The ACT’s Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts has been named marie claire’s Change-Maker of the Year
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They’re the game-changing Australian women who have fought with passion, led with bravery, and inspired with creativity – and now one of the ACT’s own has made the list.
Recently unveiling their winners for the 2024 marie claire Women of the Year Awards, the ACT’s inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, has been named the Change-Maker of the Year.
Recognised alongside Emma McKeon (Icon of the Year), Saya Sakakibara (Champion of the Year), Sarah Williams (Advocate of the Year) and eight other amazing women, the special category celebrates “a driving force who has tirelessly advocated for change and been successful in their pursuits.”
Forcibly removed from her family at the age of 10, Vanessa is a mother, a practising lawyer, and works to expose the injustices First Nations children continue to face in Australia.
Recently releasing her book Long Yarn Short, her writing has been featured in esteemed publications such as The Guardian, Indigenous X, Junkie, and Victoria’s Women Trust and was named the winner of the 2019 Human Rights Medal.
Judged by a panel of powerhouse women – the Producer and CEO of Hello Sunshine Sarah Harden; journalist and TV presenter Edwina Bartholomew; actor and activist Chloe Hayden; chef and author, Kylie Kwong; journalist, newspaper and TV presenter, Narelda Jacobs OAM; SBS World News presenter Janice Petersen, and activist and author Grace Tame; marie claire editor Georgie Abay; and Are Media CEO Jane Huxley – the winners were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on Wednesday 13 November.
Georgie McCourt, editor of marie claire says: “The marie claire Women of the Year awards celebrate exceptional women doing extraordinary work. As leaders in their chosen fields, these game-changers are leading with courage and rejecting the status quo in order to build a brighter future for our next generation.”
“We know women are phenomenal and powerful, but these awards are a spectacular reminder of this power. All of these celebrated women have worked
incredibly hard for what they’ve achieved. Nothing has come easily. They don’t do it for fame or fortune. They do it because they passionately believe in what they’re fighting for and it is an honour to recognise the commitment, passion and bravery of this inspirational group of women.”
Keep an eye out! The winners of the 2024 Women of the Year Awards will be featured in the December issue of marie claire, which is on sale from today (Thursday 14 November).
Feature image: Hugh Stewart.
