Meet The Winners Of The ASAC Stellar South Asian Women Awards

It was a night of true celebration in Melbourne on Wednesday, November 29 as brown women from across the country united for the 2023 Australia’s Stellar South Asian Women Awards.

Actors Menik Gooneratne and Yasmin Kassim MC'd the event hosted by the Australian South Asian Centre at Queen Victoria Women's Centre, with the winners unveiled across nine categories.

The theme of the 2023 awards was 'It Takes A Village' – a nod to the power of community and collaboration.

“This year's awards theme #ItTakesAVillage identifies not only the stellar women but everyone who has helped them along the way,” said the awards night’s organiser, Australian South Asian Centre. “It takes a village to make us who we are and our success lifts everyone along with us!”

The 2023 awards featured nine categories: Content Creator, Community & Advocacy, Business & Entrepreneurship, Sports & Fitness, Arts & Culture, STEM, Journalism & Literature, International, and Global Impact. There was also a special mention for late entrepreneur and mental health advocate, Pyrawy Sivarajah.

Categories were judged by three incredibly inspiring South Asian women. They were Amrit Gill, Creative Program Lead at City of Melbourne, Dr Amandeep Hansra, a practising GP and an expert in digital health and innovation, and Chaman Sidhu, a non-executive director, advisor and legal and governance professional. ASAC also made a special thank you on the night to the international finalists including Sagina Walyat who flew in from India specifically for the awards.

Regardless of the results, all of the women nominated are leaders, creatives and founders who are pushing boundaries, striving for excellence, and leaving a lasting impact that elevates the community around them.

“These women are paving the way for the next generation of South Asian community leaders. What and who we celebrate and recognise as a community is a powerful message of what matters most,” said the Australian South Asian Centre.

“We aim to amplify the voices of change makers whilst also inspiring others to take action on their ideas of making the world around them a better place. The awards exist to recognise emerging and established South Asian creatives, activists, founders and leaders whose voices and work are a force of good.”