2023 Women of Campbelltown
Dr Margaret Bakker
'It's important for females to take advantage of every opportunity; stay focused and be positive.'
Dr Margaret Bakker is Principal Barrister and Solicitor of Bakker Vagnarelli Lawyers, and for more than 30 years has been Organist and Musical Director of Italian Mass at the Church of the Annunciation, Hectorville.
Giovanna Marmorale
'Nothing comes from the sky, make opportunities for yourself.'
Giovanna and her husband Pino established and have run the La Vera Cheese Company for the past 38 years. La Vera is an award-winning company making 33 cheese varieties located in Newton. Their cheese shop on Hamilton Terrace features on the Campbelltown Food Trail.
Gul Zehra
'Surround yourself with the types of people you aspire to be.'
Gul migrated as a child with her family to Australia from Pakistan, where they were a targeted minority group. She has embraced all of the opportunities this move provided and has been a keen community participant and active volunteer on the Campbelltown Youth Advisory Committee and featured in the multicultural ‘This is my Campbelltown’ project.
Jenny Bates
'The wisdom of crowds is critical to achieving successful community activities.'
Jenny was elected as the inaugural President of the Lochiel Park Community Garden, a role she has now held for more than 10 years. Jenny’s enthusiasm, leadership and commitment has been an inspiration to the membership and to meeting their aims of growing fruit and vegetables in a sustainable way, sharing knowledge with the community and ensuring the garden becomes a focal point in the community.
Joan Stone OAM
'You get more out of volunteering than you give.'
Joan has flourished in her ‘third age career’ working as a volunteer, board member and chair on a range of age advocacy and aged rights groups. She has been an influential voice for the development and direction of the policies and design of retirement villages.
Kathy Lilis
'Build confidence in yourself and your abilities and keep moving forward.'
Kathy has dedicated her life to supporting women and their children find safety and support during and after experiencing domestic and family violence. She has built a 24 year career in the sector and is now the program manager of the Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Services, a program of Women’s Safety Services SA.
Lisa De Vizio
'Believe in yourself, be strong, be resilient.'
Lisa and her husband have been operating Panini Brothers for over 18 years with all of their products made on premises. They have come to be known as a neighbourhood legend, a family-operated business who passionately believe in supporting local businesses by sourcing ingredients locally.
Liz Milner
'Everyone needs a wild place.'
Liz has travelled the world and developed a passion for protecting native flora and fauna. She was awarded the Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award in 2021 for South Australia which acknowledged her as ‘one of the most highly regarded volunteers in the region producing remarkable bushcare work that spans over 1,464 ha of high quality native bushland, all the while engaging encouraging and inspiring the community.
Lyn Robins
'Life is made up of the people you meet along the way.'
A multi-award winning artist and jeweller, Lyn has participated in many exhibitions and 25 solo shows. She is a versatile artist, working with a wide range of subjects and mediums.
Mia Fantasia-Copley
'Activate the best in other's hearts.'
Mia is an active community volunteer and office manager of the Turkindi organisation, the Aboriginal Information Network of SA. Mia has been involved with this group since its inception in 2000 sending out daily emails to connect, inform and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to find meaningful employment, training or information.
Reverend Linda Driver
'Have faith that your paths will lead you to the place you were uniquely made for.'
Linda is the Minister of the Athelstone Uniting Church and has a long history of involvement in community events, managing stage and musical activities and opportunities for youth. As a Minister, her focus is to build connections between the church, its members and the wider community to create a positive impact in the community.