The 2026 NSW Woman of the Year Awards this week honoured the achievements of women across NSW including those in southern NSW who have made noteworthy contributions to their communities. Photo: Helen Dalton Facebook.
From Coolamon to Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga to Crookwell, and across NSW through the work of seven friends, women are changing lives.
One transformed a carport into a counselling service, another trained hundreds after an ocean swim, one has spent decades strengthening community networks, another is creating opportunities for young women in regional agriculture, while seven friends turned loss into 24 years of vital perinatal support.
These women from the South West Slopes, Riverina and Murray, along with colleagues in other regional communities, were recognised this week at the NSW Women of the Year Awards held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Thursday (5 March).
Tina Kendall-Davis, named Local Woman of the Year for the Cootamundra electorate, built her counselling service from necessity.
Working from a converted carport at her Coolamon home, she opened Anytime Counselling, providing confidential, remote support for people in rural and remote areas.
Within days, her schedule was full without advertising – a sign of deep need in her region.
Her motivation is personal: after her father died suddenly from a heart attack, she said, “If dad had had a counsellor, we’d still have him now”.
Her goal is clear – to make mental wellbeing a normal part of life, not just something considered in crisis.
“We go to the gym to stay healthy, we go to the doctor to stay healthy — why can’t we go to the counsellor to stay healthy?” she said.
Since its founding, Anytime Counselling has expanded significantly, reaching hundreds of clients across regional NSW and earning international recognition with a Stevie Award in New York.
Kendall-Davis has also established Australia’s Mining EAP, a counselling service tailored to mining and FIFO communities, where mental health support is urgently needed.
Brenda Norman of Deniliquin has been named Murray Local Woman of the Year – recognition many say is long overdue.
A PDHPE teacher at Deniliquin High School and a world-class marathon swimmer, Brenda is also the founder of Channel 4 Change, a community initiative she created to raise funds and awareness for youth mental health in the southern Riverina after the region lost several people to suicide.
In September 2025, she completed a 34.5 km swim across the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland – one of the world’s toughest open-water crossings – on her third attempt, overcoming severe seasickness, hypothermia and wrist reconstruction surgery.
She used the swim to raise money for free Mental Health First Aid Australia training for residents in Deniliquin.
Gumly Gumly’s own Ann Adams OAM, Local Woman of the Year for the Wagga Wagga electorate, has spent decades building community networks.
Through the Oura Country Women’s Association (CWA) she has served as president, secretary and treasurer, and co-chaired the organising committee for the CWA NSW State Conference in Wagga Wagga.
Beyond the CWA, she founded a Women’s Shelter Mini Fete, leads Carols Under the Stars, directed the local Christmas Pantomime and coordinates fundraising for African Enterprise, providing school equipment in Rwanda.
Across these initiatives, Adams has helped thousands of local women and families access support, cultural programs, and community opportunities.
The awards also saw Crookwell’s Jo Marshall named NSW Regional Woman of the Year for her work leading the Australian Agricultural Centre.
The centre runs programs teaching farming skills, shearing, chainsaw safety, STEM integration and cultural learning, with a focus on creating leadership opportunities for women and young people in regional agriculture.
Since taking the helm, Marshall has overseen thousands of participants in these programs, helping to build skills, confidence and networks for the next generation of regional leaders.
“I feel proud — not just personally, but on behalf of the regional communities, women and young people I work alongside every day,” she said.
“It’s a reminder that the work we do in regional Australia matters, that investing in education, skills and community resilience has real impact, and that regional voices are being seen and heard.
“I also feel grateful. This recognition reflects the collective effort of so many people who believe in the future of agriculture, in opportunity for regional youth, and in supporting women to lead, innovate and create change where they live,” Jo said.
Seven friends – Jacqui Cotton, Simone Short, Libby Bowditch, Lou Hunter, Kim Mouret, Stephanie Hughes, and Alexandra Berthold – founded the Gidget Foundation Australia after Jacqui’s sister, nicknamed Gidget, tragically took her own life due to postnatal depression.
Over 24 years, the foundation has grown into one of Australia’s leading perinatal mental health organisations, establishing 39 Gidget Houses and delivering more than 108,700 appointments, supporting more than 12,700 families, including in regional communities such as Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Queanbeyan and Goulburn.
The founders were recognised with the NSW Community Hero award at the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards, honouring both the longevity and reach of their work and their ongoing leadership in maintaining and expanding vital support services.
The awards are the flagship event of NSW Women’s Week 2026, which runs from Monday 2 March to International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March.
Since 2012, the NSW Women of the Year Awards have celebrated women and girls whose determination, leadership, and advocacy are shaping a stronger, more inclusive NSW.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.
