The second annual Women Out West Awards were held on 6 September 2011 at Dubbo RSL Club.
These prestigious awards are held to celebrate the most inspirational and outstanding women in the western regions of NSW. There are several categories and all nominees are recognised for their contribution to their community and for their individual achievments.
Mrs Hellen Mannix , Manager of the Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Service Limited was nominated by the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Limited in the category “Saveway Employment & Training Award for Outstanding Woman Employee”.
Hellen has been at BAHSL since 2005, maintaining an efficient and professional service and managing her staff of eight with a firm but fair hand. She is the only Registered Nurse with post graduate qualifications in palliative care, immunisation, triage patient assessment and management, diabetes management and education and haemodialysis.

Hellen has to travel often to attend meetings which means being away from her husband and five children.
Living out of town on a dirt road, she frequently has to travel to work in muddy conditions and at one time had to „boat it‟ to work when flood waters cut her off. Hellen was nominated as a finalist and received her award from Ms Ita Buttrose who was the guest speaker of the evening.

Ita Buttrose held the audience captive describing both the struggles and high points through her life in reaching the goals she has
attained. She also spoke of how it is possible to be a good mother and still be successful in your chosen career.
Ms Buttrose presented each finalist and winner with their award and congratulated them all for the hard work and dedication that has given them this recognition and the pride they should feel for reaching this achievement.

The overall winner on the night was Lee Judd who is the District Leader and many believe the “guiding hand‟ of the Girl Guide movement in Dubbo. She has a belief that the movement is helping girls and young woman succeed and it is her enthusiasm that has been a driving force in coaxing them into joining what had been a declining membership.

The entertainment had been kept under wraps until the night of the event but the audience was delighted when Dale Burridge and Daniella Everett appeared on stage. Mr Burridge and Miss Everett have starred in numerous musicals including Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. Their magnificent voices kept everyone spellbound, leaving them disappointed when the duo came to the end of their performance.

WAMS personnel who helped Hellen celebrate the evening were Christine Corby, CEO; Reg Humphreys, Deputy CEO; Jessie Richardson, Clinic Manager and Diana Dalley, consultant to both WAMS and BAHSL.

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