The awards acknowledge the contribution women have made to the Greater Geelong community and in particular the impact they have made to promote and advocate for the advancement of gender equality.

The four categories are:

1. Leadership and Advocacy
2. First Nations Woman
3. Human Rights
4. Strengthening Healthy Communities

Award details

The Women in Community Life Awards were presented at our 2025 International Women’s Day event on Wednesday 5 March 2025.

As well as the accolades and recognition, the award winners received a beautiful Wathaurong Glass artwork and $500. 

Key selection criteria

Nominations will be assessed on the following key criteria:

• Impact on the Greater Geelong community
• Contribution to gender equality, women’s participation, representation and leadership
• Leader and role model for women and girls
• Contribution related to the award category (refer to category for details).

Eligibility and nomination

1. To be eligible for an award the nominee must live, work or study in the Greater Geelong region.
2. The nominee can be anyone who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person.
3. You can nominate an organisation or community group that is based in the Greater Geelong region.
4. Previous winners of an award category are not eligible for nomination in the same category.
5. Nominators can only nominate each nominee in one award category.
6. Nominees must be at least 15 years old to be nominated.
7. Current City of Greater Geelong staff members are not eligible to be nominated.

Nominations are now closed. 

Need to know more...

For further information, or for assistance in completing the nomination form, please email [email protected].

Award categories

1. Women in Community Life Award for Leadership and Advocacy 

This award acknowledges the achievements and leadership of an individual, organisation or community group living or working in Geelong who have contributed to advancing or advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

Examples may include:

• Delivering bold, transformative ideas and projects to progress gender equality
• Raising local awareness of gender equality and women’s rights
• Advancing the position for women and girls in relation to clever and creative opportunities, including mentorship, digital platforms, social enterprise, and community activism
• Promotion and inclusion of women’s participation in public life through advancing equal representation on boards, government bodies and educational institutions.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be a person who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person who lives, works or studies in the Greater Geelong region.
• If you are nominating an organisation or community group for this award, they must be based in the Greater Geelong region.

[Back to category list]
 

2. Women in Community Life Award for a First Nations Woman

This award acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women living and/or working in Geelong, whose leadership and advocacy have improved the lives of people from their community.

The nomination must clearly demonstrate how the nominee has contributed to the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Greater Geelong region.

Examples might include:

• cultural activities
• advocating for human rights and self-determination
• promoting health and education
• campaigning and advocacy
• leadership
• youth work
• community development.

Eligibility

• The nominee must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• The nominee must be a person who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person who lives, works or studies in the Greater Geelong region.
• If you are nominating an organisation or community group for this award, they must be based in the Greater Geelong region.
• Previous winners of this award are not eligible for nomination in the same category.

[Back to category list] 

3.  Women in Community Life Award for Human Rights

This award acknowledges the achievements of women or local organisations in the promotion, advancement and demonstration of advocacy for human rights.

The nomination must clearly show how the nominee has worked or volunteered in the area of human rights within the Greater Geelong region.

Examples may include:

• actions to address and call out discrimination
• encouraging greater social harmony within the community in areas such as race relations, gender equality and the treatment of children and young people
• increasing awareness of injustice or discrimination
• activities aimed to promote social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion

Eligibility

• The nominee must be a person who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person who lives, works or studies in the Greater Geelong region.
• If you are nominating an organisation or community group for this award, they must be based in the Greater Geelong region.
• Previous winners of this award are not eligible for nomination in the same category.

[Back to category list]
 

4. Women in Community Life Award for Strengthening Healthy Communities 

This award acknowledges the achievements of women or local organisations in contributing to an inclusive and healthier Geelong community.  

Examples may include:

• Creating opportunities where people can maximise their health and wellbeing.
• Hosting activities that create and improve social connectedness, improved mental health and wellbeing
• leading health promotion activities that have led to community connectedness and/or improved health outcomes
• raising awareness of key women’s health issues, including mental health and sexual and reproductive health
• increasing gender equity in sports and increasing participation of women and girls in physical activity
• supporting women who are survivors of domestic and family violence and advocating for the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Eligibility

• The nominee must be a person who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person who lives, works or studies in the Greater Geelong region.
• If you are nominating an organisation or community group for this award, they must be based in the Greater Geelong region