- Latter-day-Saints-Honoured-in-Sydney
- Latter-day-Saint-Women-Honoured-in-Sydney
- Latter-day-Saint-Women-Honoured-in-Sydney
- Latter-day-Saint-Women-Honoured-in-Sydney
- Latter-day-Saint-Women-Honoured-in-Sydney
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Sydney women, Durga Owen and Melissa Katoa, were both recently honoured as “Women of the Year” in separate ceremonies.
Durga Owen was recognised as the Western Sydney Community Woman of the Year. She is a community lawyer and academic at Western Sydney University.
Owen has over 20 years’ experience advocating for refugees, migrant youth, and women. She started the Community Care Refugee Outreach Program, which provides food, legal support and advocacy for hundreds of families in Western Sydney.
Melissa Katoa was honoured as the Blacktown City Woman of the Year. She has used her expertise to help single mothers and domestic violence victims, particularly in Pacific Islander communities.
She has made significant contributions to domestic violence campaigns and women and youth forums.
Both Owen and Katoa are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and worship in Sydney congregations.