Recognition for Hurriyet

The Cairns Post celebrated International Womens Day by highlighting who they believed to be the regions 30 most influential women in FNQ. Development in the Tropics team member Professor Hurriyet Babacan was one of those selected.

Hurriyet has had a distinguished career of the last 25 years with a proven track record of achievement in senior leadership and strategic management roles. Professor Babacan has been recognised for her work through a number of awards including the Order of Australia 2014 (AM) for outstanding contribution, as academic and author, and for furthering multicultural community, education, and social policy development; Bi-Centenary Medal awarded by the Prime Minister, 2002 and the Multicultural Services Award by the Premier of Queensland. Hurriyet was the Queensland State Finalist in the Telstra Businesswomen’s Award in the for Community and Public Service category in 2003. Professor Babacan’s name has been listed in the Australian Women’s Archives as recognition of women leaders who have contributed to Australia.

Other influential women in the FNQ listed by the Cairns post include Yidinji elder Professor Heneritta Marrie, Australian Soccer star Mary Fowler, Advance Cairns CEO Jacinta Reddan, ABC Far North breakfast presenter Charlie McKillop, Queensland Police Detective Superintendent Sonia Smith, CQU associate vice president Jodie Duignan-George and Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin.