Community
26 March, 2025
Zonta recognises North West's future leaders
The Zonta Club of Mount Isa held its International Women's Day awards last week.
The future looks bright in the North West after the Zonta Club of Mount Isa identified 10 young women from the community for its 2025 International Women’s Day Awards.
Six were chosen for the Inspirational Young Woman category, which recognises a senior student who inspires others.
They included Good Shepherd Catholic College’s Madison Wills and Kaitlin Laffin, Spinifex’s Piper Cox and Madeleine Osinski, Jadar Crebbin from the Mount Isa Flexible School, and Faith Douglas from Cloncurry State School.
Four were picked by Zonta for the Community Spirit Young Woman category, which acknowledges a senior student who commits her spare time to extraordinary extra-curricular activities within the community.
Spinifex’s Shantae Hopkins and Sydnee Cleeland, along with Good Shepherd’s Winsome Mock and Holly Greenhalgh were this year’s recipients.
Zonta chair Nikki Rowsell said she was thrilled to recognise this year’s cohort of female leaders in the community and wished them well in future endeavours.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT YOUNG WOMAN AWARDS
– Sydnee Cleeland excels in rugby league and actively promotes girls’ participation in the sport through coaching and team creation.
Beyond sports, she fosters community well-being by encouraging gym involvement and co-founding a formal wear initiative to support students.
As a Corporal in the Australian Army Cadets, and preparing for army enlistment, Sydnee demonstrates exceptional leadership and a commitment to service, making her a remarkable role model.
– Shantae Hopkins is a resilient and driven young woman who excels as a school captain and Air Force Cadet, consistently stepping up to lead and support her peers.
Her dedication and hard work have enabled her to overcome challenges, serving as an inspiration to those around her.
Committed to her studies and community service, Shantae demonstrates exceptional leadership and a strong drive to reach her full potential.
– Holly Greenhalgh is a highly active community member, consistently volunteering at local events, lunch services, and youth groups, demonstrating a strong commitment to service.
She contributes significantly to Mount Isa Rugby League and showcases her musical talents, including being selected to play the The Last Post for Anzac Day.
Her dedication to community and leadership is further evidenced by her participation in state-level programs and conferences.
– Winsome Mock actively participates in school and community activities, demonstrating inclusivity and a willingness to help others, particularly through her involvement with Good Shepherd Parish.
Her experience at World Youth Day inspired her to advocate for personal growth and address community needs, positioning her as a strong leader.
As College Spiritual Leader, she aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment, balancing competitive spirit with a sense of belonging.
