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The Marie Claire Women of The Year Awards ended with a bang on November 21, with award winner and Tina Turner musical star, Ruva Ngwenya, bringing the house down with a powerhouse performance ‘River Deep, Mountain High’. The dancefloor hit was the perfect way to cap-off an evening of loving celebration, empowerment, high emotions, and uproarious applause from 160 guests at Sydney’s Museum Of Contemporary Art.
Marie Claire’s Women Of The Year Awards, presented by Kerastase, recognise and celebrate the tireless work, talent, and passion of those who have inspired, advocated and blazed trails for Australian women throughout the year.
Before we get into the night’s events, we’d be remiss if we didn’t shout-out our fabulous sponsors, for making everything possible and helping to fill the space with joy. Big shout outs to: Kerastase, Swarovski, Glenlivet, Mumm, Dr Lewinns, Mecca MPower, Volvo Car Australia and Napoleon Perdis.
Without further ado, here are the best moments from this year’s awards ceremony.
Black Carpet Arrivals
Guests strut the black carpet in their finest formal attire, showcasing a range of international and local designers.
Moana Hope and Maria Thattil made their red carpet debut as a couple, admiring each other as they posed for photographers.
Model Liv Parsons brought more than her fair share of glamour to the event, donning a sheer, floor-length Swarovski gown, featuring over 20,000 crystals.
See all the amazing black carpet pics here.
The Awards
Marie Claire presented 11 award categories, with the winners being:
- Icon Of The Year: Sam Kerr
- Powerhouse Of The Year: Professor Megan Davis
- Entertainer Of The Year: Kylie Minogue
- Champion Of The Year: The Matildas
- Changemaker Of The Year: Jess Hill
- The Voices Of Now: Maria Thattil & Chanel Contos
- Designer Of The Year: Rebecca Vallance
- Creatives Of The Year: Made Up Stories (Bruna Papandrea and Jodi Matterson), & Amy Manford
- Eco Warrior Of The Year: Lottie Dalziel
- Rising Star Of The Year: Ruva Ngwenya
- Advocate of The Year: Hannah Diviney
Find out more about our phenomenal award winners here.
The Speeches
Each of our award winners offered a moving address to the room upon accepting their awards, with emotions running high amid the excitement.
Our Changemaker Of The Year, Jess Hill, a journalist whose work in the realm of domestic violence awareness and education has contributed to changing perceptions and even laws in response to the rampant issue, became tearful while accepting her award on behalf of the “2.2 million people and the 1 million children who experienced this in their lifetimes”.
Hill has continued her work in recent years while also triumphing over brain cancer.
Professor Meghan Davis followed her inspiring Marie Claire Powertalks address with a reflection on the year’s Voice referendum and its disappointing result.
“While we’re devastated by the result of the referendum, and 9 million Aussies voted ‘no’ — 6 million Aussies voted yes,” Professor Davis reflected.
“As we face, right now, the continuation of the status quo, the only solace that we find is in the 6 million friends, the 6 million friends we never knew we had.”
“We six million are bonded together now. There are power in out voices. We are a force to be reckoned with,” she concluded.
The Performances
Guests at the Women Of The Year Awards dinner were treated to three performances by former winner, Amy Shark, and 2023 nominees, Ruva Ngwenya and Amy Manford.
Amy Shark covered Kylie Minogue’s ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’, while Amy treated us to a stirring rendition of ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story.
Finally, Ruva’s high-powered performance of ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ finished off the night. Watch above.
While that’s a wrap for this year, we can’t wait to see how Australian women continue to agitate, impress and rise to the top over the years to come.
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