Now in its seventh year and with the generous support of local businesses including major supp-orter, ResCo Services, the Steel Magnolia Award has become an established and prestigious event in the community.

Nominations are now open to all women residents of the Newcastle and Lower Hunter Region.

Nomination forms are available through Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter or from Newcastle Permanent branches in the Newcastle and Lower Hunter region.

The closing date is February 26.

Previous award recipients include:

>> Robyn Cotterell-Jones – established the VOCAL Victims Support Unit.

>> Jill Stuart – fundamental in opening the Stuart Centre for people with cerebral palsy.

>> Leonie Forsyth – Kid Safe Hunter.

CEO Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter Kay Chapman said the title Steel Magnolia captured the type of woman that Lifeline was looking to honour.

The 2010 recipient of the Steel Magnolia Award will be announced at ceremony to be held at the Starlight Room, Wests New Lambton on Friday, March 12 from 6.30 to 9pm.

The tickets are $75 each or $700 for a table of 10 and include champagne on arrival, wine, drinks and a two-course gourmet dinner.

Every day, Lifeline’s volunteer telephone counsellors hear stories of courage, bravery and strength from women around our region.

It is these stories that inspired the creation of the Steel Magnolia Award.

For further information, nomination forms or tickets for the award dinner, go to www.lifelinehunter.org.au, phone Julienne Constable at Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter on 4940 2007.