And The Winners Are…

More than 130 men and women filled the Mackay Turf Club on Saturday March 5 for the inaugural JSP Women's Awards. It was a celebration of women throughout the greater Whitsunday region with a diversity of women recognised for their community contributions.

Organiser and JSP Founder Fallon Drewett said stories of the finalists and the winners inspired and captivated those who attended.

"This event was a way of sharing women's stories and giving many women the moment they deserve to feel empowered and loved," Mrs Drewett said.

"It really showcased how many incredible women live in our community and how determined, strong, kind and valuable they are.

"The event was a way to make women visible for their achievements, adversity, struggles and hope.”

Ms Drewett said the winner of each of the six categories were remarkable role models.

"If I could give an award to all the 129 women nominated I would.

“Women's stories and voices matter.

"However, we had to narrow it down to five finalists and from there our judging panel had the tough job of finding a winner.

"I 'd like to thank all our sponsors including Daly Bay for jumping on board as our major sponsor," Mrs Drewett said.

The evening was MC’d by the ABC’s Tegan Philpott and Minds Aligned Co-Founder Rowena Hardy was the guest speaker.

Attendees were kept entertained by live band, The Feels.

WINNERS

Mother of all Mothers - Jenny Binsiar

Jenny Binsiar is one of our region’s Indigenous elders and is a Mother, Nan and Great Grandma. But Jenny has also been a mother figure and role model for many of our region's most vulnerable young people.

Jenny is part of the Binga Birry Justice Group.  This group of volunteers visit the inmates of the Townsville and Rockhampton Correctional Centre’s on a monthly basis.  Jenny is also involved in Youth Justice and attends Court sessions for Youth and has worked as a Community Development Worker at the Mackay Women's Centre.

Modern Muse - Jules Thompson

Jules Thompson uses her voice for the greater good of women.

Jules is the face of domestic violence prevention and protection in Mackay. As a survivor herself, Jules knows all too well the heartache, struggles, violence and fear that many women in our region go through on a daily basis.

Jules created the Mackay-based charity and advocacy group Broken Ballerina that voluntarily accompanies women through the court process.

Health and Wellbeing Warrior - Kayleigh Brewster

Health and Wellbeing isn’t always found in a gym.

It can be found in Chance’s Op Shop and Cafe or the incredible work of Australian Street Aid Project Founder Kayleigh Brewster.

Kayleigh took a natural desire to help and has given respect to homelessness and is changing the perceptions of how society sees those who find themselves living on the street and in hard times.

Kayleigh dedicates so much of her time and energy into helping people who need it the most.

The Trailblazer- Melissa Johnson

Melissa has worked her way through various roles in mining and BHP. Melissa is currently the General Manager of Hay Point Coal Terminal.

Mel leads by example, is a woman in a very male-dominated industry. A Chartered Engineer by trade, Mel has worked with BHP for over 10 years in various leadership positions in Projects, Engineering, Major Shutdowns and Maintenance and has held her current position of General Manager, BMA’s Hay Point Coal Terminal since 2018. Mel’s deep sense of care for people’s safety and wellbeing along with her proven capability as a senior operational leader makes her the ideal nominee for this award.

Resilient Rebel- Vicki Blackburn

Vicki Blackburn has been through some of the most trying and devastating circumstances that, for many, we could never fathom. Vicki has been through the worst thing any parent could have to overcome. She has become a fierce advocate for safety. And nine years after her daughter Shandee was murdered, she is still fighting for justice.

Vicki’s story is well known. Shandee was murdered in February 2013 and her killer remains free nine years later. Vicki has sat through an investigation, trial, inquest and now a podcast and her reserve for justice is unwavering. She has used her pain to fight for better community safety and has pushed to have the inquest into her daughter’s death reopened. This year the case has been reopened based on findings in a recent podcast.

Magic Maker - Cody-Maree Allsop-Collins

Cody is at the forefront of women empowerment in the art form of Burlesque. She has built a beautiful community at her studio Burlesque by Bailey to help women from all walks of life love themselves in dance.

Cody supports women to love themselves and explore the art form of burlesque while empowering and inspiring in her own performances.

She is a performer, an artist, a teacher, a mum, a businesswoman which she does all with such class and poise. Cody empowers women of all shapes and sizes to love themselves and their bodies. She sees beauty in every single woman and creates a safe space for many women to express themselves and their creativity.

JSP Founder Fallon Drewett (centre) with four of the six winners from the inaugural JSP Women’s Awards. Photos: Marty Strecker

More than 130 people celebrated women from the greater Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions at the inaugural JSP Women’s Awards

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