five categories: Sydneysider of the Year, Young Sydneysider of the Year, Project of the Year, Local Project of the Year, and Unsung Hero. 

The judging panel for the awards included:  

• Kate Russell, CEO of Supply Nation  

• Chris Minns, Premier of NSW  

• Beau Neilson, Owner and Operator of The Vanguard  

• Mark Speakman, NSW Liberal Leader  

• Usman Iftikhar, CEO of Catalysr  

• Gabrielle Trainor AO, Pro Chancellor of Western Sydney University  

• Professor Leonie Tickle, Executive Dean of Macquarie Business School  

• Nicholas Hansen, Deputy Editor of The Daily Telegraph 

• Christine Covington, Consultant and Head of Gender Equality at Corrs Chambers Westgarth 

• Gail Connolly PSM, CEO of City of Parramatta.  

The Sydney Awards are supported by major partner Macquarie Business School, media partner The Daily Telegraph, and award sponsors Aurecon, Australian Unity, Aqualand, Coles, Endeavour Energy and KPMG.