White Pages® News

Inspirational Australian women honored with top business nod

November 14, 2011

Image: 

A woman supporting the 15,000 NSW police protecting the community and  a heath professional bolstering Western Australia’s nursing workforce are just some of the inspiring individuals honoured in this year’s Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

Since 1994, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards have celebrated some of Australia’s most amazing women and shared their inspirational stories with the country.

For the past three years White Pages® has sponsored the Community and Government Award, which recognises women who excel in government, statutory bodies or not-for-profit groups.

With state finalists announced over the past two months, White Pages® is celebrating the eight new exceptional women who took out this category, with some going on to win the overall state Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award as well.

Catherine Burn achieved dual award success in NSW for her role as deputy commissioner for Corporate Services in the NSW Police Service. Catherine has been celebrated for her ethics and community commitment and is responsible for ensuring the state’s 15,806 police have the resources and capacity to do their jobs.

Western Australia’s chief nurse and midwifery officer Catherine Stoddart is the second candidate to take out both accolades for her role leading the state’s nursing sector, attracting more people in to the profession, particularly those of Aboriginal heritage.

Queensland’s Dimity Dornan AM was recognised in both categories for her work establishing the Hear and Say Centre. The Centre helps deaf children hear through early diagnosis, advanced hearing technology and therapy, helping around 500 children and their families a year across five Queensland centres.

Another winner from the health sector was Victoria’s Shelly Park of Southern Health in Clayton. Shelly was recognised in both categories for her work growing the health service as chief executive, increasing care funding by 44 per cent.

Last but not least, Robyn Walker, director-general of health for the Royal Australian Navy, is recognised with the delight of the double awards for her tireless work in the armed forces.

All of these women now compete for the national Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award, to be announced on November 18 2011, at a gala dinner in Melbourne.

Other White Pages® Community and Government Award winners include South Australia’s Fiona Godfrey, Principal of St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School, the Northern Territory’s Priscilla Collins, Chief Executive of Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and Tasmania’s Donna Bain, General Manager of not-for-profit organization, Self Help Workshop.

Congratulations to these inspiring women and all Telstra Business Women’s Awards winners from White Pages®.