Scholarship Winners 2009
The NSW Office for Women's Policy (OFWP) and Women on Boards have supported the following six women on full scholarships to attend the Conference. The scholarship includes attendance at the Conference (2 & 3 September) and the dinner.
- Melissa Abu-Gazelah, Wollongong NSW
- Michelle Erofeyeff, Denistone NSW
- Wendy Fogarty, Tarrawanna NSW
- Michelle Kellaway, Wollongong NSW
- Michelle Ray, Northern Beaches Sydney
- Vivien Thomson, Muttama (near Cootamundra), NSW
Melissa Abu-Gazelah
Melissa is a 22 year old who aims to use not only the skills she has developed, but also her intense passion and determination to enhance the community we live in by addressing current social issues which affect others. Her achievements to date include:
- Establishing Best Catch Foundation as a leading local organisation that empowers young men to positively contribute to their community
- Being selected in Australia's Top 100 Brightest Young Minds in 2008
- Graduated with Distinction in the exclusive three year University of Wollongong Black Opal Leadership Program
Melissa has a Diploma in Community Welfare Services, TAFE Illawarra (2008 Australia) and works as caseworker for Children's Contact Service at CatholicCare as well as being MD of best catch Foundation. She styles herself as an emerging social entrepreneur that is seeking a position on a board that could benefit from strategic marketing and business development skills. Her previous board and committee positions are with not-for-profit organisations and state government boards.
Michelle Erofeyeff
Michelle has always been interested in making a difference. While working successfully as a migration consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2001, she and her husband decided to spend 15 months teaching in Samoa.
After the birth of her first child she became involved as a consumer representative in the establishment of the nationally recognised, award-winning Ryde Midwifery Group Practice. She then joined the Area Health Service Maternity Reference Group (now Women’s Network) and saw how important it was for services to work together. Since then, she has been involved as a consumer and community advocate in Health and Maternity Services across Northern Sydney, including establishing the maternity advocacy group Mums @ Ryde.
Michelle considers herself an insightful, strategic thinker with strong experience as a director on not-for-profit boards and committees. She is looking for paid directorships, government committees or advisory bodies as a community/consumer advocate. She also intends to build on her work in the not-for-profit sector to support the community sector, particularly those organisations that make an impact on public policy.
Wendy Fogarty
Wendy is a small business management consultant who works with business owners improving their profitability and long term sustainability through strategic planning and mentoring. Some of her achievements include:
- Business owner for past 11 years
- Business award state finalist, judge and public speaker
- Executive Director of Illawarra Business Chamber
Wendy is an experienced director seeking additional directorships in the areas of advocacy, small business, women in business, development of youth in leadership roles and regional development. She is interested in contributing to a board that requires forward thinking and strategic planning around positive change. Her role on boards is usually fairly active as part of her commitment to making a positive contribution.
Michelle Kellaway
Michelle initially trained as a veterinarian and worked for Nyngan Rural Lands Protection Board before completing a Masters of Business Administration. She has since spent nine years in business and strategic management including work as a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group, a Manager at Meat and Livestock Australia and is currently a Project Manager at University of Wollongong.
Her achievements include:
- NSW Young Australian of The Year in the Regional Initiative Category
- Young Australian Centenary of Federation Ambassador and
- Deustche Bank Women in Management Scholarship.
Her board and community involvements include serving on the Nyngan Agricultural Expo Committee and the Far West Emergency Management Committee. She sees herself as an outstanding performer who offers a unique and valuable mix of director skills acquired through diverse management experience and working with and reporting to Boards and Senior Executives across Australia and overseas.
Michelle Ray
Michelle was a senior constable in the NSW Police Force who worked as a Human Resource Manager and Explosive Detection Dog Handler from 1994 until 2001. Since then she has worked with the Police Association of NSW in Industrial Relations.
Her achievements include:
- Elected to Warringah Council in Sept 2008
- Selected to present at International IR Conference in Aug 2009.
- Completion of overseas (USA) Coaching qualification.
Michelle is a strategic, innovative thinker looking for a paid position on a private board to continue to expand her board experience, network and to compliment her role as a Councilor and community representative.
Vivien Thomson
Vivien runs her own consulting company specializing in emergency management and training and manages the family farm. Previous roles include Project Officer at Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority, Team Leader at ACT Emergency Services Authority, Fire Management Officer at ACT Parks & Conservation Service and a Ranger in Charge at ACT Parks & Conservation Service East District.
Some of her achievements are:
- Awarded the Fire Service Medal for distinguished service
- Director of Australian Women in Agriculture.
- Service to the community in many ways, including serving on the boards of the ACT Bushfire Council, Tidbinbilla Volunteer brigade, Emergency Sector Working group and as Captain of the Parks Bushfire Brigade.
She aims to use her skills and leadership skills to secure further board roles to further develop her directorship skills as well as supplementing the farm income.
Supported Places at Mentoring Dinner
Cinnabar Designs www.cinnabardesigns.com and the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) www.iwg-gti.org are sponsoring two younger women to attend the Conference dinner.
Cinnabar makes beautiful fine merino knitwear, perfect for wearing under suits.
IWG are holding the 5th World Conference on Women and Sport in Sydney in 2010.
Christine Ratnasingham
Christine is an experienced professional in operational and policy issues affecting migrant and refugee communities. She is Anglicare Sydney's Migrant and Refugee Services Manager. She is currently on the DAMEC Board
Camtu Pham
Camtu is the founder and Managing Director of CleverLink. She is an international speaker and E-Business consultant. Camtu was named the Sydney Business Review BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2005. She is the author of Aim High Fly Fast: How to Create a Wonderful World for Yourself and Others. Camtu is on the board of the Catholic Development Fund Wollongong and a member of the WEA Illawarra.
Michelle Slack-Smith
Michelle was contracted by Cricket Australia into the role of the Promotions & Functions Manager for the recent ICC Women's World Cup Australia 2009. Michelle completed an Assoc Deg in Law (Paralegal Studies) and a Diploma in Marketing (Sports) and is a former recipient of the NSW Dept of Sport & Recreation's Women Sport Leadership scholarships. She received this scholarship when working as the Executive Officer Women's Cricket and Corporate Communications Co-ordinator for Cricket NSW. Currently, Michelle works as the Events Manager for the World Corporate Golf Challenge Australasian Series.
Sally Ryan
Sally was appointed as Project Manager for the International Working Group on Women and Sport in June 2007. A graduate of the Leisure Studies program at the University of Technology, Sydney, she has recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Law. Sally has worked in various capacities with the New South Wales Government and private companies organising and administering major events and venues.
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