At a black-tie dinner recognising inspiring business women in Sydney’s Hyatt Regency last night, Natasha Chadwick, CEO of Queensland aged care facility, NewDirection Care Bellmere, was announced as the 2019 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.
Now in its 24th year, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards shine a light on women who have challenged thestatus quo, done things their own way, and achieved success in business. The program empowers Australia’s most successful women from small, medium and large businesses, for-purpose organisations and social enterprises, academia and the public sector.
The national winners were awarded following a thorough judging process, which involved in-depth interviews with a panel of high-profile judges, including Melanie Silva, Managing Director of Google Australia & New Zealand, Stevan Premutico, Founder of Dimmi, and Tracey Spicer, Journalist, Author and Founder of Outspoken Women.
Natasha Chadwick has been pioneering a new approach to aged care for the past seven years. She has created a first of its kind new microtown™ residential community for the elderly, as well as those living with younger onset dementia and complex care needs.
Replacing the typical institutional design of aged and nursing care facilities with a village of homes, her model works as a community where residents share houses, supported by staff as needed, and have access to a full list of services including shops, cafes, cinema, beauty salons, and more.
Ms Chadwick also took home the Medium & Large Business Award. In March she was also named the 2019 TelstraQueensland Business Woman of the Year.
The full list of the 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards national winners are:
- Small Business Award: Jodie Silvester, Managing Director and Founder, KAS Accounting Solutions (WA)
- Public Sector and Academia Award: Debbie Platz, Assistant Commissioner, Australian Federal Police (QLD)
- For Purpose & Social Enterprise Award: Dushyanthi Thangiah, Chief Executive Officer, Yumba-Meta Housing Association (QLD)
- Emerging Leader Award: Genevieve Clay-Smith, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bus Stop Films (NSW)
- Business Woman of the Year Award and Medium & Large Business Award: Natasha Chadwick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NewDirection Care Bellmere (QLD)
Alex Badenoch, Telstra’s Group Executive of Transformation & People, congratulated the winners, who represent some of Australia’s most inspiring leaders challenging the status quo and paving the way for future generations.
“With a record-breaking 8,500 nominations across the country, this year’s winners represent a diverse range ofindustries and backgrounds and the judges were particularly impressed with their unwavering focus and determination to pursue their passions and achieve success in their own way,” Ms Badenoch said.
“Ms Chadwick has a strong vision for a sector that desperately needs change. Her model disrupts the status quo and addresses an issue that is gaining national attention. She leads this change with grit, resilience and compassion,” Ms Badenoch said.
Ms Badenoch added the Telstra Business Women’s Awards play a vital role in raising the profile of women in business.
“For 24 years, Telstra has recognised outstanding women in business and provided a platform for them to progress their careers and business ideas, as well as build a support network of like-minded people to connect with,” Ms Badenoch said.
Nominations are open year-round. Help recognise an outstanding business woman across Australia by nominating her – or yourself – today for 2020: telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/nominate/
