WINNER - SI Griffith - Enable Empower Turning Theory into Action 
Report ID: 20251212044442

SI Griffith for their Enable Empower Workshop 2025,  a project that focused on building capacity and resilence. 

SI Griffith held two workshops titled "Enable, Empower" which were delivered to 60 girls from across four high schools. The aim was to build capacity and resilience, enhance emotional intelligence, foster leadership and teamwork and promote collaboration and inclusion by planning and actioning self led school projects. Enable Empower set out to create a safe, supportive space where girls could explore their strengths, build emotional intelligence, and develop the confidence to design and lead their own wellbeing projects.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Beenleigh & SI Logan for their joint project - 2025 Federation Public Speaking Competition 
Report ID: 20251220010226  & 20151217123748

SI Beenleigh & SI Logan - Empowered Voices: Sustainable Choices, Federation Public Speaking Competition, focused on giving a voice to high school students.  

This joint project focused on a world where female voices have often been sidelined or underestimated. Teaching girls the art of effective communication helps them challenge stereotypes, advocate for themselves and others, and inspire change.  SI Beenleigh and SI Logan were able to showcase 9 students in the final with 2 girls going through to the Federation final, and one girl coming second in her category at the Federation level.  

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Damansara - Annual Spelling Bee Competition 
Report ID: 20251203110646

SI Damansara - Annual Spelling Bee Competition is held to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for young school children.   

SI Damansara have structured this annual compentition to strengthen English literacy among underserved children from their sponsored homes and learning centres. Designed as a fun yet purposeful learning experience, the programme builds foundational spelling and reading skills while nurturing confidence and a love of language. Through structured pre‑competition coaching tailored to varying reading levels, children are progressively introduced to new vocabulary in a supportive environment. In 2025, 131 children from five homes participated in the preliminaries and 67 children went on to compete in the finals, demonstrating remarkable enthusiasm and growth. Even those who initially struggled emerged more confident, motivated, and willing to engage, showcasing the programme’s ability to unlock potential through encouragement and inclusive
learning.

WINNER: SI Adelaide - Home Essentials for Ninko, Aboriginal Women’s Safety Services.

ID 20251213093443

SI Adelaide support the Women's Safety Services South Australia (WSSSA) home essentials campaign for women escaping domestic violence. The partnership with the management team at WSSSA has been established over many years, with requests from WSSSA to continue the support for the women involved in the Ninko Kurtangga Patpangga - Southern Regional Aboriginal Domestic Violence and Family Violence Service which supports Aboriginal women and children escaping domestic violence.

The project provided essential household items to Aboriginal women and children rebuilding their lives. This initiative meets an urgent need with dignity, care, and real impact. This practical, compassionate project demonstrates a deep understanding of community need and delivers meaningful, direct support to some of the most vulnerable women and families.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Bangsar - 16 Days of Activism – Preventing Online Violence & Creating Safer Online Spaces
Report ID: 20251222115322

SI Bangsar's project focused on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) Target 5.1.  The project  addressed online violence against women and girls. The clubs  project, aligned with the 16 Days of Activism, raised awareness of online safety and promoted respectful behaviour through social media.  It empowered individuals and encouraged communities to create safer, more inclusive online spaces.

The rapid growth of digital platforms and social media has made the internet a vital space for
communication, learning, and participation. However, it has also led to increasing incidents of online
violence against women and girls, including harassment, cyberbullying, intimidation, and other forms of digital abuse. Such behaviour threatens personal safety, silences voices, and limits women’s ability to fully participate online. In support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025, this project promoted respect, safety, and responsible online behaviour. Through awareness and practical digital safety knowledge, the initiative empowered individuals and mobilized communities to create a safer, more respectful, and inclusive online environments for women and girls.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Brisbane- Upstream Advocacy Governance Innovation for Systemic Impact
Report ID: 20250605081656; 20250605075334; 20251008080311; 20251101090905; 20251229081719; and, 20250804104734

Before 2024, SI Brisbane’s legislative advocacy was largely reactive and reliant on key-person expertise.

In 2025, the club implemented a structural transformation by adopting a formal Upstream Advocacy Governance Framework, shifting engagement from ad hoc participation to coordinated, high-authority legislative contribution. The framework institutionalised defined functional roles and a Triple-Lens Analytical Model aligned with UN SDGs and SI objectives and priorities.

As a result, SI Brisbane delivered six concurrent State and Federal submissions with 100% deadline compliance. This governance innovation demonstrates a replicable, low-cost blueprint that enables volunteer-led organisations to contribute disciplined, evidence-informed analysis to systemic reform that advances outcomes for women and girls.

WINNER - SI Joondalup - Remote Op-Shop Project

Report ID: 20250908015938

The remote Op-Shop Project supports the development of Op-Shops in remote aboriginal settlements. It aims to supply cheap clothing for the community but also to develop the basic skills of pricing, displaying and profit taking. The primary objective was to increase entrepreneurial capabilities, increase self-employment, enable empowered participation, encourage cultural identity and contribute to the growth of indigenous economy. 

A small committee was formed to administer the project, meeting every month. Members and various organisations, friends and women’s groups were asked for donations of pre-loved clothing. The supply of clothing came flooding in and their remote op-shop had begun.

