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Women of the West Award 2005

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Winner

Sister Mary-Louise Petro – Chief Executive Officer of Mamre Plains Ltd. (Left to Right: Clr Diane Finch, Denise McGrath and Sister Mary-Louise Petro)

Sister Mary-Louise has led the Mamre Project, a non-profit company of the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy, for two decades. During this time she has overseen the restoration of the historic Mamre Homestead. As well as the homestead, the whole site has been transformed and as a tearoom/restaurant and function centre, it enriches the lives of the community.

The Mamre Project has offered training and personal development courses to disadvantaged people and in a range of ways fulfilled its aims to provide services and programs that contribute to the alleviation of poverty and the achievement of well-being of disadvantaged individuals and groups.

Today, Mamre has businesses in catering and hospitality, retail, plant nursery and garden services, and provides employment to around 50 people. Sister Mary-Louise has previously received a Penrith Citizen of the Year Award, a St Marys Citizen of the Year Award, and was also named the Mulgoa electorate Woman of the Year for 2005, by the Hon Diane Beamer.

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Highly Commended

Councillor Dianne Finch JP – Hawkesbury City Council

Dianne was highly commended for leadership roles across a wide spectrum of community organisations in the Hawkesbury area including the Red Cross, Legacy, Girl Guides, Hawkesbury Tourism, Kurrajong Rural Fire Brigade, Hawkesbury State Emergency Services, Country Women’s Association and Kurrajong Public School, among many others.

Highly Commended

Denise McGrath – Chief Executive of the Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation

Denise was highly commended for her contributions to many practical and creative initiatives in the Macarthur area, and for raising in excess of $1 million for deprived and sick children in the Macarthur community.

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