Indefatigable volunteer community broadcaster Mrs Josie Musa who had shown her skills as event organiser on many community projects was awarded the local Woman of the Year (Riverstone) during the annual NSW Woman of the Year event at NSW Parliament House.
She was nominated no less by Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly for her significant achievements in Western Sydney, especially in Riverstone, a district where many Filipino Australian constituents reside.
The NSW Women of the Year Awards shine a light on the accomplishments of the many extraordinary women in NSW. Each and every nominee has made an immense contribution to their community and deserves to be publicly applauded,” says NSW Premier Mike Baird.
The 4th annual NSW Women of the Year Awards was hosted by NSW Minister for Women, Pru Goward. This year the award have acknowledged the significant contribution of women in rural and regional communities.
Among those recognised were Evelyn Lester, who was the first female local controller of the State Emergency Services (SES) Baulkham Hills ; Jeanne Pestana who has served as an educator in Australia for more than 40 years and Christine O’Mahony who has helped the most vulnerable and disadvantaged area through St Vincent the Paul Society.
Josie Musa is among a number of women achievers who were recognised in the annual presentation
Josie is convenor of Adhika Inc, a non-profit association for the Filipino-Australian community. Josie’s work has helped raise awareness of the 12,000 nurses of Filipino heritage who work in Australia. Adhika Inc, spearheaded the inaugural FAN (Filipino Australian Nurses) Awards held March 2014. This event recognises the significant achievements and contribution of Filipino Nurses in Australia.
Such achievement did not escape the NSW Multicutural Health Comunication Service (MHCS). Says Ms Jesusa Helaratne of MCS,”The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS) team would like to congratulate you on your well-deserved award. Your dedication, passion and outstanding commitment to the community is commendable. We are very happy for you and your family that your work has been publicly recognised. “
For his part, Ethnic Community Council chair Mr Peter Doukas said, You’ve done great work in your community so you deserved to be mentioned in the ECC NSW newsletter”, says Peter Doukas, ECC-NSW Chair.
Josie organised two big achievement awards night for the Filipino Press Group of Sydney, the first raising awareness of the significance of local Filipino writers and allied profession and the second, an awards night to achievers in Philippine press in Sydney.
Josie Musa founded the community organisation Bicol Inc. (previously known as First Bicol Reunion) and Maharlika Inc., cultural dance group
Josie has served as Director & Secretary of the Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW). She was Leadership Awardee under Filipino Communities Council of Australia or FILCCA.
Josie was also co-founder of the Australian Devotees of Our Lady of Penafrancia (ADOLP), and a long-time advocate of Gawad Kalinga Australia.
She is now active as stalwart for Adhika Inc. and untiring community radio host of Adhika radio program at Wow FM 100.7.