Vote now: NT News Woman of the Year finalists 2024 named
These 27 women who work, volunteer and live in regions across the Territory were selected from 191 nominees for going above and beyond to make our community a better place. SEE THE LIST AND VOTE NOW.
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From educators to industry leaders, and those who go above and beyond to help others, 27 inspirational Northern Territory women have been selected as finalists in the inaugural NT News Woman of the Year awards.
These women who work, volunteer and live in regions right across the Territory from Darwin to Arnhem Land and the Red Centre, were selected from 191 nominees by a panel of judges for going above and beyond to make our community a better place.
All finalists in each category go into a ‘People’s Choice’ award – voted by ntnews.com.au readers – and the top honour of ‘Woman of the Year’.
In the People’s Choice category, brought to you by the Northern Territory Government, the NT community holds the power to determine this winner through their votes, making this a truly empowering opportunity for all to recognise and celebrate the exceptional individuals who are making a difference.
Voting is open now and closes at 11.59pm on Friday, May 3.
A luncheon and awards ceremony to reveal the winners will be held at Mindil Beach Casino Resort on Friday, May 10 from midday to 3pm.
Tickets are available for purchase here.
Read about the finalists and cast your vote below now.
Angels Among Us
For the selfless who devote time and energy to helping others for no attention or reward – sponsored by Power and Water Corporation.
Caroline Thompson
Caroline is the volunteer leader of the Australian Military Wives Choir Darwin, responsible for planning and running rehearsals once a fortnight for women who have a connection to the Australian Defence Force or a foreign Defence Force.
Caroline also volunteers her time as an adult leader with the Alawa Scout Group and has also volunteered for organisations and events such as Kindness Shake and Kindness Festival, Darwin Chorale, Darwin Festival, Oz Run and Superstar Productions.
Caroline also champions women in her workplace also – the Charles Darwin University Careers Centre.
She coordinates the Women in Trades Mentoring Program for female trade apprentices, as well as the Women in STEM Mentoring Program for female students studying a Bachelor or Masters Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, IT or Health Sciences.
If that wasn’t enough, Caroline is currently studying to become a qualified career practitioner.
Danielle Phillips
For the past six years, nurse and mother-of-five Danielle has dedicated her time not only as a volunteer but as the Territory representative for Heartfelt Australia.
Heartfelt, which provides its services free of charge, is a volunteer organisation of professional photographers dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families who have experienced stillbirth, or have children with serious or life threatening illness.
After dropping everything to be by their side and provide her services, Danielle sits with the families, cries with them, hugs them and takes photos for them.
She also organises tiny beanies and toys for the tiny babies.
Outside of her volunteer work, Danielle is a full time theatre nurse at Royal Darwin Hospital while also undertaking post graduate studies.
Professor Dianne Stephens
As the Foundation Dean of the CDU Menzies School of Medicine, Professor Stephens has provided leadership in best practice care for the critically ill, built a research program, started an organ donation agency and contributed to improving patient care throughout the hospital system.
She is working to advocate for government supported places for medical students to further the NT’s medical workforce.
Lan Anh Dam (Anna)
Anna founded and leads the Australian Vietnamese Family Association (AVFA), which is a non profit organisation aimed at connecting cultures, creating opportunities, and helping Vietnamese residents who are new to Australia.
Anna has led and been involved in a number of events for the Vietnamese community in Darwin, including the Tet Festival and the Full Moon festival.
Her work with AVFA also extends to providing support and resources to Vietnamese women facing domestic violence.
She has organised workshops and counselling sessions for these women, offering them a safe space to seek help and guidance.
Outside of her work with the AVFA, Anna is a translator and team leader working with Centrelink.
Champions of Education
For those who are more than a teacher passionate for education and support of youth – sponsored by GTNT Group.
Ruth Wallace
Ruth has been involved in Vocational Education and Training across regional and remote WA, QLD and NT for many years,
Her work focuses on the needs of learners in regional areas and explores links between identity, marginalised learners and the development of effective learning and workforce pathways.
In 2016, Ruth became the first female Australian researcher to be awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agriculture and Life Sciences.
She has held roles such as director of the Northern Institute and Dean for the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society and Education at Charles Darwin University.
She has been Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Arts and Society since 2022, encompassing both the abovementioned portfolios as well as the Asia Pacific College of Business and Law.
Pam Dillon
Pam is theBarkly Region Sport Education co-ordinator.
In her role, she travels to 22 remote community schools and organises regional inter-school sporting events.
