Jo Sammut, formerly Manager of the Building Stronger Communities – Macquarie Fields initiative, Housing NSW

Jo Sammut

Jo Sammut has been nominated for the 2012 Women of the West Award for her contributions to bringing a sense of community unity back to Macquarie Fields, following the social disturbances of 2005.

As the Regeneration Manager, responsible for the implementation of the NSW Government's Building Stronger Communities (BSC) 2007-2010 initiative in Macquarie Fields, Jo was part of a team that worked with the local community, non government and government agencies   to improve physical, learning and employment and social conditions.

The broader goal of the initiative, over a period of four years, was to involve local residents and service providers in improving the local housing and environment; creating access to educational opportunities and employment for residents; and breaking the cycle of disadvantage in the area. 

Jo was nominated by Jan Nicoll, a member of the Macquarie Fields community who was announced as the winner of the Women of the West Award in 2009 for her advocacy of youth in the region. In her nomination, Ms Nicoll outlined the personal impact that Jo Sammut has had, in achieving the goals of the BSC initiative and allowing residents to rediscover their local pride.

"Few are able to come into a community from outside and connect as Jo did. She was able to tune into the very inner parts of our community, guide us to recognise and harness the capacity of community development, and give us the gift of self empowerment," says Ms Nicoll.

Eileen Burke from the Workventures Connect Centre, who worked in partnership with Jo Sammut in Macquarie Fields, describes the Women of the West nominee as a "person who gives, listens, supports, comforts, accommodates and becomes a friend to many, many people."

Lisa Eggers, a colleague from Housing NSW, says Jo Sammut is a role model for all her staff, who "is professional at all times, but goes beyond the normal role of a leader; she is considerate and selfless and motivating in her attitude to her wok and the staff around her."

Caroline Wright, a member of the local Brewarrina – Ngemba tribe, took the nomination process as an opportunity to say thank you:

"Jo Sammut changed my life. She won't let you say 'no, I can't', she taught us 'yes, I can'... She gave me a new world of hope."

 

Photo: Sally Tsoutas

Contact: Danielle Roddick, Senior Media Officer