Five exceptional women from across New South Wales have been celebrated as recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 at a ceremony held this morning at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. This prestigious event is the centerpiece of NSW Women’s Week, which runs from Sunday, 2 March, and concludes on International Women’s Day on Saturday, 8 March.
The NSW Women of the Year Awards recognize outstanding women for their contributions in a variety of fields, and this year’s awardees have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in their respective domains.
The 2025 Award Recipients:
Dr. Jessica Luyue Teoh (Hornsby) – NSW Young Woman of the Year
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.
Sandy Rogers (Tweed) – NSW Community Hero
Sandy Rogers has dedicated 40 years to improving the lives of children with intellectual and physical disabilities and their families.
In 1977, Sandy’s son was born with cerebral palsy and other major health issues. Sadly, Sandy lost her son when he was 10 years old. He taught her the meaning of unconditional love and was the inspiration for her commitment to helping others.
As Vice President of the Tweed Kids in Need charity, Sandy fundraises to support those needing essential equipment or treatment, ensuring their lives are made a little easier. Sandy recently founded the Tweed Branch of Can Assist, a charity providing financial support to cancer patients.
Dr. Vanessa Pirotta (Canada Bay) – Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence
Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist renowned for her impact on marine conservation and science communication.
Vanessa’s work focuses on integrating community engagement and science to enhance conservation efforts. She leads Wild Sydney Harbour, a citizen science initiative connecting the NSW public with marine environments. Her work with the Gamay Rangers in Gamay (Botany Bay) combines Indigenous knowledge with Western science, supporting the monitoring of whales, fur seals and dolphins.
Vanessa’s outreach spans all ages, from encouraging environmental stewardship on Play School to promoting STEM careers in schools. Recognised with the Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize, Vanessa is a key figure in environmental conservation, empowering future rangers and scientists.
Kirsty Evans (Orange) – NSW Regional Woman of the Year
Kirsty Evans has led efforts to provide pro bono legal advice to the community of Molong after it was affected by severe flooding in 2022. Kirsty has dedicated over 250 hours helping 12 business owners, delivering over $100,000 in legal services pro bono.
Her advocacy has resulted in claims that were originally denied by insurers being overturned, with insurers partially accepting liability. Through her leadership, approximately $1 million has been returned to the community.
In 2024, Kirsty presented evidence at the Parliamentary Inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims, exposing systemic failures and advocating for better practices. The inquiry adopted several of Kirsty’s findings in its recommendations.
Marjorie Anderson (Georges River) – NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
Marjorie Anderson is a dedicated leader who is committed to her community. Under her leadership, 13YARN – the first national crisis support service for Indigenous peoples – received 50,000 calls in just 2 years. Marjorie’s approach involves codesigning the service with community, ensuring it meets their needs. This has included ensuring all 13YARN employees are Indigenous people, fostering culturally relevant services.
She has previously held roles at the Aboriginal Housing Office and various government organisations and is recognised for her commitment to cultural education.
Marjorie has won several awards for her work in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and was recently promoted to Head of Indigenous Affairs for Lifeline Australia.
The Ones to Watch (Girls Aged 7-15 Years)
A group of remarkable young women was also recognized for their achievements and inspiring contributions to their communities. Among them are Aish Khurram, Ashleen Khela, and Waniya Syed, who are of South Asian heritage. These three, along with other exceptional leaders like Aurora Iler, Chloe Croker, Jiayi Fang, Kat Mulcair, Hayley Paterson, Lydia Tofaeono, and Emilia Trustum, have demonstrated outstanding leadership and promise in various fields.
- Aurora Iler
- Chloe Croker
- Jiayi Fang
- Kat Mulcair
- Hayley Paterson
- Waniya Syed
- Lydia Tofaeono
- Emilia Trustum
At just 11, Ashleen Khela authored the multi-story fiction book 17 Stories to raise funds for charities. Published in 2023, the book draws inspiration from her life, offering morals for young readers. Ashleen is among the youngest published authors in Australia.
