cwmn
2023 awards
The Courageous Women Multicultural Awards formally recognise people and organisations who have fostered cross-cultural understanding and supported those with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to fully participate in all aspects of Western Australian life.
COURAGEOUS WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Yvonne Johnson
She is the chairlady of the Courageous Woman Multicultural Network (CWMN) and also one of the Co-Founders, serving as vice-chairlady of the group from 2016-2021. This lady sees the need for women to help each other by checking on their well being; she’d call a few of her friends to discuss the need of them supporting each other and to stop being isolated which could lead to many health issues.
The ladies then found it reasonable to form this group today called CWMN. She is the main donor financially for this group and does most of the organising of meetings, networking with service providers, organising events and venues for CWMN group activities in partnership with the other strong ladies within the group.
COMMUNITY PILLAR AWARD
Bouah Kardio
Bouah Kardio was the first Chairperson of the courageous women multicultural network and is currently serving as senior adviser for the CWMN’s group.
Madam Bouah Kardio is a Compassionate and supportive person, who explores new opportunities to help others grow, whilst availing her vast network of community relationships to the group, whenever we need assistance that we can not find within the group
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Grace Ombaso
As one of the group’s pillars, Grace is one of the CWMN oldest members who never misses a planned event. She shows leadership skills in being a strong advisor behind the scenes, and bringing up suggestions to help the group move towards a positive direction. Grace has the group at heart as she stays in touch even on her holidays overseas.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Raquel Castro
She has volunteered time through her contributions and providing her home for our life skills/tailoring classes. Raquel opened her home to the ladies and provided hospitality to the ladies while we were still looking for a public area to operate. Even after we had found a place to operate Raquel led the tailoring classes. Her social inclusion is excellent as she will always make time to attend every event planned by CWMN, with her constant support has been seen across the entire group.
COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR AWARD
Luiza Amar Ellement
Excellent communication and Social inclusion has been noticed across the group. Luiza attends every event planned by CWMN. She is one of our committed members who does not miss any events. Luiza has proven her love for the group by always showing concern and her constant reminders to her colleagues in the group to exercise their healthy lifestyle. Luiza will also go as far as promoting the group on her social networks.
SOCIAL INCLUSION AWARD
Margaret Sam-bin
She is the Head for our Fitness and Well-Being/Cultural Dance troupe.
Margaret always strives to make sure the CWMN cultural dance program participates in every event that we’re invited with no excuses. She uses her talents and passion to empower other women within the group and the wider community by forming a cultural group outside of CWMN’s activities to educate young children including her own to keep fit and learn cultural identity through dance! Her performance has brought awareness and publicity to the CWMN’s group and the wider community
MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY AWARD
Linda May Seward-Oraezu
She promotes diversity through her ability to easily relate to anyone within the CWMN group. Linda has never hesitated to form a cultural connection with our members, constantly representing CWMN in any capacity especially by conducting welcome-to-country at all CWMN events. Linda is also an experienced Torture and Trauma Councilor, from her time, working with the Australian Immigration Department.
Linda has a can-do spirit and CWMN is privileged to give this award to her.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Mary Scott
She has contributed to CWMN’s administrative work. Mary helped the group to apply for most of the grants we get from community organisations. Due to Mary’s passion in public health she will not hesitate to help the group in any capacity at her disposal, even on a short notice to help the group meet its deadlines. A very well deserved recognition indeed.
YOUTH AWARD
Isaac Adebisi
He has been volunteering and committing to CWMN Fitness classes. He has been the group instructor for the past 4 years. Isaac encourages the group on how important it is for the human body to be exercised for good health. He will even talk about the importance of the body’s performance and how well the heart will function if the ladies keep up their exercise routine. He encourages the ladies to bring their children for exercise and he keeps our young ladies engaged in various activities.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Mr. Jose Ciciliamma
He has helped CWMN to form its leadership group by making the layout from the very start of the group coming together. He helped the group setup the committee leadership department. He has offered his time and structured the group committee and gave the ladies who voluntarily offered their time to form the committee at the time a mini workshop at his workplace on how to operate as leaders, which has helped the group in its growth and successfully managing the group in its daily operations with no issues. This appreciation is given with sincerity for your hard work Mr. Jose Ciciliamma. Thank you.
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD
Cranston Haankwenda
He has mentored the leadership of the group to reach greater heights in as far as setting up the CWMN online footprint. With his extensive Business development experience Cranston has elevated the group’s position as a community group, and has been instrumental in the organising and making our Awards event a great success.
He is the founding consultant of an award winning boutique Business Development Agency that is strengthened by a team of consultants at the peak of their careers.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD
Dr Bisi Imonitie
A Lecturer, Consultant, Reinvention Strategist and an Internationally Certified Coach. She is the founder of Passionate Professionals Consulting Firm, which provides transformative leadership development coaching and cutting-edge mindset reinvention strategies. Her firm specialises in helping organisations, executives, and entrepreneurs build trusting teams through conversational intelligence and psychological safety and best practices. Through her Reinvent Yourself Coaching program and masterclass, Bisi inspires positive change and helps professionals break down self-imposed limiting barriers on their career journeys.
She has trained and mentored over 200 professional migrants in their first few years of arriving in Australia in the last 4 years.
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Selam Feleke Tegegn
Selam is an Ethiopian and Eritrean who grew up in Kenya after fleeing Ethiopia owing to political unrest. Her family were refugees in Kenya for five years before moving to Western Australia in 2004. She has lived in Australia for 20 years now, and has developed a passion for education, mentorship, and career advising. As an Intercultural Canning Cultural Ambassador and Community Engagement Specialist, she has served in various community organisations as a spokesperson, adviser, communication leader, activist, public relations, board member, and leader.
She has coordinated local government programmes, charity activities, community development, and organisation development and serves on numerous charity boards.
SOCIAL INNOVATION AWARD
Sofia Chaala
She is a Transformational speaker, a Certified Neuro Transformation Coach and Founder of Modzi Fitness brand.Sofia works and supports women and teen girls by helping them get back to a place of value, identity, self-worth and purpose by transforming the way they think using coaching strategies that help them re-define themselves with confidence and a positive self-Image.
She is also an advocate for Family Violence awareness and educates people on the impacts Family Violence has on one’s self, family and greater community.