NINE of Ballarat's influential women have been inducted to the Zonta Club of Ballarat's Greatest Women Honour Roll.
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This year's inductees highlight the diversity of the city and the passion of the region's women, with the honourees being recognised for their work across a range of sectors and industries from health to the police force.
Dr Joan Hunt
Dr Joan Hunt was posthumously added to the roll for her important community work as a teacher, historian, writer and researcher.
Dr Hunt, who died in September 2018, worked as a teacher at Ross Creek Primary School in the 1980s, where she inspired her students with a love of history.
Additionally, she was the first female president of the Ballarat Historical Society, during which time she was instrumental in establishing the Woady Yalock Historical Society in 1985.
The 80s were a busy time for Dr Hunt, as during this period she was also a driving force in establishing an umbrella body to represent local historical societies: The Central Highlands Historical Association.
Dr Hunt was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1988 to study the operation of historical societies, from which she returned inspired to improve local history. After she retired from work, she enrolled in a PhD course in Australian History at Federation University.
Heather Browning
Heather Browning is honoured for her work and support of the community as a volunteer.
She was nominated by Lynne Redman of RSL Support Services Ballarat, Ararat and Horsham. Ms Browning has worked as a Centrelink Officer, volunteers as a welfare officer at the RSL and is fiercely passionate about animal welfare.
Ms Browning shares the skills she learned while studying at the Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne through her role as a member of the Sing Australia Choir.
Shantini Deutscher
Dr Shantini Deutscher is known as a general practitioner, tireless volunteer, board member and chair.
Dr Deutscher was born in Singapore and studied medicine at Monash University. For her contribution to medicine, she was recently made a Life Member at the College of General Practitioners.
Dr Deutscher is intricately involved with the community. She has served on a number of boards including The Ballarat Foundation, Ballarat Hospice Care and more recently as the Chair of of the Board at Ballarat Grammar.
Sheilagh Kentish
Sheilagh Kentish was nominated for her work as a tutor, lecturer and coordinator of students with special needs, but what she is most well-known for is her work at the Ballarat Community Garden.
Ms Kentish has been the President of the Ballarat Community Garden for the past 10 years, during which time she has overseen its development and ensured it is freely accessible to all.
Nominated by Leo Rennie, who is also involved in the Community Garden, Ms Kentish was described as a visionary who works tirelessly to provide a safe, friendly and caring space for people in the community who require a little extra care.
Read more: A plot of one's own
Paula Nicholson
Cultural leader, heritage advocate, philanthropist and musician Paula Nicholson has made a lasting impact on the Ballarat community through fundraising, event management, co-opting donors and volunteers and developing strategic plans.
Ms Nicholson has been a passionate advocate for the Ballarat arts community.
She has contributed to the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, been a board member of the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Her Majesty's Theatre and Board Chair of the Ballarat Arts Foundation.
Read more: A walk through time puts cancer in the past
Robyn Reeves
Robyn Reeves has long been a campaigner for the disadvantaged through her advocacy work to deliver better healthcare for the whole community.
Ms Reeves was the longest serving Chief Executive Officer of Ballarat Community Health, where she worked for 13 years, before retiring last year.
When she began at Ballarat Community Health in 2005, the organisation had 40 employees across three sites at Sebastopol, Wendouree and Sturt Street. Ms Reeves grew the organisation to six sites with 220 staff and contractors.
Ms Reeves has a passion for people and a belief that prevention is an important factor in community health.
According to nominator Bryan Crebbin, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the organisation, Ms Reeves strengths always focused on helping the needy and disadvantaged in the community.
"[Her strength's helped] to grow Ballarat Community Health at a rapid rate over a very diverse number of areas", he said.
Geraldine Roberts
Geraldine Roberts is an artist, ambassador and volunteer guide at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.
Ms Roberts was described by her nominator Pat Lane as "delightfully creative, relating warmly to people and a passionate and dedicated ambassador for Ballarat".
On top of her volunteering at the Art Gallery, Ms Roberts volunteers at the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
"[Her volunteer work] give[s] her the opportunity to connect visitors and local people so that all can enjoy the art, culture and history of Ballarat," Ms Lane said.
Janet Rundell
Janet Rundell is a quiet contributor to the community through her busy schedule of volunteer work at a plethora of Ballarat organisations.
Ms Rundell has fundraised for and supported Alfredton Scout Group, Nazareth House, Midlands Aged Care and the Cancer Council of Australia over the years.
Additionally, she has supported the Big Sisters Little Sisters program for several decades and each week, Ms Rundell delivers weekly food vouchers to families in the Ballarat West Area.
Janine Walker
Ballarat Leading Senior Constable Janine Walker is known for her proactive policing work and for leading the push to interact and engage the community in safety and awareness.
While coordinating the Neighbourhood Watch in Ballarat, Senior Constable Walker saw the implementation of a statewide change to the program which meant the whole community has access to police and crime prevention strategies.
She has also been instrumental in police projects including Bigger Hearts, Neighbour Day, Community Support Register, Warrant Wednesday and Wish I Locked It.
Read more: Community approach to reducing crime