Jean Arnot Recognition Awards
Jean Arnot Recognition Awards 2025
The National Council of Women of NSW together with Business & Professional Women – BPW Sydney held the Jean Arnot 2025 Recognition Awards at Parliament of NSW on the 13th August 2025 to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of eighteen extraordinary women aged 90 and over, each a beacon of an unwavering commitment to their communities. We are very grateful for those Affiliated Organisations and individuals that take the time to research and nominate each of these wonderful women.
Thank you to NCWNSW Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales who was unavailable on the day. The Governor kindly sent a message of congratulations to all in attendance.
Councillor Yvonne Weldon, City of Sydney and as a representative of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council shared a very warm Welcome to Country and her continued support of NCW NSW.
Thank you to The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine, MLC was invited by our Parliamentary host The Hon. Jodie Harrison, MP, Member for Charlestown, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to represent her, speak and present signed Certificates of Appreciation to each of the Awardees due to unavailability on the day. Dr Sarah Kaine MLC spoke of our Jean Arnot Lunch, which has been formally recorded into NSW Parliamentary Hansard.
Our Guest Speaker, Juliette O’Brien OAM lawyer, author, self proclaimed “Data Nerd” delivered a thought provoking speech and received many accolades for her work were shared by those attending.
Over 140 members and friends attended the lunch with a special guest being Gillian Lewis, President, BPW Australia and there were also a number of NCW NSW past presidents in attendance. As always, the team of organisers (all volunteers) who bring this event to fruition are to be congratulated and thank you for making this a wonderful success.
“Congratulations to each of the remarkable Awardees on your well-deserved recognition. Let us carry forward your legacy with the same courage and conviction that each of you have shown throughout your lives. May your stories inspire us to continue the fight for a better future for all women.” Yvette Kinkade
Doreen ABOOD (née Ingram)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League Nowra
Beverley ADCOCK (née Aaron) OAM
Nominated: Penelope Sturrock
Heather AUSTIN (née Williams)
Nominated: Girl Guides NSW ACT NT (Coffs Harbour Trefoil Guild)
Dawn BEAUMONT-STEVENS (née Harwin)
Nominated: Soroptimist International Griffith
Judith BLANKSBY (née Nicholson)
Nominated: Women’s Pioneer Society of Australasia Inc.
Dr Barbara Gillian BRIGGS AM PSM
Nominated: Graduate Women NSW
Nola BUCK (née Miller) OAM
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League Diocese of Parramatta
Dr Rohma CUMMINS (née Newman)
Nominated: Sydney Girls High School Old Girls Union
Adele DEANE (née Godfrey)
Nominated: Soroptimist International Griffith
Rosemary FROST (née Greaves) JP
Nominated: Women’s Pioneer Society of Australasia Inc.
Anne Maria MEREDITH (née Schiemer)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League Bowral
Helena O’NEILL
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League Sydney
Pamela Elizabeth PALMER (née Hill)
Nominated: Women’s Pioneer Society of Australasia Inc.
Mary Josephine PEDERSEN (née McNamara)
Nominated: Michelle Pedersen and Sue Meehan of the Catholic Women’s League Australia-New South Wales Incorporated (CWLA-NSW Inc.).
Gwen Eileen PLATT (née Kitchen)
Nominated: Girl Guides NSW ACT NT (Bexley Trefoil Guild)
Gloria Joan WALTER (née Barnsley)
Nominated: Jane Baker and ‘Tricia Blombery from the Sydney Lyceum Club.
Assoc Professor Dr Betsy WEARING (née Machin)
Nominated: Zonta Club of Sydney
Reverend Sister Constantina ZAPAIA OBSM
Nominated: Ukrainian Women’s Association in Australia (UWAA) NSW
Jean Arnot Recognition Awards 2024
The National Council of Women of NSW together with Business & Professional Women – BPW Sydney held the Jean Arnot 2024 Recognition Awards at Parliament of NSW on the 12th August 2024 to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of twenty-three extraordinary women aged 90 and over, each a beacon of an unwavering commitment to their communities.
Thank you to NCWNSW Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales for the kind message and ongoing support.
Enormous thanks to Jodie Harrison MP, Member for Charlestown, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, thank you for being a gracious parliamentary host and presenting signed Certificates of Appreciation to each of the Awardees.
Councillor Yvonne Weldon, City of Sydney and Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Thank you for your warm Welcome to Country and continued support.
To our guest speaker, Gail O’Brien AO, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Thank you for your inspiring and thought-provoking philosophy on life. Your passion and tenacity are inspiring.
Thank you Jenny Aitchison MP for your ongoing support and wonderful awardees from Maitland and surrounding suburbs.
In attendance was President Elect, National Council of Women of Australia and President National Council of Women South Australia – NCWSA, Fiona Dorman. We were also pleased to welcome NCWA past President, Margaret Findlater-Smith OAM and Honorary Life Member ICW-CIF, Margaret Beadman OAM, who was also a recipient at the event. NCWNSW President, Yvette Kinkade welcomed three NSW past Presidents, Julie Morris, Tricia Graham and Sari Browne OAM who were in attendance.
