Women of the West Award 2006

Winner

Dr Elizabeth McCusker – Neurologist and Service Director, Sydney West Huntington Disease Service, Westmead (pictured with UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid)

In 1987, Elizabeth founded the Huntington Disease Service at Lidcombe Hospital. Following the closure of the Lidcombe Hospital, Dr McCusker advocated and oversaw the establishment of a new and much more comprehensive service in Western Sydney including an outreach community program. The outreach service has operated for over 10 years and reached all corners of NSW. The service is considered by many, locally and internationally, as a model of care. 

Dr McCusker’s compassion, determination, leadership and clinical expertise has assisted approximately 500 people and their families. In Elizabeth’s 'spare time' she leads local teams in international research endeavours on HD disease. World renowned, Dr McCusker has played a role in attempts to develop new therapies for Huntington's Disease. Her accomplishments over the past 25 years have recently been recognised by her election to the position of Secretary-General of the World Federation of Neurology's Research Group on Huntington's Disease.

Highly Commended

Councillor Mollie Thomas – Campbelltown City Council (pictured with UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid)

Mollie has been a community worker in the Campbelltown area for the past 15 years – tirelessly working with the Aboriginal and Pacific Islander Communities, in particular identifying health issues such as diabetes and poor children’s health. Her remarkable contributions encompass community development, advocacy, mentoring and training. 

Mollie has served on Campbelltown City Council since 2004. She has held leadership roles with a number of community organisations including: Campbelltown City Council’s Access & Disability Sub Committee; Liverpool/Macarthur Regional Advisory Council to the Community Relations Commission; Member of Police Accountability Community Team; and a member of the Pacific Communities Council – peak body for Pacific Communities of NSW. 

She is committed to community harmony and her involvement extends beyond her professional capacity to effectively reaching out and helping those in need.

Nominees for 2006

The University congratulates all those women from across Greater Western Sydney nominated for the 2006 Women of the West Award.

• Ruth Apps, retired/volunteer
• Judith Bridges, McDonalds Family Restaurant, Emu Plains
• Robyn Dalton, retired/volunteer
• Anne Fuller, Director, Elite Care Nursing Agency
• Councillor Barbara Gapps, Blacktown City Council
• Rebecca Gilling, Project Manager, Planet Ark
• Jane Holdsworth, CEO, Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation
• Rhonda Loftus, District Manager, Hills Community Health Service
• Andrea Turner Boys, Director, The Complete Basketcase

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