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This article was published on Friday, 13 February, 2026. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Last chance to nominate for the 2026 Greater Shepparton Women’s Award

In Summary

Nominations for the 2026 Greater Shepparton Women’s Award close at 11.59pm on Sunday 22 February 2026, with the award recognising women whose contributions strengthen the community and promote gender equality.
The award is an initiative of the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Advisory Committee, which promotes gender equity, diversity in participation and women’s active citizenship.
The 2025 recipient, Fazela Abbasi, was recognised for her community leadership and support of migrant and multicultural women across the region.
The 2026 Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Awards will be presented at the International Women’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 5 March 2026 at Hotel Parklake Shepparton.

The Award, an initiative of the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Advisory Committee, recognises women whose contributions strengthen the community, support others and promote gender equality across all areas of life.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, encouraged residents to submit their nomination before they close.

“This Award celebrates the women whose commitment and leadership continue to shape our community,” he said.

“A nomination helps shine a light on their work and the impact it has on others. I encourage everyone to consider the women in their lives and put forward a nomination.”

The Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Advisory Committee are a group of passionate women whose guiding principles are gender equity, encouraging diversity in representation and participation and women’s active citizenship.

Committee Chair, Cr Sam Spinks, encouraged residents to take the opportunity to nominate women whose actions and leadership continue to make a positive difference in our community.

“So much of the work that holds our community together happens in the background and it is important that we recognise and celebrate it,” she said.

“With nominations closing soon, putting forward a nomination, whether it is yourself or someone else, could make a real difference by acknowledging the effort and impact behind the work.”

Fazela Abbasi was named the 2025 Women’s Award recipient in recognition of her outstanding commitment to the community and significant contributions to women across the region, including:

Supporting newly arrived families through the Afghani Hazara Community Centre and her local mosque
Working with Save the Children on the Safer Pathways Project
Facilitating Supported Playgroups at local schools
Serving as Vice President of the Goulburn Valley Afghan Women’s Association
Organising women’s gatherings, health and education workshops
Leading large multicultural celebrations including Afghan New Year and Eid festivals
Advocating for migrant women to improve service delivery and access to support
Raising awareness of mental health and gender-based inequality within the community

Nomination forms and more information about the Greater Shepparton Women’s Award can be found on our Women's Charter Women's Award webpage here.

The 2026 Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Awards will be presented in partnership with Soroptimists International of Shepparton Inc at an International Women’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 5 March 2026 at Hotel Parklake Shepparton. Tickets are $50 per person. For bookings and further details, please contact Debbie Watson-Smith on 0417 002 224. Bookings close Tuesday 25 February 2026.

For further information, please contact Council’s Team Leader Diversity on 5832 9586 or email communityadmin@shepparton.vic.gov.au