Determined to support the project herself, Ashleen raised funds by recycling bottles and cans and selling plants. All proceeds from the book benefit the Cancer Council of Australia, Starlight Children’s Foundation and underprivileged children globally. She has also donated copies to over 180 libraries across Australia.
Ashleen’s second book, Journey Through Her Jersey, was published in late 2024. It highlights women’s empowerment and raises awareness about gender inequality.
Since the age of 3, Aish Khurram has devoted herself to kindness projects, completing thousands of initiatives and touching countless lives. Beyond her regular intergenerational projects, Aish has designed numerous innovative initiatives such as TikToks with the elderly, the ‘Share My Journey’ project, and the digitisation of kindness cards for YouTube shorts, boosting outreach.
Aish has engaged with 112 nursing homes through art clubs, intergenerational activities and special events. She also supports people experiencing homelessness, the elderly, underprivileged children, essential workers, and other vulnerable groups locally and overseas.
Recognised as The Hills Shire 2024 Youth Citizen of the Year, Aish continues to inspire others through her compassion and leadership.
Waniya Syed is dedicated to improving the lives of others. She has volunteered in soup kitchens, organised food drives, and raised funds for education and water wells, demonstrating her commitment to those in need.
Her work with the homeless provides essential support, offering not only food but compassion to vulnerable community members. Through her Ramadan Food Drive and Toy Collection, Waniya brings relief and joy to refugees and underprivileged children.
Waniya’s education fundraising campaigns empower disadvantaged children in Pakistan, particularly girls, fostering hope for a better future. Additionally, her efforts during the bushfire crisis and initiative in building water wells reflect her determination to make a positive impact.
A special In Memoriam was held for Maddy Suy, a vibrant young girl who inspired many with her positive outlook during her battle with a brain tumor. Maddy’s legacy continues through her advocacy for others, and her organization, Maddy & Co, is dedicated to supporting those in need.
Local Women of the Year Recognition
In addition to the main awards, several Local Women of the Year recipients were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to their communities. These local heroes were nominated by their local MPs and received certificates for their exceptional service.
Acknowledging the Contributions of Women
Premier Chris Minns praised the achievements of this year’s honorees, saying, “I’m delighted to congratulate NSW’s most remarkable women and girls, for breaking barriers and achieving the highest success in their respective fields. You are the future of NSW, inspiring everyone right across the state.”
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison also expressed her pride in celebrating the accomplishments of these extraordinary women. “The New South Wales Government is proud to celebrate your incredible success and highlight your role in inspiring other women and girls across the state,” she said. “You are paving the way forward for future generations with your strength, resilience, and achievements.”
Words from the Award Recipients
Each of the recipients shared their thoughts on receiving such a prestigious recognition:
- NSW Young Woman of the Year 2025 Dr. Jessica Teoh said, “To stand alongside such a diverse and passionate group of women is truly inspiring. This recognition highlights the collective strength of women driving change, and I am grateful to be part of this incredible journey.”
- NSW Community Hero 2025 Sandy Rogers added, “Being able to support those needing a ‘little helping hand’ means so much. It makes me feel good knowing I can make a difference when times are tough.”
- Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence 2025 Dr. Vanessa Pirotta said, “This recognition is powerful for me as a researcher and a mum. It helps encourage communities to connect with the sea and inspires the next generation to learn more about our marine environment.”
- NSW Regional Woman of the Year 2025 Kirsty Evans expressed, “This recognition reflects the incredible support I’ve received from my community, colleagues, and family.”
- NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 2025 Marjorie Anderson shared, “Women need to be recognized for the outstanding work they do, and supported to continue achieving greatness. This award reflects my work in supporting Indigenous communities.”
The NSW Women of the Year Awards continue to highlight the incredible achievements of women who are making an impact in various sectors, paving the way for future generations of leaders.
