THIS year’s 100 Women of Influence are in good company with Orange’s Ellie Brown and Jan Savage named in the prestigious list.
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The NSW Business Chamber director and Cancer Care Western NSW fundraiser were two of 11 finalists in the local/regional category.
An award winner last year, Northparkes Mines managing director Stefanie Loader nominated Mrs Brown for the 2014 list and took her under her wing during the application stage.
Mrs Brown said the two had not known each other prior to the process and it had been lovely to receive endorsement from someone of Ms Loader’s calibre.
“I was absolutely honoured that she thought of me in that regard because you don’t do the work you do to get an award, you do it because you’re passionate about it,” she said.
The application process involved detailing three examples of how the women encouraged people around her.
Mrs Brown said her work with the NSW and Central West Orana business chambers was about giving small business a voice.
“Small business is the backbone of our economy and we need to make sure the needs and concerns of small business are heard. By finding out what their struggles are, we can champion that cause through the chamber,” she said.
Mrs Brown’s work as chair of Racing Orange has involved revitalising Towac Park and building on its viability as a racetrack, while her work at TAFE Western has brought her into contact with up and coming tradespeople through the Apprentice to Business Owner program.
“We’ve been taking apprentices through an 18-week course to give them the skills to become business owners - we’ve put over 150 apprentices through already,” she said.
Mrs Brown said being a woman of influence was about showing others they could achieve their goals.
“My two daughters are my inspiration to show people that you can do what you want and what you are passionate about,” she said.
Orange Business Chamber president Tony Healey said Mrs Brown had been fantastic for the chamber and was not surprised by her inclusion on the list.
“She fights for what she thinks is right and she’s a very good organiser,” he said.
Acting mayor Chris Gryllis described her as a quiet achiever.
“She has certainly been a very active and energetic person in the community and I wish her good luck,” he said.
Winners will be chosen from each of the 10 categories at Sydney Town Hall on October 22, as well as an overall winner.