Community
9 March, 2026
Local women recognised
Women from across the region have been recognised at a celebration to mark International Women’s Day.
Women from across the region have been recognised at a celebration to mark International Women’s Day.
Jo Marshall from Crookwell was named NSW Regional Woman of the Year at a function in Sydney last week, while Hannah Orr from Goulburn was one of 10 recipients of the ‘Ones to Watch’ award.
The category recognises acts of courage, strength and kindness to help and support people around them.
Seven more local women were recognised through their work as the founders of Gidget Foundation Australia, named winners of the NSW Community Hero award.
Jo Marshall – the driving force behind the Australian Agricultural Centre, including its Women in AG program – has been described as a “visionary leader and advocate for rural communities”.
Her work is grounded in a commitment to tackling entrenched disadvantage in regional areas.
She has championed pathways for young people, women and jobseekers who are disengaged from traditional education, ensuring they have access to opportunities that build skills, confidence and sustainable education futures.
She has built partnerships across schools, government, industry and community organisations, amplifying impact well beyond her immediate region.
Fourteen-year-old Hannah Orr is a member of the Goulburn-Mulwaree Youth Council and Deputy Youth Mayor – a role in which she has successfully advocated for a pedestrian crossing near her school and contributed to local events such as a community bike ride and the Goulburn Lilac Festival.
Hannah lives with disability and medical issues but it hasn’t held her back from her commitment to serving the community.
At school, she is the junior president of the Social Justice Council, which raises money for various charities, and is part of the Bridges to Borders group, which celebrates multicultural students.
In 2025 she was named Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Young Citizen of the Year.
The founders of the Gidget Foundation of Australia were Alexandra Berthold, Libby Bowditch, Jacqui Cotton, Stephanie Hughes, Lou Hunter, Kim Mouret and Simone Short.
All seven women have worked to improve mental health support for parents in NSW over the past 24 years.
Their sister and friend Louise (nicknamed Gidget) took her own life in 2001 while experiencing postnatal depression.
Following this tragedy they set out to make a difference in Gidget’s honour by increasing awareness of the illness and support for parents.
Gidget Foundation Australia now provides parents with accessible, timely and specialist care.
The Foundation has established 39 Gidget Houses and has delivered a total of 108,704 appointments to support 12,705 families.
The founders are all still actively involved – demonstrating a dedication that has had a direct impact on perinatal mental health awareness, education and support in NSW.
Local women named on the ‘Local Women of the Year Honor Roll’ - chosen by Members of Parliament - included Jennifer Medway (Goulburn) and Gaye White (Wollondilly).
Jennifer Medway is a fifth-generation Southern Tablelands farmer and a regional leader dedicated to community and agriculture.
Jennifer is secretary of the Gunning Show and president of both the Merrill Rural Fire Brigade and NSW Farmers’ Yass branch.
She also serves with Gunning Community Care, which delivers health and support services.
She champions local events while promoting the wool industry and inspiring the next generation of farmers.
Gaye White – deputy chair and communications director of WinZero – Wingecarribee Net Zero Emissions – leads efforts to reduce carbon emissions, conserve natural habitats and promote environmental education in the Southern Highlands.
Under her leadership, WinZero has delivered initiatives including the Virtual Energy Network and Southern Highlands Future Forum, inspiring the community towards a zero emissions future.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the awards continued to recognise the “remarkable contributions” of women across the state.
“Their work makes a real difference in the lives of others and deserves to be recognised and celebrated,” she said.
Mrs Tuckerman described Jennifer Medway as a “powerhouse”.
“I’m incredibly proud to see her recognised for her work in our community and beyond.
“Her dedication to improving life in the regions, uplifting rural women and championing the future of agriculture is both admirable and inspiring,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
She was also full of praise for Jo Marshall, Hannah Orr and the founders of Gidget Foundation Australia.
“I am incredibly proud of Hannah,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“At just 14, she is already an exceptional representative for young people in our electorate - a true star in the making.”
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan described Gaye White as a “truly deserving” Local Woman of the Year for Wollondilly and someone whose “passion, generosity and leadership continue to inspire so many across our region”.
“And while she dedicates so much to the community, she also supports her family, cares for her brother, grows food at her Southern Highlands home – and still somehow finds time for her love of oil painting.”
Read More: Southern Highlands, Wollondilly, Southern Tablelands