San Foundation managing director Barbara Ward has been named the Ku-ring-gai Local Woman of the Year.
The award is part of the 2017 New South Wales (NSW) Women of the Year Awards, which recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution women across NSW make to their local communities, business and the state.
Ms Ward, who has worked in the not-for-profit sector for more than 16 years, received her award at a special reception on Thursday morning at the Sydney Adventist Hospital (known as “the San” and for which the San Foundation raises funds). Guests at the presentation included NSW Minister for Women Pru Goward, Member of Parliament for the seat of Kuring-gai Alister Henskens and San Foundation chairman of the Board, Dr Leon Clark.
“[Ms Ward’s] advocacy, her determination and her intelligence have all resulted in the San Foundation being able to ensure that this wonderful hospital has state-of-the-art equipment and can provide the world-class care this hospital is known for,” Ms Goward said. “These awards are to recognise the achievements of women, the leadership of women, but especially to inspire young women to follow and to see that it can be done.”
Opening remarks were made by the CEO of Adventist HealthCare Limited, Philip Currie, who stressed the importance of valuing women in the work field.
“The San is an organisation with a great reputation, and with almost 80 per cent of our staff being women, I think that women can take significant credit for the reputation this place has developed over the years,” he said. “Ms Ward is just one of those women who has worked tirelessly to raise funds to support us and the work that we do for our community.”
In her speech, Ms Ward, who last year alone raised more than $10m for the San Foundation, thanked her family and credited the award to her fellow colleagues.
“I cannot begin to describe the immense pleasure I get from the smallest things that make an impact to an individual’s life,” she said. “I truly believe it is an honour to serve.”
As the recipient of one of the local awards, Ms Ward is now in the running to win the NSW Woman of the Year award, to be announced at a ceremony in April.