They sent a total of 45.5 kg through Aus Post satchels across WA and into the desert country east of Kalgoorlie. The project was so successful they agreed they would continue into 2026.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Brisbane - Advancing Women’s Economic Infrastructure
Report ID: 20251101090905

Soroptimist International Brisbane provided a comprehensive advocacy submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system, which has now been acknowledged, accepted, and published by the Senate Committee.

Their submission called for urgent, gender-responsive reform to ensure that every child in Australia has access to safe, high-quality, and equitable early learning, and that every educator  (most of whom are women) is valued, supported, and protected. Details of the inquiry and our full submission are available on the official Senate Inquiry website: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/ECECqualitysafety

They also submitted supplementary information requested by the Senate Committee after the official deadline. The Committee expressed appreciation for the innovative ideas they contributed. The plan was  released in March 2026.

WINNER - SI Adelaide -Mary Magdalene Annual Dinner
Report ID: 20250621102308

The Mary Magdalene Centre, provides and prepares a 3 course meal for their hungry and lonely neighbours.  The cooking is undertaken by voluntary community groups who undertake fundraising for the costs (approx $700-900) to feed 100 dinner guests.  SI Adelaide annually donates their time and costs to prepare a 3 course meal for the centre taking into consideration foods that are nutrious and the dietary requirements of particpants.   The centre now also provides takeaway meals as well as the dinning option.  The centre is a vital resource for those in need and promotes kindness and community spirit. SI Adelaide has undertaken this act of kindness for almost 10 years. 

WINNER - Aotearoa New Zealand  - Natioanl Project Heal the Teal, Reduce the impact of Ovarian Cancer on New Zealand Women 
Report ID: 20251207115412

The project was undertaken by almost all (18/19) New Zealand clubs. The clubs joined in unison to support and promote their National Project on Ovarian Cancer “Heal the Teal: Reduce the Impact of Ovarian cancer on NZ Women”.

Many clubs conducted awareness campaigns and advocated for early detection of ovarian cancer by putting up posters in public toilets (Dunny Dash), movie theatres, public libraries and other venues, organising speakers to educate and inform the public about early signs and symptoms, and distributing informative flyers. Other clubs also conducted fund-raising activities with funds donated mainly to the K9 MD unit and the Ovarian Cancer Foundation. They also sold teal-coloured tea towels displaying the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer to raise funds and some participated in “Frocktober Month” .

WINNER: SI North Shore -  Sewn Up: Sustainable Sewing for Skills, Confidence & Textile Waste Reduction 
ID 20250803084811

Sewn Up is a community-based sustainable sewing initiative designed to equip women with practical
skills in garment repair, alteration, and upcycling while addressing the growing issue of textile waste.
Delivered over three months across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, the programme
combines hands-on learning with education on fast fashion and sustainability. Participants gain
confidence, develop transferable skills, and adopt more mindful consumption habits. Strong community demand has led to programme expansion across multiple library venues. Supported by volunteers and community partnerships, Sewn Up provides a low-cost, replicable model that delivers meaningful environmental and social impact.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Hobart - Promoting A Clean, Healthy, Sustainable Tasmania    
ID 20251207040348

Through education, personal behaviour change, and collaboration with local enterprises and community groups, members committed to practical actions such as recycling,  composting, re use and responsible consumption.  They encouraged  community participation in recycling initiatives, strengthened partnerships with local enterprises, and demonstrable reductions in waste sent to landfill.  Importantly  they liaised with key stakeholders through email, phone calls, meetings to determine efficient action, appropriate responses and the integrity of the project. The project successfully increased sustainable practices among members, strengthened community partnerships, and significantly diverted waste from landfill. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Bayside- Soropti-Swap
ID 20251228050656

Soropti-Swap - an event to swap both materials and ideas to reduce the number of garments and
amount of textiles going to landfill. This event was designed to be  one of of both education and hands on participation; awareness and action.  Demonstrations on how to remake old into new.  Free alteration service and training.  Purchase craft material.  

WINNER : SI Iskandar Puteri - Promoting Peace through inclusion for the SIIP Community Celebrations Programme.
Report ID: 20251231024057

This project worked with trafficked women held in a shelter where initially there were over 150 women from countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia being held under protection pending trial and repatriation.

The women were living in very confined conditions, and the stress, combined with differences in language, culture and customs, often led to tension, and at times, the conflict would even led to physical fights and injury. The problem was how to bring calm into such a space?

It started off simply by introducing Zumba sessions to release stress, improve well-being and create a shared, positive experience. It was then taken a step further to bring festive celebrations into the shelter. Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas, as well as International Women’s Day.

The women didn’t just attend, they participated.  They performed, they shared their cultures, and sometimes even prepared traditional food.

The Iskandar Puteri club also brought small gift bags with basic necessities comprising simple items, but ones that restored a sense of dignity and care.

What was seen was powerful. Barriers began to soften. Women who once clashed… began to connect. There was more laughter, more interaction and noticeably less conflict. Through shared experiences, they began to see each other not as different but as fellow human beings.

And that is where peace begins. And yet, in those shared moments, resilience, strength, and hope was witnessed.

This project showed  that peace is not only about resolving conflict, it is about creating spaces where dignity, understanding, and connection can grow.