2025 Women of Campbelltown
Alicia Hammond
'Always be true to yourself and surround yourself with supportive and positive people.'
Alicia Hammond was born in 2005 and has always lived in the City of Campbelltown area. From an early age, she was passionate about performing, particularly singing. In year 7, she received a music and voice scholarship to attend St Ignatius College.
Charmaine Suares-Howard
'Lean into the uncomfortable spaces, they will stretch you.'
Charmaine is the Director of Paradise Kindergarten and a longstanding early childhood educator in Campbelltown. With Anglo-Indian heritage and a childhood shaped by travel, Charmaine’s diverse experiences fuel her outgoing nature and passion for community.
Claudia Callisto
'Take chances and live life to the fullest.'
Everyone has a story, but Claudia has turned her passion for cultural storytelling into an art form. Claudia wrote her first book, The Good Italian Girl, drawing on her experience as an Australian-born daughter of immigrant parents.
Diana Badalyan
'Push your limits, put in the work and enjoy every point of the process.'
Diana lives in Hectorville with her family, born in Australia to Russian and Armenian parents. At 16 years old she is currently ranked 364 in the world in junior women’s tennis.
Helen Nichols
'Be prepared to go against the flow if that’s what you really believe.'
Helen Nichols is a former Campbelltown Council Elected Member and a passionate advocate for arts, culture, and social justice. With a background in social work and law, she has held diverse roles as a solicitor, barrister, and public service leader.
Judy Parker
'Choose not to accept your destiny, work hard; change may be an opportunity, not a threat.'
Judy has lived in the City of Campbelltown since 2008 and is a co-founding member of Ripples Community Arts at Lochiel Park. As a child, Judy loved to sew and create. After receiving a scholarship to study Junior Primary teaching, she worked in disadvantaged schools as an advisor/support teacher. She was also a university tutor championing, advocating and developing specialised literacy programs.
Lisa Innis
'Everything works out in the end, and if it hasn’t… it’s not the end.'
As a child Lisa always loved to sing and dance. At 3 years old she moved to the City of Campbelltown where she attended Rostrevor Kindy, Thorndon Park Primary School and later, Morialta High School. In 1995, Lisa established the Innis Performing Arts Academy, now known as Innis Dance Studios.
Sue-Anne Badawee
'There will be highs and lows in life, but you will find the strength to keep moving forward.'
For Sue-Anne, a local Hectorville resident and one of the owners of the Rezz Hotel, running a business and particularly a hotel is part of her soul. From a child she watched her parents start and run successful businesses, including hotels around Adelaide.
The Honourable Carmel Zollo
'Regardless of your age, you can take a path to achieve your ambitions.'
Carmel was the first Italian-born woman elected to the South Australian Legislative Council and served as a Cabinet Minister from 2005-2009. Born in Italy, she migrated to Australia as a child, growing up in Payneham and later settling in Campbelltown, where she and her husband Lou have lived for over 50 years.
Vas Dolman
'Don’t get caught up in things that don’t matter.'
Vas Dolman, coordinator of Campbelltown Repair Café, is a dedicated volunteer in Campbelltown’s community programs. Vas developed a passion for special education from an early age and went on to earn degrees in special education and sensory loss, advancing to roles as a regional coordinator and assistant principal supporting students with additional needs to pursue their goals.