This International Women’s Day (IWD) marked a very special milestone for Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC), as it celebrated 50 years of caring for women on the Coast.

To honour the occasion, CCCWHC partnered with The Ary Toukley and Star 104.5FM, for an event filled with connection, inspiration and celebration, as it continues to advocate for safe and healthy futures for women across our region.

CCCWHC CEO, Sara Foster, says this IWD has given us the chance to reflect on the achievements of the past five decades, but also raises awareness about the inequities that remain.

“Over five decades, our Centre has supported 100,000 women and girls. We have walked alongside these women while they navigate violence, reproductive healthcare inequities, mental health strain, caring overload, housing insecurity and financial hardship,” says Sara.

“There have been some incredible achievements during this time. But fifty years later, the work is not finished. There are currently 183,000 women living on the Central Coast and 1 in 3 of these women will experience violence or significant disadvantage.

“We thank the Central Coast community for coming together this IWD to support our work, because when women struggle, the ripple is felt everywhere, by everyone.”

Marketing Manager for The Ary Toukley, Debbie Dickson, says the celebration drew people from all parts of the community to champion women’s health and wellbeing across our region and beyond.

“The IWD event attracted 115 guests from across the Coast including MP’s, Councillors, business owners, school representatives and community members,” says Debbie.

“Guests came together to support the work of CCCWHC, enjoy live music, a delicious 3-course meal, and hear from inspiring guest speakers including a keynote presentation by leading women’s legal advocate, Hayley Dean. Hayley spoke about why this year’s IWD theme of ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls’ is so important to balance the scales for women everywhere.”

CCCWHC and The Ary Toukley thank event sponsors including Star 104.5FM, The Event Hub Australia, East Coast Beverages and Lindt Chocolates for their generous donations to this special event.

To find out how you can support women on the Coast go to ccwh.org.au

Celebrating 50 Years of Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre

All award categories are for women who have improved the lives of women in our community through their involvement with CCCWHC, with the exception of the Spirit of Sisterhood Award, which is open to women across the Central Coast.

Nominations Open: Wednesday 4 March 2026

Nominations Close: Thursday 4 June 2026

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Our Award Categories:

Founders Legacy: Honouring those who helped establish or shape our organisation in its early years.

Pioneer of Change: For trailblazers of CCCWHC who championed new services, advocacy or reform.

Compassion in Action: Recognises a woman whose kindness, empathy and commitment have made a meaningful difference to women in our community.

Volunteer Excellence: Recognising exceptional dedication and generosity of time from a past or present CCCWHC volunteer.

Behind the Scenes Heroine: Celebrating those whose quiet contributions have made a powerful difference to our organisation.

Spirit of Sisterhood: This category is open to women from across the Central Coast who have supported and uplifted other women in our community through their kindness and compassion in action. Nominees in this category do not have to be directly connected to the work done at CCCWHC.

Lifetime Contribution to Women's Health: Recognising a sustained impact to improve the quality of women's health over many years of service to CCCWHC.

50-Year Impact: Celebrating an individual whose work has left a lasting imprint on CCCWHC and the lives of women in our broader community.

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Judging Process:

• To ensure fairness, transparency and integrity, all nominations will be assessed through a thorough judging and evaluation process.
  
• Award recipients will be selected based on the overall strength of the nomination, the demonstrated impact of their contribution, and the alignment of their work with CCCWHC values.
  
• Judging may consider factors such as demonstrated leadership, innovation, collaboration, long-term contribution and impact.
  
• The judging panel’s deliberations will remain confidential to protect the privacy of nominees and the integrity of the process.

Eligibility:

• Nominations are open to past and current CCCWHC staff, volunteers, community members, facilitators, and women who have contributed to CCCWHC during the past 50 years.
  
• Self-nominations are permitted.
  
• All nominees need to be current Central Coast residents or have been living on the Central Coast at the time of service.
  
• Nominators are permitted to submit multiple nominees in the same category or across multiple categories, however a separate submission is required for each nomination.

Nomination Process

• Nominations are open from Wednesday 4 March 2026 to Thursday 4 June 2026.
  
• Nominations must be submitted via the online form. Please provide as much supporting evidence as possible in your nomination, including dates of service, specific examples and number of women impacted, to support your application.
  
• Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
  
• CCCWHC reserves the right to contact nominators or nominees to seek further clarification on information provided in nominations.

Confidentiality and Privacy

• All form submissions are protected via 256-bit SSL.
  
• The personal information of nominees and nominators will only be used for the purposes of managing the award selection process.
  
• Nominators’ identities will not remain confidential, unless specifically requested.

Publicity and Media

• Shortlisted nominees will be contacted prior to the Awards night to provide consent for their names, images and stories to be publicly shared, and used in promotional material and further media opportunities. 
  
• Submitted materials (e.g. photos, testimonials) may be used as part of media and publicity following the Awards night.

Award Withdrawal or Revocation

• CCCWHC reserves the right to amend categories or cancel the Awards if required.

Decision-Making Authority

• The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  
• CCCWHC reserves the right to interpret the Award criteria at its discretion.

Award Ceremony

• All shortlisted nominees and nominators will be invited to attend our 50 Year Gala Awards Night on Friday 24 July, from 6pm at voco Gosford. Tickets will be at own cost.

Accessibility 

• Should you require assistance to submit a nomination or have any questions, please contact us at: hello@ccwh.org.au