Hansen’s Maritime Feat Secures Top Award
A trailblazer who has been making waves for more than a decade in the traditionally male dominated maritime industry has been named Cairns Regional Council’s Woman of the Year.
Courtney Hansen, the owner and managing director of North Marine, received the accolade at the International Women’s Day Awards ceremony at Tanks Arts Centre today (Saturday 8 March).
Held to coincide with International Women’s Day, which takes place annually on 8 March, the awards honour women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, served as role models, and who have made a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Breaking barriers as a mentor and advocate for gender equity in the maritime sector, Ms Hansen continues to reshape the maritime services industry by creating employment and leadership opportunities for women.
With over 15 years of experience, her career has spanned charter fishing, dive operations, and commercial freight shipping.
A Master 4 skipper, she made history as the first permanent female captain for Northern Australia’s largest freight shipping company, Sea Swift, commanding a 50-metre, 1300-ton landing barge across the Australia’s eastern seaboard, the Torres Strait, Gulf of Carpentaria, and Darwin.
Ms Hansen is also a dedicated mentor who is passionate about supporting aspiring leaders and an advocate for Indigenous education programs.
A highly commended award was presented to Sally Mlikota for her work in championing women in business, while Dr. Aemelia Melloy received an honourable mention as an advocate for improved women’s healthcare in the Far North.
Young Woman of the Year was presented to Claudia Kurowski, a passionate advocate for social justice, gender equity, and youth empowerment.
As the co-founder of The Gratitude Initiative, she has championed the needs of women, girls, and children across Australia.
A rising leader in governance, she served as the youngest member of the 29th Queensland Youth Parliament, where she was elected Chief Government Whip and played a key role in drafting the Healthcare Security Youth Act.
Beyond politics, Claudia is an active member of the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council, working to prevent child abuse, and the Mona Foundation, supporting education equity for disadvantaged girls.
Kyra Hourigan received a highly commended award (Young Woman of the Year) for breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated world of AFL umpiring and inspiring the next generation of female athletes and officials.
Michelle “Shelly” Langford has received the 2025 Women’s Recognition Award for her contribution to maternal care in Cairns and Far North Queensland.
With over a decade of experience as a birthworker, perinatal bodywork therapist, and community leader, she has dedicated herself to supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
She founded Gulagbi, a not-for-profit organisation focused on helping Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Papua New Guinean women give birth on country, preserving cultural birthing traditions.
Furthermore, she has self-funded her work in remote FNQ and PNG communities, offering essential maternity care where mainstream services fall short.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said: “As just the second woman to be elected Mayor in the 140 years since the first Council was formed in Cairns back in 1885, I’ve got skin in the game when it comes to this year’s IWD theme of Accelerate Action.
“It’s not always easy being a female leader, but as this year’s extraordinary award winners demonstrate we do it because we care about our community and the kind of future we are creating for generations to come.
“It’s why I’m proud to be part of a Council that has a bold vision to elevate the Cairns region as the leading destination for women’s sport in Australia.”
“I’m very proud that the number of nominations this year is the highest it’s ever been.”
“For 27 years, Council’s International Women’s Day Awards have recognised and celebrated local women who are champions of change and trailblazers in their chosen fields.
“Today we come together to honour our most recent award recipients and acknowledge their achievements.
“Along with our three award winners – Courtney Hansen, Claudia Kurowski and Shelly Langford – I want to also acknowledge highly commended recipients Sally Mlikota and Kyra Hourigan, as well as Dr Aemelia Melloy who received an honourable mention, and all the nominees, your efforts and actions have inspired and changed the lives of others in our community.”
“Together we must continue to advocate for gender equality in community leadership, our business sector and in the sporting arena.”
Courtney Hansen is a trailblazer in the maritime industry, breaking barriers as a leader, mentor, and advocate for gender equity in the sector.
The owner and managing director of North Marine, she is reshaping the industry by creating employment and leadership opportunities for women.
With over 13 years of experience, Mr Hansen’s career has spanned charter fishing, dive operations, and commercial freight shipping.
She made history in 2015 as the first permanent female captain for Northern Australia’s largest freight shipping company, Sea Swift, commanding a 50-metre, 1300-ton landing barge across the eastern seaboard, Torres Strait, Gulf of Carpentaria, and Darwin.
