Best of the WEST Awards to recognise outstanding women

Go WEST members are looking forward to the event

Some of the regions most outstanding women will be formally recognised for their achievements in non-traditional fields at the inaugural Go Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (Go WEST) Best of the WEST Awards at USQ this Thursday (October 22 2009).

The Awards were open to women and girls undertaking a career or study in Engineering, Science and Technology (SET) and living in regional, rural and remote areas of Queensland with nominations coming from across the region.

Go WEST provides support for female USQ students and professionals in the discipline areas of SET where females are traditionally under-represented.

'These Awards are all about giving women in these fields public recognition for the work that they are doing,' Go WEST Project Team Leader Dr Jacquie McDonald said.

'Through this initiative we want to show women and girls that there are career choices in these areas and profile those who are succeeding in these fields.'

A range of different awards will be presented on the day with organisers confident that the event will provide public recognition of successful local and regional projects.

'We already have 70 acceptances for the Awards and this includes a number of special guests including USQ Chancellor Bobbie Brazil and well known local women Dellys Kelly, Mary Wagner and Councillor Carol Taylor,' Dr McDonald said.

'All of these women are strong female role models and have contributed to the community and also USQ.

'Nine awards have been created from Innovation in Engineering, Innovation in Technology and Innovation in Science and Mathematics with all of the winners demonstrating leadership and creative contributions in their award categories.'

The inaugural Best of the WEST Awards will be held at the University in Q501 from 3:30pm with the media welcome to attend.

'There has been a great, enthusiastic response from the community and everyone from the Go WEST project is looking forward to what should be a terrific event.'

For more information on the Awards visit this website or phone 07 4631 2407

Contact Details:
Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or 0400 025 429