On Wednesday night I had the pleasure of attending the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women Diversity Awards in Sydney.

From the website:

“ACLW’s Awards Program commenced in 2006, culminating so far in three national awards for women’s advancement, with more than 60 national recipients being recognised and awarded, including women, men and organisations. This year is ACLW’s 10th Anniversary of its Awards Program for women’s empowerment. The 2016 Diversity Award refines the spirit of ACLW’s Award Program as it seeks to platform in a mainstream forum, recognition for community and organisational initiatives in Australia that value and empower women in Australia who come from diverse backgrounds, and particularly from groups that are marginalised.”

Dr Diann Healey Rodgers runs the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women voluntarily and entirely on her own.

We were treated to performances by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir and a troupe of Greek dancers. The presenters included Prue Goward, Christine Forster and the speaker of NSW Parliament House Shelley Hancock who was hilarious.

I was a second place winner in the Disability category. I won because of my work organising the Australian Ichthyosis Meet. The category winner was Women with Disabilities Victoria (who I am doing some work for next week) and the third place winner was South East Centre Against Sexual Assault. Here are the two other category winners – Keran and Dagmar.

Every first place winner made a speech and they wowed the room. From domestic violence support and refugee welcoming to providing child care for women in medical research and climate change research and prevention, the work these women do is so important.

I am so honoured to be recognised in a room full of amazing, accomplished and diverse women truly making a difference In Australia.

A big congratulations to Kyri Fuss for being a co-recipient – one of the 75 beneficiaries of the Australian Ichthyosis Meet. And thanks to the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women for the award, Professor Ingrid Winship for the reference and ongoing support, the Ichthyosis community especially the attendees, the supporters of the Ichthyosis meet who made it happen, my wonderful Adam and parents, Layne Beachley and the Aim for the Stars Foundation, the Awesome Foundation, FIRST and UK Ichthyosis Support Group and my wonderful blog readers and social media followers for helping me along the way. ❤️

In my entry, which Kyri (above) provided a supporting statement for, we both said the meet was something we could have done with when we were young.

Oh and if you think my life is all pretty dresses, fancy meals and glamourous award ceremonies – you’ll be pleased to know that I am grounded (literally).

After the awards ceremony at Parliament House, Kyri and I got back to the hotel, I bought some cheese and crackers, and then got changed for bed. As I came out of the bathroom, the heavy door closed on me, making me slip on the carpet and pushing me over. I hit my head, knee, shoulder and bottom. Ouch but laughing. A bit bruised now!

We stayed up til 11 pm raging to This American Life podcast (I fell asleep halfway through the first act).

Ha!

You can read about all the winners here.