She goes above and beyond to encourage participation, securing accommodation for students and staff and providing catering by personally cooking for more than 100 people at times.
Pam also seeks out funding to allow students and teams to compete at interstate and regional events, due to the high cost of travel.
Pam has also grown the number of girls participating in school sport through initiatives such as developing a softball competition for girls and introducing canoeing to schools close to waterholes within the Barkly.
She has secured $20,000 to cover costs for water safety and swimming lessons for remote students and to cover costs at the Barkly Region Interschool Swimming Carnival.
Pam also teaches first aid to staff during school visits.
Professor Heidi Smith-Vaughan
Professor Smith-Vaughan is a health scientist and educator at Menzies School of Health Research.
For the past three decades, she has trained, educated, and supported generations of health scientists to develop critically needed microbiology skills for the NT health system to address priority infectious conditions.
Outside of her research work, Professor Smith-Vaughan leads outreach and health education programs and in 2014 co-founded the Menzies HealthLAB.
Four years ago she co-founded the Ramaciotti Regional and Remote Health Sciences Training Centre, which has supported more than 180 youth into entering the NT health sector.
Rachel Thorne
A mother of five, Rachel moved from New Zealand to Maningrida – an area known for its unique challenges and opportunities – to pursue her career in education.
Fore more than a decade, she has dedicated herself to educating and inspiring students in diverse communities throughout the Northern Territory.
During her time in Maningrida, Rachel implemented a new maths curriculum in the primary sector.
She has since relocated to Gunbalanya School in Arnhem Land as the head Families as First Teachers program educator.
Outside of her FaFT role, which is designed to engage Indigenous families with education and self-care in remote communities, Rachel does whatever it takes to seek donations of clothes and supplies for babies, children and ladies in the community.
On numerous occasions she has paid for charter flights out of the community, or driven seven hour round trips, to ensure families and children have access to basic supplies.
She has faced tragedy in her role, such as the time she lost of one her students in a crocodile attack.
Rachel also brings the community together by organising sporting trips for students and events for community members.
Champions of Sport
For the backbone or local sport dedicated to organising or volunteering or simply achieving on the field or in play – sponsored by Steeline GRP.
Liz Cruse
As the sole female sports radio presenter on the ABC Territory Grandstand NTFL football show, Liz is a champion of women’s sport.
She has been involved in the NTAFL community for more than 15 years as a former player, coach, volunteer administrator and AFLNT media team staffer.
She was honoured as a life member of St Mary’s Football Club in 2023 and is a staunch advocate for the growth of the game, particularly the women’s competition.
Outside of the NTAFL, Liz volunteers for the Nightcliff Dragons Rugby League Club and the Nightcliff Tigers Junior Netball Club.
Sharon Freeman
For the past 20 years, Sharon has been involved in the Territory netball community.
From running coaching clinics and developing young players to coaching at the highest level and co-ordinating coaching for Darwin Netball Association, Sharon has grown the game significantly.
Sharon has taken teams to multiple interstate and regional competitions with great success.
She also runs her own netball coaching business CatchIT and sponsors events and clinics.
Jackie Edwards
A legend on the Territory sporting scene, Jackie, fondly referred to as ‘Aunty Jackie’, has been a volunteer with the Nightcliff Dragons Rugby League Club for more than 50 years.
Aged in her 70s, Aunty Jackie works hard behind the scenes as a volunteer, doing everything from organising sponsorships to cooking dinners for the teams.
Bianca Scrymgour
As a volunteer coach and mentor, Bianca dedicates her time to encouraging junior female inclusion in rugby league.
A talented player herself, she has captained numerous NT representative teams and now gives back through coaching.
Bianca is a member of the NRLNT Women in League committee and in this role helps with the planning and implementation of game growth and expansion and will this year act in the head coach role to the U18 girls rep team.
As a proud Indigenous woman, she also promotes Indigenous participation in both league and union.
Last year, she was assistant coach of the Australian Prime Minister’s Jillaroos team.
First Nations Person
Recognising significant achievement made by First Nations women across all sectors of the community – sponsored by McArthur River Mining, a Glencore company.
Dr Donna Odegaard AM
A Larrakia Traditional Owner, Dr Odegaard is an advocate for land rights and native title and has been a successful businesswoman in a range of sectors for the past 40 years.
She has been awarded an Order of Australia, Indigenous Alumni Award, Honorary Doctor of Letters, Naming Lady and Commissioning Lady for HMAS Larrakia for her tireless work.
Dr Odegaard is co-chair on the Trans Tasman Indigenous Trade Partnership and champion for
Indigenous women and girls, global First Nations relations and trade and economic development.
