Grace Fava, the founder and president of non-profit charity Autism Advisory and Support Service in Liverpool, was named the Women of the West on Friday.
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The University of Western Sydney established the Women in the West Awards in 2005, to show its appreciation for the many women who are improving the lives of people in greater western Sydney.
The Young Women of the West Award went to Dr Melissa Radjenovic, who is a doctor at Liverpool Hospital and a board member of St Simeon Retirement Village in Rooty Hill.
Amanda Bowles, of Glenwood, was highly commended for her contribution to pregnancy loss, and the way she has transformed families in grief through Bears of Hope — a national support, education and awareness charity for bereaved parents she helped found with Toni Tattis.
Every NSW hospital receives their Bears of Hope pack, containing a bear and resources "about saying hello and goodbye to their baby".
Also highly commended was Karyn McNeil, of Baulkham Hills.
The mother of an autistic child, she began volunteering at Woodbury Autism Education and Research in Baulkham Hills nine years ago and is now its full-time executive administrator.
It is her ardent hope the school will one day be more affordable.
"It breaks my heart when I tell a person the fees and they tell me they can't afford it," she said.
Merrylands High School principal Lila Mularczyk was also highly commended.
In 2012, Lila was awarded the Australian College of Educational Leaders Fellowship and a Department of Education Merit Service Award to Public Education. Lila has also been recognised as one of the Sydney Morning Herald’s 100 most influential people.
The University of Western Sydney established the Women in the West Awards in 2005, to show its appreciation for the many women who are improving the lives of people in greater western Sydney.
Friday's ceremony was organised as part of the university's International Women's Day celebrations.
Category winners each receive a $5000 grant to further develop their leadership and advocacy work.
■ Elizabeth Reay: Deputy chief executive officer, Nepean Blue Mountains Medicare Local;
■ Karyn McNeil: Executive administrator at Woodbury Autism Education and Research in Baulkham Hills;
■ Dr Elizabeth Ricketts: Principal, St Aidan’s Primary School, Rooty Hill;
■ Debra Hansel: Aboriginal development officer, Telecross Australian Red Cross;
■ Lila Mularczyk: Principal, Merrylands High School;
■ Jacqueline Hornjik: Theatre producer, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre;
■ Grace Fava: Founder and president, not-for-profit charity Autism Advisory and Support Service in Liverpool;
■ Amanda Bowles: President and co-founder, Bears of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Inc;
■ Sue Walsh: Director system learning, Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta;
■ Jennifer Armstrong, Student of University of Western Sydney;
■ Gina Field: Managing director, Nepean Regional Security;
■ Mary Waterford: Executive officer, Western Sydney Community Forum.
■ Cathryn Ricketts: Drama teacher, Department of Education and Communities;
■ Ruth Fattal: Director, Ruth Fattal Haute Couture;
■ Melissa Radjenovic: Doctor at Liverpool Hospital and board member of St Simeon Retirement Village in Rooty Hill.