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Inspiring Young Women Leaders recipients announced

Published on 14 March 2023

Nillumbik’s most outstanding young women have been recognised at Nillumbik Shire Council’s Young Women Leader Awards.

The awards, which were presented at Council’s annual International Women’s Day event last week, celebrate the contribution of young women and gender diverse people aged 12-25 in Nillumbik.

Nillumbik Mayor Ben Ramcharan said it was important to recognise the contributions of the young women in our local community.

“Each of the award recipients has played a role in shaping a stronger and more empowered Nillumbik through their significant contributions to the wider community,” he said.

“I hope that the work of these young women will help to inspire other young people in our community to make a difference. I would like to congratulate not only the winners of these awards, but all those who were nominated.”

2023 Young Women Leaders

Young Woman of the Year – Ellen Gould (18, Hurstbridge)

Ellen is an exceptional advocate for people with disability, mentoring more than 80 autistic teens through the I CAN Network. She has worked with many peak disability bodies as a youth advocate including Asperger’s Victoria, Futures Connect, CYDA and Yellow Lady Bugs, and is a consultant for the NDIS.

Young Creative Leader – Angharad Neal-Williams (25, Diamond Creek)

Angharad Neal-Williams is an Illustrator and Live Drawer based in Diamond Creek. She likes to work on environmentally friendly and ethically conscious projects that make a difference in the community, for example UNESCO, The Big Issue, WWF, Youth Affairs Council Vic and Nillumbik Shire.

Young Sports Leader – Ava Geary (17, Eltham North)

Ava is a 17 year old who has taken herself from a difficult position and in the last 12 months has started to create her own path at Eltham Wildcats Basketball. She has been appointed the Game Commissioner of state and national league games in which the Eltham Wildcats compete, the youngest in the role in the nation.

Young Gender Equity Leader – Ruby Todd (18, Eltham)

Ruby Todd coordinated the One Girl: Open Mic Night in December last year. The event involved a program of young female performers, face painting and food in Eltham. All proceeds from the event were donated to One Girl, a non for profit which aims to provide women and girls across the world with equal opportunity to access education.

Young Climate Action Leader – Kiara You (18, Eltham North)

Kiara has been the Social Justice and Environment Group Leader at Catholic Ladies' College in 2022. Throughout the year she led many projects around climate action including: Clothes Swap, 7-11 Cup Rescue, Clean Up Australia Day and more.

Young Business Leader – Poppy Hewett (12, Eltham North)

Poppy is 12 years old, and the successful owner of ’A Pop of Colour’, a local polymer clay earring business. Her videos are highly successful, with over 370 people following her business account on Instagram and each reel averaging over 1000 views.