The organiser of the White Ribbon Day Walks in Sutherland Shire has been named Miranda Local Woman of the Year.
Detective Sergeant Kelly Donaghy, a team leader of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Sutherland Shire Police Area Command, was presented with her award at a ceremony at Parliament House on International Women’s Day.
Miranda MP Eleni Petinos, who norminated Ms Donaghy, said, “Kelly is an extraordinary member of our local police force who has a passion for community engagement”.
“She initiated the first ever Sutherland Shire White Ribbon Walk in 2016 and again coordinated it in 2017, in which a staggering 5000 community members were involved.
“Through her extensive experience as the Domestic and Family Violence Team Leader, Kelly has dedicated herself to assisting children affected by significant child sexual and physical abuse.”
The shire’s White Ribbon Day Walk originated at Woolooware High School before expanding in 2016 to incorporate other schools and the community.
In 2013 Ms Donaghy was awarded the State Crime Command Police Officer of the Year Award for her role in the Children Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
As well being a full time police detective, she is a mentor in the Woolooware High School ‘Flourish’ program and was a participant in the NSW Police Commissioner’s Leading Ladies Program.
Ms Petinos said Ms Donaghy continued to be an inspiration for young women who wished to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Ms Donaghy told the Leader in 2015 she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she joined NSW Police in 2000, and had seen many changes, none more than in the role of women.
"When I started at Miranda there were no females of the rank of sergeant or above and now we have six female sergeants,” she said.
Ms Donaghy is a passionate advocate of supporting and protecting women and children, having spent most of her professional life investigating child sexual assault, serious physical abuse and neglect.
After joining State Crime Command child abuse squad in 2005 she became a detective.
She received a police officer of the year award for uncovering a child sex offender online network and went to Ireland to arrange the first extradition of a child sex offender from there to Australia.
Minister for Women Tanya Davies said the NSW Women of the Year Local Awards celebrated the contributions and successes of women who were often quiet achievers.
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