General news
28 February, 2025
Lamb nominated for NSW Community Hero Award
Kelly Lamb: Former local hero leaving a legacy of change and empowerment for women
FORMER West Wyalong local Kelly Lamb is once again making waves as she celebrates another milestone achievement - being named a finalist in the 2025 NSW Community Hero Awards.
This recognition highlights her ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering women, building on the legacy she began when she was honoured as a winner in a previous year. Now, as a finalist, Kelly’s impact continues to shine as she advocates for systemic change, gender equality, and a safer future for women across New South Wales.
Kelly, who is the CEO of Liberty Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Services in Port Macquarie, has dedicated her career to creating safer communities for women and children. For years, she has led Liberty with passion, advocating for victims of domestic violence and working to ensure they are provided with the support, dignity, and respect they deserve. Her leadership has helped expand crisis accommodation, increase access to support services, and build a network of vital resources for victim-survivors.
The recognition of Kelly’s work extends beyond the local level. Under her leadership, Liberty has won multiple accolades at both local and regional levels, as well as state-level recognition. She has also been a two-time winner of Employer of Choice awards and was named the recipient of the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion award. Furthermore, she is also a three-time winner of Outstanding Community Organisation (local and regional) and finalist at the state level.
In addition to her role at Liberty, Kelly is a passionate advocate for gender equality, reconciliation, and community development. As a proud Gamilaraay woman, she actively promotes cultural understanding and works tirelessly to raise awareness of issues affecting Aboriginal women. Her leadership extends to her role as Deputy Chair and Director of DVNSW, the peak body for domestic and family violence in NSW.
Kelly’s commitment to supporting women also includes her active role in the Hastings Businesswomen’s Network. As past President and co-founder of the annual International Women’s Day event, she has provided a platform for women to come together, celebrate their achievements, and support one another. She also co-designed a women’s mentoring program to help women build confidence, create networks, and develop the skills needed to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
The 2025 International Women’s Day celebration, hosted by HBWN and the Member for Port Macquarie, Hon. Leslie Williams MP, will be an opportunity for the community to come together to honour women’s empowerment. Kelly Lamb will be the keynote speaker at the event on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Cassegrain Wines. This year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," reflects Kelly’s lifelong dedication to accelerating change for women. As she addresses the gathering, no doubt she will inspire the next wave of action, encouraging everyone to continue working toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all women.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Liberty Store & Wellbeing Hub (also known as Dove Cottage), which Kelly Lamb helped create. The hub is a vital social enterprise dedicated to supporting women who have experienced domestic and family violence, providing them with the tools and resources needed to regain independence, heal, and re-enter the workforce with confidence. Through Liberty, Kelly has shown how a combination of compassion, innovation, and advocacy can make a tangible difference in the lives of women.
For Kelly, every step of her career has been guided by her deep commitment to helping women overcome the challenges they face. From her roots in West Wyalong to her leadership on a state and national scale, Kelly Lamb’s work continues to inspire and drive positive change in communities across the region.
As a finalist for the NSW Women of the Year award in the Community Hero category, Kelly’s work exemplifies the very essence of what it means to be a community hero—using every opportunity to empower others and create lasting, meaningful change.
Kelly Lamb’s story is just one of many that will be celebrated as we come together to build a better, more equitable future for women everywhere.
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