As we celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024, the theme this year is ‘Inspire 
Inclusion’. It was exciting to announce the recipients of the Penrith Local Woman of the Year and the 
Local Young Woman of the Year.

There were 15 nominations received for local Penrith women this year, it was a hard task to award just 
two local women from all the talent that we have here in Penrith.

 
The recipient of the Penrith Local Woman of the Year 2024 is Julia Parashko. Julia is a local teacher 
at Penrith Selective Highschool and works as a singing tutor after hours. Julia volunteers her amazing 
skills at various charity events by acting as event MC and singer at no cost. She is also involved with
the committee for ‘Relay for Life’, as well as volunteering for the various ‘Pink Up Penrith’ events, the 
Emu Plains Christmas carols, and Christmas Tree Lighting. Julia also undertakes fundraising for the 
Cancer Council, and has offered years of service to the RSL, singing the national anthem.

Our Penrith Local Young Woman of the Year 2024 is Lucinda Harvey. Lucinda founded the
organisation “Saving True Blues” at the age of 19 after the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide. 
Saving True Blues is a state-wide initiative, that through programs such as the ‘4WD & CAMP 4 
MENTAL HEALTH’, provides people a platform to have those important and difficult conversations 
about mental health. Saving True Blue also sells clothes, and every month, 10% of the profit is 
donated directly to Lifeline Australia.

Quotes attributable to Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM: 
 
“It was an honour to present Penrith Woman of the Year to Julia while acknowledging Lucinda as the 
Penrith Young Woman of the Year at our Annual International Women’s Day event at Penrith RSL.”