Five of the state’s most exceptional women have been honoured as recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney this week.
The NSW Women of the Year Awards have been running since 2012, recognising and celebrating New South Wales’s revolutionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates, and innovative role models.
The five 2025 Award recipients are:
- Dr Jessica Luyue Teoh (Hornsby), NSW Young Woman of the Year
- Dr Jessica Luyue Teoh is a domestic violence advocate and 2023 Churchill Fellow – one of only two women under 30 in Australia to receive this honour.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, affected by severe flooding in 2022.
- Marjorie Anderson (Georges River), NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
- Marjorie Anderson is a dedicated leader who has been pivotal in the success of 13YARN – the first national crisis support service for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis, since its inception.
“Congratulations to the recipients of the NSW Women of the Year Awards. You are truly deserving of the recognition you received today. 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,” Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said.
Local Woman of the Year 2025 recipients, who were nominated by their local MP, also attended the awards ceremony and received certificates for exemplary service to their communities.
Sally Cronberger, a charity stalwart and beloved volunteer, was named Tamworth’s Local Woman of the Year. The former Volunteer of the Year in 2020 was warmly praised online for being very deserving of the honour, and always the first to lend a hand.
Ms Penny Lamaro, the chief executive officer at the Women’s Shelter Armidale, has been named the Northern Tablelands Electorate Local Woman of the Year for 2025. The community-owned crisis service provides essential support to women fleeing violence in regional NSW.
As part of her role, Ms Lamaro has introduced several vital initiatives, including a free meals project, a health clinic, and a birth certificate and ID program. She is also leading the development of Armidale’s Youth Hub, a space designed to provide safety and support for young people.
“Penny has worked tirelessly at bettering the lives of people from all different backgrounds,” Mr Moylan said. “She has never sought recognition for her work; she just wants to better people’s lives.”
Ms Lamaro said she was humbled by the award and viewed it as recognition of the many people working behind the scenes to strengthen the community.
“It is a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate all of the work that gets done behind the scenes and the people, like my team, who dedicate massive chunks of their time, their energy and their life to make our community strong, to make our community feel safer and feel supported,” she said.
Ms Lamaro was also named a finalist in the NSW Regional Woman of the Year category.
Sally Edwards has been named the Barwon Woman of the Year for 2025, recognised for her dedication to community service.
Barwon MP Roy Butler praised Ms Edwards for her contributions across multiple areas, including environmental conservation, youth engagement, and community development.
“A true advocate for positive change, Sal’s passion for her rural community shines through in everything she does,” he said. “She has undeniably impacted many areas, from environmental conservation and youth engagement to community development and support programs.”
Ms Edwards, who is also the Libertarian Party candidate for Parkes, expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
“A sincere thank you to Roy Butler MP and his team for the recognition, and to all the wonderful people in our rural communities who too wear many hats and give of themselves, each and every year, thank you,” she said.
“There are so many of you, and you all help to make our communities truly unique and incredibly special.”
More details about the NSW Women of the Year Awards program and recorded livestream of 2025 ceremony are available here.
Top image: Minister for Women Jodie Harrison (L), Barwon Woman of the Year Sally Edwards (C) and Member for Barwon Roy Butler (R) at the awards ceremony this week.
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