Her media business, First Nations Broadcasting Australia, is the largest privately owned media network in Australia and broadcasts to 2300 Indigenous communities across the country in more than 30 Indigenous languages.
Nicole Brown
From supporting cultural revitalisation efforts to educational initiatives, proud Larrakia woman Nicole dedicates her life to empowering First Nations voices across the Territory and further afield.
Her dedication to her work and advocacy earned her the 2022 City of Darwin Citizen of the Year award and the 2022 Darwin Community NAIDOC Volunteer of the Year award.
She champions First Nations businesses and is the founder of the Indigenous Women’s Network, a place where women can come together to explore leadership, empowerment and much more.
Nicole is a regular speaker at Territory events and dedicates her time to mentoring youth, supporting elders and promoting opportunities in the First Nations women’s space.
Professor Jaquelyne Hughes
Professor Hughes, a Gumugul Woman of Wagadagam tribe, Mabuiag Island in Torres Strait, has been living on Larrakia country for many years now and has had a lasting impact on the Territory community.
Along with being Australia’s first Indigenous nephrologist, she was the inaugural Clinical Research Professor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advancement and Matthew Flinders Professor (Medical Education) at Flinders University in the NT.
She was recently awarded the prestigious National Cranlana Research Leadership Award by the Lowitja Institute in 2023 and is a former Top End NAIDOC Person of the Year.
Much of her work focuses on advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ kidney health and she is internationally recognised for her work in this area.
Jocelyn Dhu
Born and raised in Alice Springs, Jocelyn is the deputy chief executive officer at Drug and Alcohol Services Australia.
The mother of three and proud Arrernte and Banyjima woman has worked at DASA for more than 10 years and was previously in roles with Territory Families and Community Corrections.
Outside of her work, Jocelyn volunteers on the boards of both the YMCA NT and the Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia and has delivered the Drink and Drug Driver Course in Alice Springs and other remote NT communities for many years.
For 10 years she has also supported the work of the Suicide Story project.
Industry Professionals
For ladies at the top of their field and leaders, working across all industries including resources, construction, finance, ICT, real estate, legal services or medical – sponsored by NEC
Shannon Kieran
Working in a male-dominated industry, Shannon is an award-winning structural engineer, youth leader, lecturer and STEM advocate.
The CDU graduate has provided structural design and leadership services through Aurecon for more than 60 significant projects.
These projects include the Gapuwiyak Cultural and Art Centre, Macquarie Island Research Station, CDU Education and Community Precinct and Banksian House Restoration.
Shannon also holds numerous industry leadership positions and volunteers to empower other young women.
In 2018 she developed a program that reached more than 500 middle school students across Darwin and Alice Springs within its first year.
She has been a member of the Engineers Australia Northern Division Committee since 2021 as well as the NT Science Week Committee and the CDU Course Advisory Group.
Ruth Palmer
As the Property Council executive director, Ruth is leading voice for the Northern Territory.
In her role, she tackles issues ranging from housing to population, crime and growing the economy.
The mother-of-two advocates for the community through government engagement and is on 10 boards and committees including Inpex Business Advisory Group, Activate Darwin and the Community Reference Group for Darwin Regional Water Supply.
She is the vice chair of Neighbourhood Watch NT and champions women in her role on the Tradewomans Australia board.
She has also raised more than $25,000 for Mates in Construction and slept rough at the Fannie Bay Gaol to raise money for the homeless.
Fransisca Tenorio
Working in the health and research sectors, Fransisca is a mother of two young children, both with special needs.
She is the nurse management co-ordinator Policy and Strategic Projects at NT Health Clinical Innovation and Research Unit.
She has more than 10 years of clinical nursing experience and managed international randomised clinical trials at the Menzies School of Health Research, focusing on improving lung health in Aboriginal children.
Fransisca has been instrumental in establishing the NT Health Research Governance Office, ensuring research within NT Health adheres to local and national requirements.
She has elevated the Territory’s profile on the international stage by participating in multiple national committees and speaking at various conferences, including representing Australia at the International Clinical Trials Site Solutions Summit in the US.
Michelle Duggan
A CDU graduate who grew up in Katherine, Michelle has practised as a lawyer since 2014.
At the age of 30, Michelle opened firm Duggan Family Lawyers in July 2022 and is passionate about helping people right across the Territory navigate and resolve their legal issues.
She also volunteers at the Top End Women’s Legal Service and the Darwin Community Legal Service, providing free legal advice to people in Darwin and sits on judiciary panels with Touch Football NT, NRL NT and Rugby Union NT each year.
