Every year I have the opportunity to recognise a woman from the Maitland electorate who is doing remarkable things for her community.

In 2024, Maitland’s Woman of the Year was Evelyn Stonham.

Evelyn has been dedicated to football in Maitland and the greater Hunter for over 40 years with the Maitland junior Football Club, the Newcastle Jets and Football NNSW.

In 2023 the club had over 1000 players and Evelyn was quoted as saying that of the players aged 5 to 65 “33% of them are female, so we are really happy. However, we won’t stop until we reach 50-50 participation.” The theme of this years International Women’s Day inspiring inclusion, Evelyn certainly does that.

Evelyn currently holds the role of Secretary/Registrar and her dedication to the club knows no bounds. But Evelyn’s life is not all football. She has had a long career as a registered nurse and later in WHS. She is also a talented netballer and softball player.

I know that local women are doing incredible things professionally, for their communities, charities, and for their sporting teams that deserve recognition.

Now is the time to nominate those women!

You can nominate these incredible women by completing the form below by 25 October 2024.

Please note: Nominees must be over 18 years of age.

An event, co-hosted with the Women's Network (Hunter NSW), to recognise finalist and announce the winner will be held in March 2025 for International Women's Day.