Mr ALISTER HENSKENS (Wahroonga) (18:25): We are incredibly fortunate in the Wahroonga electorate to have an abundance of incredible women who contribute so much to our community. Their dedication and passion enrich the lives of those around them, making our local area a better place to live, work and raise a family. Today I acknowledge two women's contributions to our community. The NSW Women of the Year Awards provide an important opportunity to highlight some of the exceptional women in our State who bring immense value to their local communities through their determination, bravery, skill and passion. I was thrilled to announce Catherine Knox as the 2025 Wahroonga Woman of the Year. That honour recognises Catherine's outstanding contributions and tireless efforts in supporting vulnerable women and children in our community.

Catherine has over 20 years of experience in leadership and women's advocacy. She has a strong passion for ending domestic violence and homelessness, and working to create a safe and supportive environment for those in need. Catherine currently chairs of the board of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter, where she collaborates with local people, businesses and community stakeholders to promote understanding of and provide essential services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse and homelessness. A few years ago Catherine took over as chair of what was a well-established but relatively new shelter. She has assisted the shelter to expand its reach, ensuring that more women in crisis have access to the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Catherine is a modest person, and she says that she is part of a team whose members all deserve an award. The outstanding work of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter is very much a team effort, but that does not diminish Catherine's personal contribution. Catherine's focus is to ensure the shelter's critical work supporting women in crisis is sustainable, is creating a positive impact and has the capacity to respond to growing needs. Through her efforts, Catherine has supported a strong team of professionals and volunteers at the shelter, ensuring that the organisation operates effectively and efficiently. Catherine's passion stems from a deep belief in equality of access to professional support for all women. She has been instrumental in raising awareness of gendered violence, poor mental health and homelessness—issues that require a whole‑of‑society response.

Beyond her work at the shelter, Catherine was the inaugural CEO and is a director of Gidget Foundation Australia. In that role, she has implemented innovative maternal mental health initiatives, ensuring that new mothers experiencing violence and abuse receive the support they need. Her work in this field has contributed to a broader understanding of maternal mental health and its connection to domestic violence. Catherine has been a tireless advocate for our community, and the community is no doubt richer for her contributions across the North Shore.

Another woman who has contributed significantly to the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter was also recognised at this year's NSW Women of the Year Awards. Dr Jessica Teoh was the NSW Young Woman of the Year, a statewide award that acknowledges her remarkable advocacy and professional achievements. Jessica is a passionate domestic violence advocate and a 2023 Churchill Fellow, one of only two women under the age of 30 in Australia to receive that honour. That prestigious fellowship has provided her with the opportunity to further her research and advocacy in the field of domestic violence intervention. As part of her Churchill Fellowship, Jessica has travelled to six countries where she has engaged with experts and organisations focused on domestic violence detection and intervention during pregnancy. Through that work, she has gained invaluable insights that she is now applying in Australia to improve outcomes for women and children facing domestic violence.

In Australia, Jessica is leading the implementation of domestic violence screening in early pregnancy clinics, aiming for policy changes in the New South Wales public healthcare system. Her work has the potential to transform how domestic violence is identified and addressed within the healthcare sector, ensuring that at-risk women receive support at a crucial time. Jessica is training to be an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist doctor at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where she sees firsthand the impact of domestic violence on pregnant women. Her medical expertise combined with her advocacy efforts makes her a powerful voice for change. Additionally, Jessica has taken part in the grants committee at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter. In that role, she has helped secure $100,000 in grants. I congratulate Catherine and Jessica on their awards and thank them for their great contributions to our community.