Stars of Tourism and Hospitality
For those setting new benchmarks, innovating in tourism or tireless in keeping the NT top of mind as the tourism capital – sponsored by Mindil Beach Casino Resort
Anneliese Grazioli
A Darwin born and bred woman, Anneliese began her career in hospitality at just 14, worked her way up the chain, and now manages a number of venues in the city.
She has opened two of Darwin’s most successful cocktail bars in Hanky Panky Lounge and Bar Kokomo and is passionate about training and mentoring the next generation of to only hospitality workers but business people in general, particularly female talent.
She has also competed in national and international cocktail competitions and implemented educational programs.
Danielle Jones
As the CEO and general manager of SRO Group of Companies, Danielle has been the backbone behind a number of major events in the Top End in the past decade.
Along with the Top End Gin Festival to Darwin Cocktail Festival, Danielle is involved in Darwin Supercars, BASSINTHEGRASS and PRIDE bars and events.
Outside of her work, she is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is a mentor to budding female hospitality and tourism workers.
Rebecca Bullen
As the first and only female distiller in Darwin, Rebecca has been involved in the Territory hospitality scene on a range of levels for many years now.
She opened her first venue, Stone House Wine Bar and Kitchen, in 2016 and later founded Charlie’s of Darwin and Darwin Distilling Co which produced its first gin in 2020.
Rebecca recently took the position of chair of the Liquor Accord committee and is the NT representative for the Australian Distillers Association.
Her latest project is the addition of Heli Foraging tours in conjunction with Finnis River Lodge and Nautilus Helicopters – a tourism-driving initiative highlighting what the Territory has to offer.
Emma Cartwright
It is no secret fishing is a popular pastime among Territorians, but it was Emma who started the first women’s fishing tournament – Reel Woman Barra Classic.
That was 23 years ago and since then, Emma has encouraged many women to participate in fishing and to visit the Territory.
Her advocacy for tourism extends to her work as the sole director of Anglers Choice Fishing Safaris where she employs seven guides.
Public Sector
Recognising outstanding service by an employee of Commonwealth, state or local governments – sponsored by Sunday Territorian
Sharon Wunungmurra
Living in the remote community of Gapuwiyak in northeast Arnhem Land, Sharon has an occupational therapy background and currently works as an NDIS and aged care centre co-ordinator.
In her role with the East Arnhem Regional Council team, she is a leader figure for those living with disability, high support and complex needs.
She not only supports her clients, but also their families while providing culturally informed and appropriate support.
Dr Anne Walters
For more than six years, Dr Walters, a mother of two, has led aWomen’s Leadership Network and is passionate about supporting existing and emerging female leaders.
The program hosts monthly events that bring women together, face-to-face and online, from the public sector, private sector, not for profits, non-government organisations and educational institutions in the Territory.
Outside of this, Dr Walters is the director of the Northern Australia People Capacity and Response Network which aims to build capacity and capability in the Northern Territory and northern Australia.
Through NAPCaRN, she has driven a board internship program for 10 women, and 10 First Nations peoples who receive training in governance and are then placed on a board for 12 months gaining the experience that will enable them to become effective board or committee members in the future.
Fransisca Tenorio (finalist in two categories)
Working in the health and research sectors, Fransisca is a mother of two young children, both with special needs.
She is the nurse management co-ordinator Policy and Strategic Projects at NT Health Clinical Innovation and Research Unit.
She has more than 10 years of clinical nursing experience and managed international randomised clinical trials at the Menzies School of Health Research, focusing on improving lung health in Aboriginal children.
Fransisca has been instrumental in establishing the NT Health Research Governance Office, ensuring research within NT Health adheres to local and national requirements.
She has elevated the Territory’s profile on the international stage by participating in multiple national committees and speaking at various conferences, including representing Australia at the International Clinical Trials Site Solutions Summit in the US.
Dorothy Close
For the past 30 years, Dorothy has worked in the public sector right across the Territory and is passionate about geoscience.
She began her career as a P1 Geologist working in both the field and later in a leadership role.
She is now the director of Regional Geoscience at the NT Geological Survey and leads a team of highly trained experts to collect and analyse geoscientific data to ensure access to accurate information to aid the discovery and development of the Territory’s mineral and energy resources.
Through her decades of work and in her leadership role, she empowers female colleagues with
knowledge, support and opportunity to grow.
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Originally published as Vote now: NT News Woman of the Year finalists 2024 named
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