The SA Woman Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of women-led businesses in South Australia. They not only give the winning businesses and finalists well-deserved recognition, but also a platform and opportunity to showcase their business and success.
Every year, we have more & more to cheer about!
While the inaugural event was held in November 2018 at the Duke of Brunswick, bringing together 60 women in business, this year we celebrated at the Adelaide Convention Centre with over 300 women and men cheering on the achievements of women in business.
From start-ups to employees to major businesses, our award categories recognise women who are excelling at all different stages in their business & career journey.
The SA Woman Awards are inclusive and diverse in their recognition.
We are here to celebrate women doing amazing things in all industries, businesses sizes and locations. Women of all backgrounds, family status, colour, cultures and experience.
The Awards are designed to shine a light on the incredible talent and diversity South Australian women in business embody.
Rise Up Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Kelly Hody Mkt Etc
For a woman who has had a year of growth in their business.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Bec Hardy – Bec Hardy Wines
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Emily Riggs – Iris and Wool
FINALISTS:
- Kate Barnett + Natalie Jones – We Connect Property
- Amanda Hollingsworth – AJ Holistic
Emerging Woman in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Pottering Around
For a woman with a business under 12 months old who has shown strength, courage and a determination to excel.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Emily Bennett – That Hashtag Girl
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Kristie Kemp – The Picnic Tribe
FINALISTS:
- Jodi Facy – Facy & Co.
- Lauren Lewis & Kara Colette – Alora Conveyancing
First Nations Woman in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Bully’s Meats
For an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman who has had a year of growth in their business (for both new or established businesses).
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Rebecca Wessels – Ochre Dawn
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Bianca Stawiarski – Warida Wholistic Wellness
FINALIST:
- De Greer-Yindimincarlie – Yindi Artz / XcessFIT
Quiet Achiever Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Angela Pickett Copywriter
For a woman who has done phenomenal things consistently in business, but rarely toots her own horn.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Chloe Cocks – Roar Speech
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Alysha Sparks – Alysha Sparks Artist
FINALISTS:
- Rachel Reiter – Hopscotch Branding Studio
- Kara Lambert – Kara Lambert
Regional Woman in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Your Estate Lawyer
For a regional woman in business who has created a thriving business and is an advocate for her community.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Sandy Davis – Davo’s Deli
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Alison Meaney – Bukirk Glamping
FINALISTS:
- Nicola Adams – Redwing Farm
- Nan Berrett – Word Solutions
- Fiona Telfer – South East Property Sales + Management
The Heart Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Warida Wholistic Wellness
For a business that has at it’s heart the needs of their local community (eg. Social enterprise/not for profit/community organisation).
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Dinah Thomasset-Hearn – Villagehood Australia
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Heleen Roex – Doctors for Nutrition
FINALISTS:
- Sabrina Davis – Stories for Impact
- Coralie Bubner – Creating Community Locally
Young Woman in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: The Carers Place
For a woman under 30 (as at 1 July 2021) who has started her own business and shown personal growth, tenacity, determination and an entrepreneurial spirit.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Emma Duncan – Halo Hair Collective
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Courtney Schultz – ASD Support and Education
FINALISTS:
- Chelsea Whitbread – Le Dance Performing Arts
- Terri Williams – Clever Fox Creative
The Disabled Woman in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: The Growing Space
For a disabled woman in business who has created a growing business and contributes to the positive conversation about disabled people at work (through deliberate campaigns or simply by leading through example).
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Keli Doubikin – Spiral Coordination
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Natalie Wade – Equality Lawyers
FINALISTS:
- Helen Edwards – Australian Bookish Shop
- Alinta Neumann – Macey + Me
The Backbone Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Bully’s Meats
For a woman in business who is the backbone of the family business or place of employment. Recognising the valuable contributions of women – even if they aren’t the listed business owner, because without them the business would not run nor operate as smoothly.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Jodie Hawkes – Bowhill Engineering
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Tracey Gordon – JVS Bodyworks
FINALISTS:
- Rebecca Bendikov – Lumination & Beam Camp
- Rebbecca Giannone – Spizzico Fine Foods
The Mum in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: ActivOT
For a woman who is juggling motherhood and business and shown great growth in their business in the last 12 months.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Maggie Dmochowski – Adelaide Bakes
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Beck Woodland – Inky Soda
FINALISTS:
- Mary-Jane McArdle – McArdle Projects
- Rachelle Lessue – Tangled Kids Hair Care
- Alice Pennington – Paliant Design
The Innovator Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Webb Software
For a woman who has created a business that shows innovation in an existing industry or new concept.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Yovanka Loria – Yovanka Loria
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Bianca McLean – The Pond Swim Centre
FINALISTS:
- Fiona Ahern – Intermix Workforce
- Crystle Range – Luna Boutique Massage Caravan
The Leadership Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Wine Angels Australia
For a woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, overcome challenges, shown determination and exemplified team spirit – in a business or organisation.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Deb Penaluna – DEWC Services Pty Ltd
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Margot John – KX Pilates Brighton, North Adelaide & Blackwood
FINALISTS:
- Caroline Phillips – District Council of Karoonda East Murray
- Amanda Ewbank – Pebble and Palm
The Allrounder Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: SA Woman Australia
For a woman who has excelled in a number of areas and shown persistance and dedication to their role and has overcome hurdles.
CATEGORY WINNER:
- Libby Parker – Expressions Media
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER:
- Lauren Whiting – LIFT Cancer Care Services
FINALISTS:
- Amy Van Dyk – Advance Behavioural Training
- Madeeha Usman – The Kalculators
Community Award (Members Only)
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: SA Woman Australia
To recognise the contribution of a SA Woman members to the community in line with the SA Woman values and mission.
