We’re excited to announce the winners of our annual Women of Yarra Awards for 2019.

In the individual category, Natalie Jane Walker and Briony O’Keeffe were both recognised as recipients of this award.

Briony is an inspirational educator at Fitzroy High School. She is a classroom teacher, Teaching and Learning leader and founder of the Fitzroy High School Feminist Collective (Women of Yarra award winners 2018). She is a leader in bringing conversations on feminism and activism to the forefront of mainstream secondary education.

Natalie Jane Walker founded PartnerSPEAK, the only organisation in Australia (and one of few in the world) to support people affected child abuse material and their partners or spouses. Natalie is giving voice to the hidden victims of this crime and pushing back against the myth that this is a niche issue.   

In the group category, our two award winners were the Yarra Jets Women’s Football Club and ShantiWorks.

Yarra Jets Women's Football Club is an inclusive community club, promoting a safe and friendly environment for women to be involved in sport both competitively and socially. Their junior pathways program nurtures future leaders and encourages girls to be involved in soccer through both playing and coaching.

ShantiWorks is a small feminist organisation in Richmond, designed to work for equality, peace and justice. Shantiworks is one of very few organisations that invites practitioners and managers of family violence work and sectors to examine all aspects of oppression and privilege, and the complexity of these intersecting locations.

About the event 

Our annual Women of Yarra Awards is an important opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible contributions women make to our community.

On International Women's Day (Friday 8 March), the Collingwood Town Hall was host to members of our community for an afternoon of connection, conversation and celebration.

Featuring MC Jax Jacki Brown, speech by our mayor Cr Danae Bosler, performances by the Melbourne Indie Voices Choir and a key note presentation from Jirra Lulla Harvey of Kalinya Communications.

We received many thoughtful and considered nominations for the awards this year.

Thank you to everyone who nominated someone or attended our event.

Browse the full list of nominees for the Women of Yarra Awards 2019.