To our MC’s and wonderful team of organisers and volunteers, thank you for your tireless efforts preparing and ensuring it was the luncheon was a mighty success.
Congratulations to each of the remarkable Awardees on your well-deserved recognition. Let us carry forward your legacy with the same courage and conviction that each of you have shown throughout your lives. May your stories inspire us to continue the fight for a better future for all women.
RECIPIENTS OF AWARDS:
MARGARET MEARLE ALLAN (nee Richards)
Nominated: Country Women’s Association of NSW. Eastwood – Epping Branch.
VALERIE GERALDINE BARNSLEY (nee Robinson)
Nominated: Wollongong Wesley Uniting Church Adult Fellowship.
MARGARET ‘MAGGIE’ BEADMAN OAM
Nominated: National Council of Women ACT.
SLAVA THERESA BLAHUT (nee Melinz)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League, Parramatta Diocese
NOLENE MARY BOYCE (nee Callaghan / Race)
Nominated: Maitland RSL Netball.
ELAINE MARIE ‘BETTY’ CARMODY (nee Young)
Nominated: Penny Sturrock, Wollongong Uniting Adult Fellowship.
PHYLLIS LITA CONNELL (nee Hanlon)
Nominated: The Catholic Women’s League, Unanderra
JADVYGA DAMBRAUSKAS (nee Semenauskaite)
Nominated: Sydney Lithuanian Women’s Social Services Association.
THE HON. ELIZABETH EVATT AC
Nominated: Women Lawyers Association of NSW.
JACQUELINE ‘JILL’ FALLS (nee Wright)
Nominated: Office of the Honourable Jenny Aitchison MP, Member for Maitland, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport.
MAUREEN HARTRIDGE (nee Hegerty)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League, Terrigal Branch.
EILEEN LOUISA HOGG (nee Thomas)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League, Diocese of Wollongong.
MONICA ROSE HOWAD (nee Keenan)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League, Bowral Branch.
KATLEEN VERLIE LE BAS (nee Levy)
Nominated: Wollongong Uniting Church Adult Fellowship.
LYDIA LEE (nee Tai Li Ling)
Nominated: Dr. Angeline Low.
PAMELA LEMOINE (nee Newcombe)
Nominated: Graduate Women NSW.
ANASTASIA MARKIEWICZ (nee Rawska)
Nominated: Ukrainian Women’s Association Lidcombe Branch.
LEFAYRE PHILLIS CLAIRE PALMER (nee Heslehurst)
Nominated: Marlene Reid OAM, Membership Officer, Women’s Pioneer Society of Australasia.
BARBARA LUCY SPAIN (nee Blackwell)
Nominated: The Catholic Women’s League, Unanderra
LEE TREDINNICK OAM (nee Thiele)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League, Sydney Diocese.
JAY TURNER (nee Willis)
Nominated: Catholic Women’s League, Archdiocese of Sydney)
YVONNE WEBB (nee Cornford)
Nominated: Wollongong Wesley Church Adult Fellowship
GLADYS MARY WHATSON (nee Lewis)
Nominated: Fay Mary Welch
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Nominate a remarkable woman 90 years old and over who has worked for women in their communities across NSW and ACT.
The National Council of Women of NSW Inc. Executive Committees and Business & Professional Women cordially invite you, your colleagues, family and friends to attend the Jean Arnot Recognition Awards.
We invite communities to consider nominating women eligible for a Jean Arnot Recognition Award.
Nominees will be invited to attend a luncheon in August 2025 at Parliament House, Sydney. Awardees will be presented with a Certificate of Recognition, a copy of the Profile Booklet and a special gift.
NCW NSW Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, will present the Awardees with their certificates while seated at their table.
For over 30 years, we have come together to recognise women ninety and over in our communities for achieving that extra length of time in their volunteer roles. Each awardee’s nomination comes from their community – they can’t self-nominate.
Nominate or join us to celebrate with these incredible women who have impacted our communities.
To ensure your Nominee’s inclusion in the Profile Booklet of Nominees for 2025, all forms must be received by 1st July 2025. A short biography is required with the nomination.
Contact us at enquiries@ncwnsw.org.au for a nomination form.
Jean Fleming Arnot MBE (23 April 1903 – 27 September 1995) was one of a select group of Australian librarians remembered and honoured as much for their service to society as for their professional endeavours. In very few cases has, the contribution to both been so distinguished, lengthy and sustained.
Jean and her associates were interested not just in equal pay but also in the position of women generally, in equal employment opportunity, in motherhood endowment, in child care, in the concept of a household wage, or putting a value on the work performed predominantly by women in the home.
Jean was active in committees and behind the scenes. She spoke at public forums and on the wireless, putting the case in her self-assured and measured way, never strident, always well-mannered but firm. The equal pay debate would require stamina, which Jean had aplenty, for it would only be resolved a few years before her retirement.
Jean was gracious, broad-minded, good-humoured, articulate, observant, caring and eternally curious. She changed with the times, and she changed the times. The library world and Australian society are richer and fairer for Jean Arnot’s contribution.
Jean Arnot at her 90th birthday celebrations.
Acknowledgement
National Council of Women of New South Wales Inc. acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. NCW NSW pays its respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past, present and emerging.