SYDNEY: In recognition of her selfless charitable work and contribution to the community, Harinder Kaur of Glenwood, New South Wales has been awarded the prestigious Riverstone Local Woman of the Year for 2019.

The Local Woman of the Year Awards are designed to recognise inspiring female role models and to profile women who have demonstrated excellence in their career and women who make significant contributions to their community.

Harinder Kaur and her husband Maninder Singh co-founded the Harman Foundation in 2013 following the tragic death of their son, Harman Preet Singh. The Harman Foundation is modelled on a mission of delivering open, empathic support, guidance and reassurance to all multicultural community members. Since its inception, the foundation has continued to evolve into a web of cost-free community support services, delivered by a committed group of volunteers, to address a range of individual and group needs, issues and concerns.

Since its inception, Harinder Kaur has been the driving force behind the charity’s activities in the local community, supported by a group of committed volunteers she assembled over the years. In the last two years, Harinder Kaur has been instrumental in raising over $180,000 for various charitable causes, including $91,000 for a Safe Home shelter for women affected by domestic violence. She manages a 1-800 community support phone line that operates around the clock and has attracted around 1,600 calls in the last three years.

Harinder Kaur has served on the local Council Youth Advisory Committee and was twice nominated as a finalist in the local Council Woman of the Year Awards. Additionally, she is a founding member of the Greater Western Sydney Multicultural Women’s network launched earlier this year.

On Thursday, 7 March 2019, Harinder Kaur and other local Woman of the Year award winners from across the state were invited to join the Minister for Women, Tanya Davies at the 2019 NSW Women of the Year award ceremony held at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.

Member for Riverstone, Kevin Connolly MP who nominated Harinder Kaur for the accolade, stated:

“I congratulate Harinder on her outstanding contribution and thank her for her exceptional example as an energetic and motivated volunteer in our community,” 

For further information on the Harman Foundation, please visit: http://www.harmanfoundation.org.au