To coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, local women have been recognised for their inspiring commitment and compassion towards their community.
As part of the NSW Women of the Year Awards on March 9, each state electorate selects a local woman who has inspired others and gone above and beyond for their community.
Midwife, trauma survivor, mental health and LGBTQIA+ advocate Oceane Campbell was named the 2022 Newcastle Woman of the Year by State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp on March 6.
“I feel like I’m only one small part of this incredible community who have helped me grow and achieve these things,” the Maryville mother said.
Campbell was nominated for her work in health care and midwifery, her advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community and her efforts towards removing the stigma around mental health.
Along with being a midwife during the height of the pandemic, Campbell was behind a Hunter New England Health initiative, improving maternity care for LGBTQIA+ people and training other health care workers on how to ensure safe access for all.
The University of Newcastle also recognised Campbell in 2017 for her role in developing a virtual reality program teaching students how to resuscitate a newborn.
“I hope that I can continue to show women accessing maternity services that they deserve the most respectful and compassionate care through pregnancy and birth,” Campbell said.
“I want to do everything in my power to make people feel that mental health issues are not something to be ashamed of and that it’s okay to speak up and seek support.”
Working towards removing mental health stigmas, Campbell and her mother, Cécile Barral, published The Silence Between Us in 2021.
The acclaimed double memoir confronts the intergenerational trauma that placed a chasm in her and her mother’s relationship, as well as Campbell’s sexual assault and suicide attempt.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said Campbell deserved the recognition.
“There were many amazing women nominated this year, but I was just blown away reading Ms Campbell’s story,” he said.
“I felt inspired by her courage and compassion and can see that she is making a huge difference to the wellbeing of so many others.
“Ms Campbell has achieved so much already, but I just know there is more to come.”
Charlestown’s Woman of the Year, Rosalynd O’Shannassy, was announced by State Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison.
After experiencing an aneurysm seven years ago, O’Shannassy has since worked to show her gratitude to the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.
The service swiftly transported her from the John Hunter Hospital to the Royal North Shore and was an integral key in saving her life.
Since her recovery, O’Shannassy has helped raise funds for its operations by creating and selling silk flower angels—a process both time consuming and complicated.
Harrison said everyone in the community could learn something from O’Shannassy’s experience.
“Rosalynd has chosen to take what was potentially a terrible experience for her and turn it into something positive,” Harrison said.
“Her actions to give something back to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter shows what kind of woman she is, and she more than deserves recognition for her efforts.
“Westpac Rescue Helicopter has touched the lives of so many people in times of need, and it is heartening to see Rosalynd, a beneficiary of their essential assistance, giving back in this way.”
The NSW Women of the Year Awards has also announced the finalists in its sub-category, The One to Watch Award.
The award recognises girls and young women aged seven to 17 who have demonstrated acts of courage, strength, determination and kindness.
11-year-old Charlestown resident Edie Hall is just one of 10 finalists announced in the category.
Edie was inspired to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation after a close family friend was diagnosed with Burkitts non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Along with spreading awareness around the aggressive disease, Edie raised and contributed more than $15,000 in donations to the cause and shaved her head in support.
The awards will all be presented and awarded at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony in Sydney on March 9.
Hayley McMahon