After local heroes Lutfiye Kavci and Vicki Scott were honoured for turning personal hardship into community triumph last year, the search is on for the next round of inspirational women.

Minister for Women Mary-Anne Thomas opened nominations for the 2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women on Tuesday, January 27, calling on people to nominate incredible women who are changing lives every day.

Last year’s 24 Honour Roll inductees included Shepparton’s Lutfiye Kavci, a family violence advocate and survivor, and Vicki Scott, a community leader and health ambassador.

Lutfiye survived an attempted murder in Shepparton in 2021, and has since dedicated herself to advocacy against family violence and homelessness.

Vicki channelled her energy into helping others while being treated for stage four bowel cancer in 2022, and became the inaugural Goulburn Valley Health Foundation ambassador in 2023.

There are five nomination categories, including history heroine, local champion, change agent, emerging leader and trailblazer, celebrating achievements across fields such as social justice, health, science, research, arts, environment, law, media and education.

Victoria’s first female premier, the late Joan Kirner, created the honour roll in 2001 to acknowledge women for their achievements and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.

Since then, more than 770 women have been inducted.

Nominations close on Friday, March 20. Visit vic.gov.au/honour-roll-women to find more nomination information.

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Wednesday, 21st April 2027

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