Perth’s Asha Bhat OAM has been announced as one of the National and State recipients of the 2024 Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership.
Ms Bhat said in a statement:
“It is my absolute honour to now stand in the ranks beside previous winners including The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, Sam Kerr OAM, Janine Allis and Nova Peris OAM OLY. These extraordinary women have paved the way for future generations and I am inspired to continue forging pathways of my own.”
Ms Bhat is the CEO of Southern Aboriginal Corporation and for the past 15 years has called Albany home, where she passionately advocates for women in rural areas.
Her transformative journey from Karnataka in India to Australia in 2004 has been marked by an unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights.
The award committee observed:
“Asha has exhibited a tireless work ethic, profound dedication, and genuine compassion. As the driving force behind the Southern Aboriginal Corporation, Asha mirrors the organisation’s mission to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”
In 2017, Ms Bhat received the Albany Citizen of the Year Award, in 2020 Women in Business award, and in 2022 the Pro Bono Australia Impact Award.
Recognizing her outstanding contributions, Ms Bhat was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her service to WA’s Indigenous community.
In 2023, she received the WA Multicultural Award 2023 – Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award. In addition to this honour, she has also been inducted into the Western Australia Women’s Hall of Fame in recognition of the mark she has left on the local community in the business category.
These awards, nominated by the public, are awarded by Women & Leadership Australia, to celebrate accomplishments across business, government, and community.
The 2024 Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership receipients are as follows:
• NATIONAL – Sam Mostyn AO
• ACT – Joanne Farrell
• NSW – Wendy McCarthy AO Life Fellow FAICD
• NT – Dr Sarah Goddard
• QLD – The Hon Susan Kiefel AC KC
• SA – Khadija Gbla
• TAS – Dr Natasha Vavrek
• VIC – Prof Dr Marcia Langton AO*
• VIC – Georgie Stone*
• WA – Asha Bhat OAM
Karen Taylor, Women & Leadership Australia CEO, said:
“Recognising and acknowledging the impacts of exceptional leadership is essential. The Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership allow us to celebrate and spotlight the contributions of these exceptional individuals, to progress the public conversation around diversity in leadership and provide positive role models for the next generation.”
The recipients of the 2024 Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership will accept their awards at the Australian Women’s Leadership Symposiums, and Inspired Leadership Series events across Australia.
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