Best of the WEST awards recognise outstanding women

A biochemist, an information technology guru and a nine-year-old inventor were among those recognised and celebrated during the inaugural Best of the WEST Awards in 2009.

Following on from last year’s success, organisers are actively seeking sponsorship of the 2010 Awards, as well as nominations of the region’s most outstanding women in non-traditional fields.

The Awards are open to women and girls in Engineering, Science (including Maths) and Technology (SET) located in regional, rural and remote areas of Queensland, as well as USQ female staff and students.

Within USQ, the Go WEST (Go Women in Engineering, Science and Technology) project team coordinates the Awards to recognise and celebrate the achievement of outstanding women and girls who are leading in the fields of engineering, science, mathematics and technology, where females are traditionally under-represented.

Go WEST member, Maggie Fryer, said these awards gave women in these fields public recognition for the work they are doing, and also showed women and girls there are many fulfilling career choices in these areas.

'There was a great response to these awards from the community last year and we are looking forward to another terrific event in 2010,' Ms Fryer said.

The award categories for 2010 are:

• Go WEST Primary School Award
• Go WEST Secondary School Award
• Go WEST Vocational Education and Training (VET) Award
• Go WEST University Student Award - Engineering
• Go WEST University Student Award - Science and Technology
• Go WEST Professional/Business Award - Engineering
• Go WEST Professional/Business Award - Science and Technology
• Go WEST Access & Equity Award
• Go WEST Community Project Award
• Go WEST Research Award

Nominations close on Friday August 27. This year’s award ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 14 at USQ's Allison Dickson Theatre.

For more information on the awards, please visit: www.usq.edu.au/gowest