NRI Ashleen Khela,12, Becomes Youngest Female Author to
Wins Prestigious NSW Award
Los Angeles/Mar 07, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh
In a historic achievement, 12-years-old NRI Ashleen Khela, an Australian-born, has been honored with the NSW Women of the Year Award 2025 in the "Ones to Watch (Ages 7-15)" category. This recognition makes her Australia’s youngest published female author to receive such a prestigious state honor.
The New South Wales Government presented the awards during a grand ceremony at the International Convention Centre Sydney in celebration of International Women’s Day. Alongside Ashleen, four other outstanding women were recognized for their contributions in various fields, making a significant impact on their communities.
NRI Ashleen Khela: A Young Author with a Philanthropic Mission
Ashleen, whose roots trace back to Sajawalpur village in Punjab, began writing at the age of eight with a mission to support underprivileged children. She was deeply inspired by the struggles of migrant workers’ children living in roadside slums during a visit to India in 2019.
Her first book, “17 Stories”, was published in 2023 when she was just 11 years old, earning her the title of Australia’s youngest female published author. Her second book, “Journey Through Her Jersey”, released in December 2024, tells the story of a young girl overcoming gender bias to achieve her dreams as a soccer player.
NRI Ashleen’s generosity stands out as she donates all proceeds from her book sales to charities worldwide, including UNICEF, UN Women, Starlight Children's Foundation, and Cancer Council Australia. Additionally, she has personally contributed laptops, warm clothing, books, and nutritious food to underprivileged children in Punjab and students in government schools.
To fund her first book, Ashleen took an innovative approach—raising money by recycling bottles, cans, and gardening from the ages of 8 to 11. Her efforts have been widely recognized, and in January 2025, she also received the Young Citizen of the Year Award from the Hills Shire Council in Sydney.
NSW Government and Governor Recognize Her Impact
Jodie Harrison, NSW Minister for Women, praised Ashleen for highlighting gender biases in her writing and actively working to create change. Following the awards ceremony, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley personally invited Ashleen to Government House Sydney to commend her for her philanthropic efforts.
NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025: Celebrating Inspirational Women
This year’s NSW Women of the Year Awards celebrated five exceptional women who have made lasting contributions to society:
- Dr. Jessica Luyue Teoh (Hornsby) – NSW Young Woman of the Year
A domestic violence advocate and Churchill Fellow, she is one of Australia’s youngest women to receive this honor.
- Sandy Rogers (Tweed) – NSW Community Hero
With over 40 years dedicated to supporting children with disabilities, she has transformed lives through advocacy.
- Dr. Vanessa Pirotta (Canada Bay) – Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence
A respected wildlife scientist, she is recognized for her work in marine conservation and science communication.
- Kirsty Evans (Orange) – NSW Regional Woman of the Year
She played a crucial role in providing pro bono legal support to victims of the 2022 Molong floods.
- Marjorie Anderson (Georges River) – NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
A key leader behind 13YARN, the first national crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Recognizing Young Changemakers: Ones to Watch (Ages 7-15)
In addition to Ashleen, several other young achievers were honored in the "Ones to Watch" category, highlighting their exceptional contributions at a young age.
The 2025 recipients include:
- Aish Khurram (The Hills Shire)
- Aurora Iler (Campbelltown)
- Chloe Croker (Goulburn Mulwaree)
- Emilia Trustum (Richmond Valley)
- Hayley Paterson (Hornsby)
- Jiayi Fang (Ku-ring-gai)
- Kat Mulcair (Yass Valley)
- Lydia Tofaeono (Strathfield)
- Waniya Syed (Camden)
A Tribute to Maddy Suy
This year’s awards also included a special In Memoriam tribute for Maddy Suy, a young girl who bravely fought brain cancer and worked to inspire others through Maddy & Co hubs.
Local Women Recognized for Their Community Service
The Local Woman of the Year 2025 award recipients, nominated by their MPs, were also honored for their exceptional service to their communities. Their names will be included in the Local Women Honour Roll on the official NSW Women of the Year Awards webpage.
A Tradition of Recognizing Women’s Achievements
Since its inception in 2012, the NSW Women of the Year Awards have celebrated trailblazers, advocates, and role models who inspire change. This year’s winners embody resilience, leadership, and dedication, shaping a brighter future for New South Wales.
Leaders Applaud the Award Recipients
NSW Premier Chris Minns commended the winners, stating:
"These extraordinary women and girls are breaking barriers and achieving remarkable success. Their dedication and passion inspire all of us across the state."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison added:
"You are paving the way for future generations through your resilience and achievements. Your recognition today is well deserved."
The NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 highlighted the power of women and young girls in transforming communities, proving that no age is too young to make a difference.
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