CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes board member, Lynda Edwards, has been named the 2023 NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year at the NSW Women of the Year Awards, held in Sydney. Ms Edwards was also named NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.
“I am surrounded by strong women. This isn’t just about me, it’s a journey of everyone that works in the financial literacy space for First Nations people,” Ms Edwards said after receiving the awards.
Ms Edwards spent the early part of her career as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer within the NSW Police Force. She then spent 11 years as a Finance Officer with her local council, leading her to join CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes as an Aboriginal Financial Literacy Worker with the ‘Manage Your Income’ Program. Today. she is the Coordinator Financial Capability at Financial Counselling Australia.
NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, said, “Ms Edwards is a proud Wangkumara and Barkandji woman from the Central West who is a dedicated voice and volunteer for her community, as well as a passionate advocate for the financial rights, fairness and inclusion of First Nations people across NSW and Australia”.
“Ms Edwards’ work in the financial sector over the past 17 years has resulted in significant improvements in the way financial services engage with, assist and support First Nations people and communities”, Mr Perrottet said.
Minister for Women, Bronnie Taylor, said, “this prestigious award celebrates nobility of character, commitment to change and the strength to succeed, all attributes held by Ms Edwards.”
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO, Anne-Marie Mioche, said Ms Edwards, “is a dedicated advocate for First Nations people in the financial sector”.
“Her work has contributed significantly to fairer financial outcomes for First Nations people. Her valuable contribution to our community in western NSW also includes serving in the voluntary role of director of the CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes board,” she added.
