2024 Women of Western Sydney Awards Winners

Woman of Western Sydney (Arts)

Joint Winner: Alicia Talbot 

Alicia Talbot is passionate about culture and Country and works across cultural strategy, programming, and infrastructure. Alicia brings her strong knowledge of arts, culture, place, and community to co-design and develop new strategies for the culture-led transformation of cities, place, and precinct. Over the last five years, Alicia has delivered cultural strategies and project bids attracting over $200 million for Western Sydney. At Blacktown Arts, Alicia manages the design and delivery of cultural strategy, public art, and creative hubs for the city, including programming and operations for The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, and artist studios. Alicia is a member of Investment NSW, the Bradfield City Centre Arts and Culture Advisory Council, and the Western Sydney Arts Alliance. Alicia has extensive industry experience in both government and arts and culture, leading cultural programs nationally and internationally. She has long-lasting, meaningful connections and relationships across the Western Sydney region.

Joint Winner: Mouna Zaylah 

Mouna Zaylah has demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise in the arts and cultural development sector for over 30 years. Mouna has extensive experience in the sector, working within the Western Sydney community and local government. Currently, she is the Business and Engagement Manager (presently Acting Director) at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown City Council. Previously Mouna was Co-Director of the Arab Film Festival and has held various roles at notable arts organisations within the Western Sydney Region, including at Urban Theatre Projects (UTP), Casula Powerhouse, and at Information and Cultural Exchange. Mouna is on the UTP Board and a member of the Western Parkland City Authority Arts and Culture Advisory Panel. Mouna’s passion for the arts, coupled with her tireless advocacy for cultural diversity and social inclusion, makes her an invaluable asset to the arts and cultural development sector.

Woman of Western Sydney (Community)

Winner: Jhan Leach

Jhan Leach is a leader of the community sector in Western Sydney, providing ongoing outstanding contributions to the lives of women and girls in Blacktown Local Government Area and beyond. Currently, she is Executive Officer for the Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre, and the North-West Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Programs. Within her roles, she is responsible for providing leadership and management to staff, students, volunteers, and contractors providing services to women, girls’ and the broader communities of Blacktown and Nepean LGAs. Jhan has extensive experience working within Western Sydney communities on projects related to domestic violence and mental health, with a devotion to exploring and developing relationships between government and non-government organisations to expand service offerings to the people of the region. Jhan was also awarded The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award 2023 and named Woman of the Year Blacktown 2022.

Woman of Western Sydney (Indigenous Leadership)ing

Winner: Anna Dasler

Anna Dasler is a proud Gamilaroi woman living and working on Dharawal land. As a single mother, Anna graduated from Western Sydney University at age 43 with a Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) and was awarded the University Dean’s Medal. Her passion for improving First Nations health outcomes led to her current role as Integration and Priority Population Team Lead in the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network. Recognising the need for mainstream primary healthcare providers to be more culturally responsive, she developed a training series for GPs, supporting a practical approach to improving healthcare access for First Nations people. As a member of the Community Advisory Council for the Mental Health Commission of New South Wales, she brings a voice to the issues that affect the well-being of First Nations people. She is passionate about encouraging curious conversations to bring a greater understanding of First Nations culture.

Woman of Western Sydney (Social Enterprise)

Winner: Sahera Sumar

Sahera Sumar is a global leadership consultant, with over 15 years of experience in aligning strategy, culture, and leadership to build organisational effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability. Sahera is also the Founder and CEO of Worldwide SHEroes, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting women from underserved communities with accomplished global mentors. She aims to guide and inspire women to reach their leadership potential, promote self-reliance, and improve economic equity. In just two years, Worldwide SHEroes has engaged with 150 women across 35 countries, dedicating over 1000 hours to mentorship. Sahera is also a Peace Ambassador with the Institute of Economics and Peace, and Director at the New South Wales division of the United Nations Association of Australia, where she leads the Human Rights pillar. She has left her mark in over 25 countries through undertaking capacity-building projects with organisations like the World Bank, WHO, the World Food Program, and the Aga Khan Foundation.

Young Woman of Western Sydney Award (for women aged 18-28)

Winner: Matilda Harry

Matilda Harry is a proud Wiradjuri woman devoted to increasing the educational opportunities and independence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities across health, employment, policy, and reform sectors. She is a high achieving PhD candidate at Western Sydney University researching to empower and make meaningful change for all Australians, particularly First Nations communities. Matilda’s ongoing involvement with First Nations communities has led her to work in grassroots and peak body initiatives and institutions across local, state, and national platforms. Matilda loves her community and is proud to give back and support the young ones coming up!

Jennifer Westacott AO Woman of Western Sydney Award

Winner: Alison Covington AM

Alison Covington AM is an innovator, social entrepreneur, and the Founder & MD of Good360 Australia. Good360 connects surplus products from businesses to Australians who need them most. Since 2015, over 550 retailers and manufacturers have donated $410 million of brand-new products to Good360 for distribution to their network of over 4,000 charities and disadvantaged schools Australia-wide. Good360 has won the 2020 Charity of the Year in the Australian Charity Awards and the 2021 Judges Choice in The Circle Awards Aus & NZ for contributing to the circular economy. In 2021, Alison was awarded Western Sydney Woman of the Year, Western Sydney Community Woman of the Year, and NPF Third Sector Awards CEO of the Year. In 2022, Alison was appointed AM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her significant service to social welfare and sustainability programs. She is passionate about creating change that disrupts industries, empowers communities, and creates a better world.