Federal Member for Werriwa Chris Hayes congratulated Sister Kerry MacDermott on being named the joint winner of the University of Western Sydney’s 2010 Women of the West Awards held in Parramatta today.

Mr Hayes said that it had been a great honour to nominate Sister Kerry – a Minto resident for 26 years – and her award was a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication she has shown to the local community for nearly three decades.

“What strikes me most about Sister Kerry is her ceaseless devotion to the principles of social justice and equality, particularly in relation to the local Aboriginal community in South West Sydney,” Mr Hayes said.

“Over the years Sister Kerry has become a well-respected and much-loved figure within the Campbelltown community. Her compassion and empathy knows no bounds, nor does her capacity to advocate for those who feel they have no voice. Sister Kerry is a woman who not only listens – she offers a helping hand and kind words of encouragement in order to empower those around her.”

Sister Kerry is a member of the religious community of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, better known as the ‘Brown Sisters’, and currently oversees the Diocese of Wollongong’s Catholic Aboriginal Ministry.

She has volunteered her time and resources within a number of organisations and community groups including Minto Residents Action Group; Muru Nanga Mai Women’s Group; Aboriginal Working Group in Minto; as well as the Diocese of Wollongong’s Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.

“Most notably, Sister Kerry has proven herself to be an active and compelling campaigner for Reconciliation between Australia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. She is a founding member and convenor of the Winga Myamly Reconciliation Group,” Mr Hayes said.