Her expertise in maritime operations, workforce development, and regional service expansion, have been instrumental in securing government funding and driving economic growth in Far North Queensland.
Beyond business, Ms Hansen is a dedicated mentor who is passionate about supporting aspiring leaders and advocating for Indigenous education programs.
Her contributions have been widely recognised, including winning the Lloyd’s List Young Maritime Professional of the Year award (2015) and being a finalist in the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders Awards (2021).
She also serves on the Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Sally Mlikota has dedicated more than two decades to championing and empowering women in business in Cairns.
As the first female president of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and a former president of the Cairns Businesswomen’s Club, she has created opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. Through her leadership at CBC Staff Selection, she has also helped women re-enter the workforce, bridge the gender pay gap and fostered economic security.
Her extensive contributions to community organisations, education, and local business development have cemented her as a respected leader and advocate for women’s empowerment.
Dr Aemelia Melloy is a passionate advocate for women’s healthcare in Far North Queensland.
She played a critical role in raising awareness about the region’s lack of diagnostic services for breast cancer, successfully lobbying for improved local care.
A dedicated doctor and mother, Dr Melloy has demonstrated exceptional commitment to ensuring women in regional areas receive the medical attention they deserve.
Her advocacy has led to tangible improvements in access to life-saving breast cancer screening services.
Claudia Kurowski is a young leader, changemaker, and advocate for social justice, gender equity, and community empowerment.
As the co-founder of The Gratitude Initiative, Ms Kurowski has supported women and girls across Australia, demonstrating a deep commitment to uplifting others.
Her leadership journey includes serving as the Youth Member for Cairns in the Queensland Youth Parliament, where she played a key role in constructing the Healthcare Security Youth Act, advocating for better patient protections across Queensland.
Her dedication earned her the role of Chief Government Whip, making her the youngest member of the 29th Youth Parliament Cabinet.
In a powerful speech delivered to MPs and other stakeholders, she called for immediate action on increasing female representation in leadership roles – an inspiring moment that showcased her fearless commitment to gender equality.
Ms Kurowski’s passion for advocacy extends to her involvement with the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council, fighting to protect children from sexual abuse, and the Mona Foundation, supporting educational opportunities for girls in disadvantaged communities.
She has also worked alongside State and Federal Government representatives, including Cairns MP Michael Healy, State Leader of the Opposition Steven Miles, and Member for and Member for Leichardt Warren Entsch, providing advice on community policies.
A promising young leader, Kyra Hourigan has been breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated world of AFL umpiring, and inspiring the next generation of female athletes and officials.
Since 2021, she has excelled in all three AFL umpiring disciplines – field, boundary, and goal – demonstrating resilience, leadership, and dedication to women’s sport.
In 2024, she made history as the first female recipient of the AFL Cairns Player/Umpire of the Year award and was part of the first-ever all-female umpiring panel at the AFLW National Women’s League curtain-raiser at Cazaly’s Stadium.
Ms Hourigan is a passionate advocate for women’s football, mentoring young athletes, officiating at state and regional championships, and volunteering for community programs that promote inclusivity in sport.
Recognised for her outstanding contributions, Michelle Langford has demonstrated excellence in her field, inspiring women and girls through her work.
Ms Langford has spent over a decade transforming maternal care in Cairns and Far North Queensland.
As a birthworker, perinatal bodywork therapist, and community leader, she has dedicated her life to supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
She is the founder of Gulagbi, a not-for-profit organisation supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Papua New Guinean women to birth on country, preserving cultural birthing traditions.
Ms Langford has self-funded her work in remote communities across FNQ and PNG, providing essential maternity care where mainstream health services do not reach.
Her contributions also extend globally as a volunteer with the Lao Birthwork Project, training doctors, midwives, and mothers in life-saving birthing techniques.
She is also an ambassador for Breech Without Borders and a recognised Spinning Babies practitioner, sharing her expertise worldwide.
Empowering women through education, advocacy, and hands-on support, Ms Langford continues to uplift the community through mentoring birthworkers, hosting homebirth support groups, and financially supporting other female practitioners.
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-notices/media-releases/media-releases/iwd-awards-2025