We are incredibly grateful for the businesses who have put their support behind South Australian women in business by being a sponsor for the SA Woman Awards. They allow us to create an event that truly celebrates and showcases the talented women in business across South Australia.
To find out more about becoming a sponsor, please email us HERE.
In addition to all our Category Sponsors listed above, we are lucky to also have the following businesses a part of the SA Woman Awards.Â
MAJOR SPONSORS
– We have been honoured to celebrate the achievements of women in business in South Australia since our first Awards night in 2018. Now in its third year, we cannot wait to showcase our next generation of award winners!
Rise Up Award
2020: Megan Potter, Megan Potter Cosmetics
2019: Bree May, Food According to Bree
2018: Shanti Wilby, From the Wild
New Woman on the Block Award
2020: Genevieve Hodge, Spire – Youth Coaching & Leadership
2019: Megan Hodge, Your Wealthy Life
2018: Kristy Robertshaw, Charlie & Jack
Regional Star Award
2020: Julie Trenaman, JT Elements – Unleash your business potential
2019: Natasha English McCulloch, Hip Hop Bounce
2018: Alex Morgan, Move Pilates Studio
Quiet Achiever Award
2020: Jo McDonald, Move Through Life Dance Studio
2019: Naomi Husain, Kanti Yoga
2018: Janine Boyd, Little Picassos
CONNECTION Award
2020: Wendy Perry, Switch Start Scale
2019: Carolyn Jeffrey, Women in Business Regional Network
2018: Ayesha Michael, Yellow Cake Creative Roxby Downs
Heart AwardÂ
2020: Melanie Tate, Puddle Jumpers Incorporated
2019: Steph Malan, The Village Co.
2018: Claire Byrt, Love Local Fleurieu
Mum in Business Award
2020: Sam Paior, The Growing Space
2019: Elaine Tang, Melvory Skincare
Backbone Award
2020: Kelly Dawson-Fitzpatrick, Hydro-Jet Solutions Australia
2019: Melina Seltsikas, LS Design Construct
All Rounder Award
2020: Cassandra Day, The Carers Place
2019: Alex Karatassa, Five Four Entertainment & Taking Back Saturday
First Nations Woman in Business Award
2020:Kerry Colbung, Mandanga Enterprises
Innovator Award
2020: Helen Whait, ActivOT
Leadership Award
2020:Â Heather Croall, Adelaide Fringe
Young woman in business Award
2021: TBA
Member of the Year/COMMUNITY Awards
2020: Sandra Senn, Hashtag Insta Prints
2020:Â Kelly Hody ~ Kelly Hody Mkt Etc
2020:Â Shelley Cox ~ Workspace Barossa
2019: Robyn Verrall, Bullys Meats
2018: Katharine Crane, Crane Creative
Who can be nominated?
Any women in business who is located within South Australia. All regions. All industries. All sizes of business.Â
The Backbone award is there to recognise women who work within other businesses – eg. employees and family businesses.
what is the awards process?
Step 1: NOMINATE
We are all about celebrating women in business in all industries and regions. Nominations are open until the 31st of August.
Step 2:Â APPLICATIONS – OPTIONAL
This step is completely OPTIONAL.
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN EARLY JULY, nominees will be notified at this email address as soon as they open up, so keep an eye out! They will close on September 10th at midnight.
Step 3: JUDGING
Applications will be read (yes we read every single one!!) and judged by our team (and select volunteers). Each category will be shortlisted and finalists chosen. The timeframe to shortlisting is dependent upon number of applications received.
Finalists will be announced on facebook, instagram and our social media channels.
The Judging panel is kept anonymous.
Step 4: PEOPLE’S CHOICE
When finalists are announced, People’s Choice will also open up. These winners are based on number of votes they recieve. Because we want to ensure the love is spread around, applicants can not win both people’s choice AND overall category.
4. CATEGORY WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Winners will be celebrated and announced at our Awards Gala Dinner on the 12th of November. Get your fave outfit and your dancing shoes ready! Tickets will be available mid-year.
IS THERE A FEE TO APPLY?
While there is no fee to nominate, there is a fee for the submission of applications, this goes directly towards all the costs associated with running the SAW Awards (admin, software, judging time etc). SA Woman receives no government funding or grants to run the SA Woman Awards. There is NO requirement to complete an application just because someone has been nominated, it is entirely up to them if they want to put themself forward.
For many just the recognition alone gives them some added sparkle. From previous years, about a quarter of nominees then go on to apply.
So to apply nominees can either:
1. Pay a one-off Application Fee of $88 (incl GST). Paid at time of completing their Application. OR
2. Become an SA Woman member (from $99 incl GST) and access all the additional benefits being a member brings. Such as being part of our incredibly supportive community of women in business from all over SA, receive opportunities to showcase your business, be able to load your listing to our directory and access support from our team and your fellow SA Woman members. All members receive ONE application included as part of their membership. You can find out more about SA Woman and how to become a member at www.sawoman.com.au/join.
WHERE IS THE AWARDS NIGHT?
The Awards Night will be held on November 12th at Adelaide Oval.Â
Tickets will be available in July.
WHAT DO WINNERS RECEIVE?
Winners receive an award plaque and gift on Awards night and subsequent showcasing of their business accross the SA Woman channels.
Finalists are also detailed in Social Media group posts in the leadup and on the Blog. And become part of the SA Woman Alumnae group.