Four women and a community organisation founded by women have been recognised at the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards, with honourees acknowledged for their work across health, community support, agriculture and advocacy.
The awards ceremony took place at the International Convention Centre Sydney and forms part of NSW Women’s Week, which runs from 2 March through to International Women’s Day on 8 March.
Leading cancer clinician and researcher Professor Tracey O’Brien received the NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence award. O’Brien, who serves as Chief Cancer Officer for New South Wales, has spent more than two decades working in cancer treatment and research while advocating for broader access to care. Her work focuses on improving outcomes for patients across diverse communities and strengthening collaboration between medical teams, researchers and policymakers.
O’Brien said she felt honoured to be recognised alongside other women working to improve lives across the state. Reflecting on her career in public health, she noted that cancer continues to affect families and communities despite advances in treatment. She credited the progress made in the field to the combined efforts of clinicians, researchers and the communities they serve.
The NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year title went to Adjunct Professor Nicole Turner, a Kamilaroi woman and chief executive of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council. Turner has worked in Aboriginal health for more than 30 years and supports Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across the state. She said the recognition reflects the contributions of Elders and community leaders who have supported Aboriginal leadership in health.
Turner said celebrating diverse role models can help young women and girls, particularly Aboriginal women, see new possibilities for themselves.
The NSW Community Hero award recognised the founders of Gidget Foundation Australia, a charity that supports parents facing perinatal depression and anxiety. The organisation was created more than two decades ago after the loss of Jacqueline Cotton’s sister, with the aim of ensuring families could access specialised mental health care during pregnancy and early parenthood.
Since its establishment, the foundation has grown to include 39 Gidget Houses across New South Wales. It has delivered more than 108,000 appointments to support over 12,700 families seeking help during difficult periods of early parenthood.
Speaking on behalf of the founding group, Jacqueline Cotton said the organisation began with a simple intention to ensure parents could find the right support when they needed it.
Regional advocacy was also recognised through the award for Regional Woman of the Year, which went to Jo Marshall. Marshall has been a driving force behind the Australian Agricultural Centre and its Women in AG program. Her work focuses on training and mentoring young people interested in agriculture while supporting leadership opportunities for women in rural areas.
Marshall said the award reflected the collective effort of regional communities that continue to invest in education, skills and opportunities for young people.
The Young Woman of the Year honour was presented to Milli Weaver, founder of the Australian Endometriosis Foundation. Weaver launched the organisation after sharing her own experience with endometriosis online while recovering in hospital. What began as a social media page has grown into a volunteer-run charity supporting young Australians dealing with the condition.
Weaver said the recognition offered an opportunity to continue raising awareness about menstrual health, chronic illness and fertility challenges faced by many young people.
Alongside the major awards, ten girls aged between seven and fifteen were recognised in the Ones to Watch category for acts of courage, resilience and kindness within their communities. Recipients included Imali Bamji, Piper Clarke, Hafsa Faizan, Emma Hoskins, Amalia Carolyn Howard, Elly Ings, Hannah Orr, Ruvi Pooliyadde, Shanvi Govinda Raju and Ivy Walker.
Members of the New South Wales Parliament also used the occasion to honour women in their local electorates through the Local Woman of the Year program, recognising contributions at the community level.
The Women of the Year awards program began in 2012 and continues to highlight achievements across public health, social advocacy, regional development and community service. Organisers say the annual event aims to recognise women and girls whose work strengthens communities throughout New South Wales.
Prue Car, Deputy Premier of New South Wales, said the award recipients reflect the dedication and leadership found across communities throughout the state.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the awards offer an opportunity to highlight individuals whose work encourages others and helps build a more inclusive future.
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