Six amazing women of the Illawarra awarded
The NSW Government announces the 2026 Local Women of the Year recipients
Last week New South Wales honoured the state's 2026 Local Women of the Year, including five outstanding recipients from Illawarra electorates.
Members of parliament nominated the recipients as part of a state-based program that annually celebrates women’s contributions to their local communities. The awards were announced last Thursday, 5 March, alongside the NSW Women of the Year Awards held as part of Women's Week.
Congratulations to all the 2026 Local Women of the Year recipients.
L to R: Dr Tamantha Stutchbury, Neridah Armstrong and Val Fell OAM
Dr Tamantha Stutchbury, Wollongong
Dr Tamantha Stutchbury has transformed Wollongong’s innovation landscape and empowered women in STEM. As Director of iAccelerate at the University of Wollongong, Dr Stutchbury has supported more than 380 companies, created over 1,000 local jobs and contributed nearly half a billion dollars to the local economy. She’s secured over $4 million in funding for programs that provide opportunities for women, Aboriginal people and regional entrepreneurs.
Neridah Armstrong, Heathcote
Neridah Armstrong is a passionate advocate for fairness and inclusion in Heathcote. Neridah has championed improved access to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, drawing on her own lived experience to push for change in the health system by reducing specialist wait times, helping with the financial strain of ongoing treatment and removing the negative stigma associated with ADHD.
Val Fell OAM, Keira
Val Fell OAM is an advocate for dementia awareness. Following the death of her husband, who lived with dementia for nearly a decade, Val started a local support group for carers of people living with dementia in Corrimal and an annual Illawarra Dementia Forum. Val has completed short courses with Dementia Australia and the University of Tasmania (UTAS), and at the age of 93, enrolled in a Bachelor of Dementia Care at UTAS.
L to R: Corrine Ann Boyle, Irene Birks and Suzanne Eggins
Corrine Ann Boyle, Shellharbour
Corrine Ann Boyle has been a dedicated volunteer with Warilla Barrack Point Surf Life Saving Club, supporting major surf carnivals and community events since 2011. Corrine’s contributions include assisting at surf club barbecues and supporting events such as the Sydney Water Carnival and Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships. Corrine also volunteers with her local Vinnies shop and church.
Irene Birks, Kiama
Irene Birks has devoted nearly 2 decades to volunteering across Berry and the Shoalhaven regions. Irene has served nearly 20 years with the Australian Red Cross, spent 10 years as a Lifeline counsellor and has supported many other aged care organisations. She is also a committee member for Meals on Wheels, helping deliver essential nutrition services to seniors, and volunteers with Shoalhaven Palliative Care, providing comfort to families.
Suzanne Eggins, Kiama
Suzanne Eggins has transformed the way Kiama celebrates and preserves its cultural heritage. Suzanne has led the Kiama Historical Society since the mid-1980s and oversees the Pilot’s Cottage Museum, which houses local heritage artefacts accessible to the entire community. Through compelling storytelling and tireless advocacy, Suzanne has helped enrich Kiama's cultural identity.
