Local Mum a Winner in National Awards | Nicola Baker
Local Mum a Winner in National Awards
Nicola Baker
Words by Stacey Carrick
Photographer Fi Mims Photography
Far North mum Nicola Baker has dedicated her life’s work to raising awareness about Moyamoya disease, with those efforts being recognised at the recent AusMumpreneur Awards.
Taking out the People’s Choice in the Non-Profit and Social Enterprise category, the Moyamoya Australia founder said she was honoured to be named the winner and thanked everyone who voted for her.
Nicola said she was extremely grateful for the community’s support, which has led to increasing awareness about Moyamoya.
“Since winning the award for People’s Choice Not for Profit/Social Enterprise, I have been meeting new people regularly and talking about Moyamoya Disease, and I have been excited to be included in a podcast and also a television program!” she said.
“The podcast was recorded with the host in Hawaii, so our story is becoming more international, garnering more awareness for the rare disease. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and I am extremely grateful to the team at AusMumPreneur for the opportunities that this award has provided me.
“As a direct result of this award, I am also working in collaboration with a number of other incredible women by contributing my own chapter in their new publication, ‘Women Making a Difference’. This anthology will have stories from change makers, heart-led leaders and women making a difference in the world! Women Changing the World is launching in April 2024 in bringing together the voices of 25 women making a difference in big and small ways.”
Nicola’s journey was inspired by the diagnosis and treatment of her son, Jed, who had his first stroke at just 11 months old, was diagnosed with the rare and progressive Moyamoya Disease, and subsequently has survived three brain surgeries and a renal artery bypass. He is now 19 years old, and while he will never be able to live independently, he is living his best life.
Nicola’s book, The Thing About Jed, has just been awarded a bronze medal in the Wickham St George Book Cover of the Year 2023. The book features graphic design by Freya Horn at Designer in Your Pocket, stunning imagery by Rosana Kersh Photography and was edited by Bowerbird Publishing.
The AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The Women’s Business School celebrate and recognise Australian mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
Crystal Leonardi of Bowerbird Publishing was named as a finalist in the Author of the Year category, while Christine Foudoulis of Superior Recruitment was a finalist in the Consulting Services category.
As an editor and publisher, Crystal empowers writers to share their stories. Bowerbird Publishing’s vision is to provide professional, budget-conscious publishing options to all writers, while celebrating their uniqueness and creativity.
Christine’s inspiration to start Superior Recruitment in 2020 was to achieve financial and work-life freedom, create a unique service offering in the Queensland regional recruitment sector and positively contribute to the local business community in Far North Queensland.
Kate Fisher from Milkshakes for Marleigh was awarded the silver award and Helen Rays from Share the Kindness was awarded the bronze award in Nicola’s category.
