Pilbara pair win Telstra Business Women’s honours

Pilbara businesswomen Kylah Morrison and Brie Healy claimed awards at the prestigious Telstra Business Women's Awards in Perth on Thursday.

Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Ms Morrison was awarded the for purpose and social enterprise award for her work in representing and advocating for local businesses, while Tom Price’s From Dust Creative Arts founding director Ms Healy took home the emerging leader award for her work to grow arts education in the Pilbara.

Ms Morrison said it was an honour to be recognised for her work to develop business opportunities in the region, which has also included chairing the Pilbara Universities Centre committee and running masterclasses for women in business.

“I’m trying to make a difference in the region because we want the Pilbara to be a great place for people to live work and play, so they can spend more time with their families and enjoying the work they do than being stuck in traffic in a metro city,” she said.

“It’s a choice for people to live a better lifestyle.”

“I want to prove the Pilbara has as much opportunity as anywhere else around the country.”

Ms Healy, who is also the regional arts hub project officer for Nintirri Inc, said she was humbled to win the emerging leader award.

“I’m just looking for ways that will make it easier for others to do things like this in the region in future, so there are more amazing programs that pop up for these kids,” she said.

“I think I can be a leader in potentially changing those systems that make it extremely difficult to do that, or even just shining a light on them, because until now it hasn’t perhaps been realised that it’s an issue.”

“We can do so much more for residents in this region if we just make some changes.”

LJ Hooker Karratha sales executive and Karratha Young Professionals president Jessica Ireland was also a finalist in the awards.

The Telstra Business Women’s Awards, now in their 24th year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australian women in business.

Telstra regional Australia executive Janet Barnes said all the WA winners were inspiring examples of leaders who were challenging the status quo both within and beyond their industries.

All State and Territory winners will be invited to Sydney for judging of the national awards on May 15.

National winners will be announced at a gala dinner on on May 16.