Two of Armidale’s most inspirational women are on the shortlist to win NSW Women of the year awards.
UNE Professor Annette Cowie has been nominated for NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence. She is a globally recognised climate scientist whose research focuses on managing the climate impact of agriculture through bioenergy, biochar and sustainable land management. As Principal Research Scientist in Climate at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Adjunct Professor at the University of New England, she contributes significantly to climate policy and greenhouse gas accounting.
Women’s Shelter Armidale CEO Penny Lamaro has been nominated for Regional Woman of the Year. She leads an innovative, community-owned crisis service supporting women fleeing violence in regional NSW. She has established a free meals project, a health clinic within the shelter, a birth certificate and ID program for community and much more. After bringing global experts to Armidale for a conference in 2024 on Young People doing it tough she is now spearheading the opening of Armidale’s Youth Hub, providing a safe space for young people and the community.
They were among thirty of the most inspirational women and girls across NSW were today announced as finalists for Women of the Year Awards 2025.
The awards program, now in its 13th year, aims to recognise and celebrate revolutionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and innovative role models.
Award categories include:
- NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence
- NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
- NSW Regional Woman of the Year
- NSW Community Hero
- NSW Young Woman of the Year (ages 16-30 years)
- Ones to Watch (ages 7-15 years)
The Women of the Year Awards ceremony is the centrepiece event of NSW Women’s Week 2025, a week-long celebration from Sunday 2 March until Saturday 8 March. The Awards are the NSW Government’s way of shining the light on the incredible talent and extraordinary women and girls from across our state.
Women of the Year award recipients will be revealed at the Women of the Year Awards 2025 ceremony on Thursday, 6 March at the International Convention Centre, Sydney. The Award ceremony will be livestreamed for everyone to celebrate these inspirational women and girls.
For more information about the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025, go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/awards-and-events/nsw-women-of-year-awards.
“The incredible group of 2025 finalists reflect how exceptional the women of New South Wales truly are,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“From doctors, academics and scientists to community leaders and advocates – each and every one of our finalists have gone above and beyond in their respective fields.
“On behalf of the NSW Government and our community, I congratulate each of the finalists, for you are all deserving of this recognition.”
The Women of the Year 2025 finalists are (by Local Government Area):
NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence
- Professor Annette Cowie (Armidale)
- Mariam Mohammed (Newcastle)
- Dr Vanessa Pirotta (Canada Bay)
- Karen Robinson-Iles (Sydney)
NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
- Marjorie Anderson (George’s River)
- Aunty Fay Green (Walgett)
- Lisa Sarago (Bayside)
- Robyn Taylor (Penrith)
- Aunty Rhonda Towney (Parkes)
NSW Regional Woman of the Year
- Kate Cleary (Hilltops)
- Kirsty Evans (Orange)
- Jan Frikken (Eurobodalla)
- Penny Lamaro (Armidale)
NSW Community Hero
- Ennia Jones (Newcastle)
- Kelly Lamb (Port Macquarie-Hastings)
- Mona Mahamed (Canterbury-Bankstown)
- Sandy Rogers (Tweed)
NSW Young Woman of the Year (ages 16-30 years)
- Yeon Jae Kim (Hornsby)
- Zara Seidler (Woollahra)
- Jessica Luyue Teoh (Hornsby)
Ones to Watch (ages 7-15 years)
- Chloe Croker (Goulburn Mulwaree)
- Jiayi Fang (Ku-ring-gai)
- Aurora Iler (Campbelltown)
- Ashleen Khela (The Hills Shire)
- Aish Khurram (Hornsby)
- Kat Mulcair (Yass Valley)
- Hayley Paterson (The Hills Shire)
- Waniya Syed (Camden)
- Lydia Tofaeono (Strathfield)
- Emilia Trustum (Richmond Valley)
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