Kylee Dennis, Amy Hall, Dr Danielle Camer at the Women Changing The World Awards. Photo: Dr Danielle Camer Instagram.
Three Illawarra businesswomen – and a businessgirl – flew to London as finalists at the Women Changing The World Awards last week, and all have emerged winners.
Amy Hall of Banksia Support Services Wollongong was nominated in four categories and was announced the winner of the Advocacy Award at a glitzy event at London’s Park Hyatt.
“It’s really exciting given the calibre of women all across the world who are doing incredible things and were finalists in this category,” she said.
“I am absolutely gobsmacked that I am taking this award home.”
Former NSW Police Detective turned founder of Two Face Investigations, Kylee Dennis, won the Micro Business of the Year Award.
“To be surrounded by exceptional women and to win, I am blown away,” she said.
“I’m determined to challenge scammers and stop shame around scam victims, so this award gives me a boost to keep fighting the good fight.”
Children’s author Dr Danielle Camer was nominated in three categories. She won the “Women Changing the World in Literature – Children’s Books” Award and received an honourable mention in the “Rising Star of the Year” Award.
Her daughter, Sophie Shumack, 8, received an honourable mention in the “Girl Of The Year” Award category.
“I felt so honoured to be recognised for my work amongst a brilliant group of change makers from around the world. The talent in the room was truly exceptional,” Danielle said.
“I am so proud of Sophie for receiving this recognition. This acknowledges how she has channelled her grief into positive actions, including fundraising for the Melanoma Institute Australia and co-writing a picture book with me based on her Dad’s brief. She will always be my girl of the year – every year. I know her Dad would be so proud, too.”
Amy Hall and Dr Danielle Camer were two of 25 authors from around the world who shared their story in the Authenticity & Action anthology. They participated in a photo shoot outside Big Ben and a cocktail party in London to officially launch the book. One of the first copies of this book was gifted to Sarah, the Duchess of York, at the event.
During the event, Danielle also gifted awards presenter (and Oprah Winfrey’s all-time favourite guest) Dr Tererai Trent two copies of her books Sophie won’t sleep and Squirrel takes the cake.
“I knew she was doing exceptional work in building educational facilities in Zimbabwe, so I suggested she donate them to one of the schools for the children to enjoy. She mentioned that they were building a library for a school, but they didn’t have any books and were fundraising for the cause,” Danielle said.
“Dr Trent said that my books would be the first to be in this library in Zimbabwe, which is incredibly heartwarming. I suggested we do something at the event to help crowd-fund to help them reach their target of $25,000.
“After I did my keynote at the event, which was about Sophie won’t sleep, Dr Trent spoke briefly about my book donation and how they were seeking more funds to fill the school library with books. From the initial $3800 raised, it jumped to $10,000 by the end of the evening. I felt really proud to have been able to leverage the opportunity to help support Dr Trent’s mission, and ultimately, allow these children to have access to an array of books from around the world.”
The Women Changing The World Awards is a global awards program recognising the work of incredible women making a positive difference in the world across a range of industries and areas, including in business, sustainability, leadership, health, education, product development, innovation and technology.
They aim to elevate, celebrate, connect and support women in their journey as changemakers, trailblazers and leaders.
The awards were a part of the broader Women Changing the World Summit, a world-leading event for changemakers and trailblazers featuring award-winning speakers, panel discussions and networking.
Authenticity & Action will be available to pre-order in mid-May.
