While Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced on August 30 a new 10-year $320 million initiative to help improve the political, economic and social opportunities of Pacific women, a Cook Islands woman leader was to receive a leadership award the next day in Melbourne.
Cook Islands leader Mrs. Ngatuaine (Nga) Hosking, who lives in Melbourne’s southeast, won the highly commended Empowering Monash Women’s Inaugural Award 2012 on Friday 31st August at the Monash City Civic Centre in Glen Waverley, Melbourne.
Mrs. Hosking was presented with the award by City of Monash CEO Dr. Andi Diamond and Monash Cr. Micaela Drieberg. She won the award for leadership and contribution to the Cook Islands and wider community in the City of Monash through her successful and tireless volunteer and paid work.
Monash Mayor Stefanie Perri said, “The inaugural Empowering Monash Women Awards is one way in which the City of Monash is recognising local women who are leading, inspiring, and making things happen in Monash. Nga is truly one of the stand-out women of Monash and an inspiring leader in the community of Clayton and its surrounds. I have been delighted to have worked closely beside great women such as Nga who has shown what a powerful presence and terrific influence that they can have on our community. I have seen Nga contribute selflessly to our community and inspire those around her to achieve great things. She is a tremendous advocate for not only the Pacific community in Monash, but the broader community in its entirety.”
Mrs Hosking spoke from the heart to a captivated audience of over one hundred invited guests, including Theo Zographos from the Office of Member for Burwood MP Graham Watt and Inga Peulich, Member of Legislative Council for South Eastern Metropolitan Region.
Mrs Hosking spoke about the important roles that all women have in communities as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and workers in world economies. She said the roles that women contribute in society need to be acknowledged, celebrated and encouraged to connect, strengthen, support and empower community.
Mrs Hosking works as the Community Development and Partnership Officer for the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC) in Melbourne’s South East region. She organizes, supports, and trains women in the City of Monash and surrounding areas to become Woman Champions for VIRWC’s “Women Building Bridges” Project. Woman Champions undergo leadership training to develop meaningful projects in the local community that connect people, local government, service providers and other institutions.
According to VIRWC Executive Director Melba Marginson, “Nga’s strong people skills make her an effective community worker for the VIRWC and leader for the wider community. Australia is faced with many challenges that are generated by ill-conceived policies and programs in regard to its growing multicultural population. It will benefit by having culturally competent community leaders like Nga in every locality.”
As a contributor to women’s leadership development in the Pacific Islands, Australia is in a good position to utilize the skills of Nga Hosking and other Pacific women who are already in leadership roles in Australia to service to the needs of their counterparts in their countries of origin.
Article written by:
Executive Director VIRWC Melba Marginson and Ms Mel Santangelo:

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