Sydney ophthalmologist and global health innovator Dr Sarah Crowe is the inaugural winner of the Women in Industry Awards Excellence in Health and Medicine Award.
Dr Crowe was recognised for her pioneering work in establishing the charity OOXii which aims to transform access to vision care worldwide through an award-winning social impact vision kit. The charity provides affordable vision testing and glasses to people in remote and low-resource communities including in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.
She beat a talented field in the health category which included National Acoustic Laboratories’ principal research audiologist Dr Bec Bennett, Sydney independent audiologist Dr Signe Steers and Queensland independent optometrist Shaina Zheng.
Industry excellence was on display as Australia’s leading women took centre stage on 18 June at the 2026 Women in Industry Awards. Bringing together innovators, trailblazers and change-makers from across the nation at Doltone House Darling Island Wharf in Sydney, the awards recognised the remarkable achievements of women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation and shaping the future of Australia’s industrial sectors.
Dr Crowe said one billion people worldwide are visually impaired simply because they lack access to vision testing and glasses. During a mission in the Solomon Islands in 2017, she witnessed firsthand the life-altering impact of uncorrected refractive error due to a lack of access to vision testing and glasses.
This experience solidified her commitment to addressing this global issue and leading OOXii with a vision to make affordable and accessible spectacles a reality for all, using innovative and evidence-based approaches.
OOXii includes a patented vision testing wheel which allows non–eye health professionals to perform accurate vision assessments, even in the most remote areas.
Paired with an app for seamless training and inventory management, it ensures that essential vision care reaches those who need it most, Dr Crowe said.
Customised glasses are provided on the spot – durable, adjustable frames with pre-cut lenses which ensure immediate vision correction, changing lives instantly. OOXii has dispensed more than 1,000 pairs of the glasses in Papua New Guinea.
Audiologist finalists
Dr Bennett is a clinical audiologist and the principal research audiologist at the National Acoustic Laboratories in Sydney, world leaders in hearing research, and the research division of Hearing Australia. She is also an NHMRC Research Fellow and has led and contributed to many projects which assist hearing practitioners to improve delivery of care to patients.
Dr Steers is a clinical and paediatric audiologist and owner of the independent practice The Audiology Place in Sydney’s northern beaches. She is a casual lecturer at the University of Sydney, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences and an Independent Audiologists Australia committee member.
“Being named a finalist was an honour in itself, and one that I am incredibly proud of,” Dr Steers said. “Today, I return to the clinic feeling inspired, motivated, and more passionate than ever about continuing to build something meaningful through The Audiology Place.
“While I didn’t take home the award, I left feeling incredibly grateful, inspired, and proud to have been included among such an extraordinary group of women!
“One of the unexpected highlights was meeting Shaina Zheng who is doing in optometry what I am so passionate about in audiology: building independent, patient-centred healthcare with heart, purpose, and clinical integrity. She is clearly doing incredible things in her field, and it was a privilege to share the finalist experience with her.”
Dr Steers said it was especially an honour to see Dr Sarah Crowe recognised as the winner and to hear about the extraordinary work she is doing with OOXii. “Her vision, innovation, and global impact are genuinely inspiring, and it was a powerful reminder of what is possible when expertise, purpose, and determination come together,” Dr Steers said.
“What was a special highlight was seeing audiology so strongly represented in the category. Not only was I fortunate enough to be named a finalist, but so was an amazing colleague Dr Bec Bennett whose contribution to our profession never ceases to amaze me. Audiology may be a small profession, but we are certainly making our mark!”
The awards
Following a record number of nominations and attendance of more than 350 industry professionals, supporters, and guests at the gala dinner, the 2026 Awards marked the largest event since the program’s inception.
Molly Hancock, head of events marketing at Prime Creative Media, praised the high calibre of this year’s nominations and reflected on the growing influence of the awards in championing achievement, leadership, and innovation across the industry.
“The quality of nominations received this year has once again been exceptional. Every nominee and finalist has demonstrated excellence in their field, a commitment to delivering outstanding results, and a determination to make a positive difference within their organisation, industry and community,” she said.
The 2026 Awards featured 15 categories celebrating outstanding achievement across leadership, emerging talent, workplace safety, and excellence in a diverse range of industries. This year’s program introduced four new award categories including Women in Leadership, Marketer of the Year, Excellence in Health and Medicine, and Tradeswoman of the Year, further expanding recognition of women’s contributions across these key sectors.
The 2026 Women in Industry Awards winners are:
- Excellence in Health and Medicine- Dr Sarah Crowe, OOXii
- Tradeswoman of the Year- Shannen Jeffery, Newmont
- Women in Leadership- Karlie Zec, Tiny Tins
- Mentor of the Year- Laura Canning, Komatsu
- Excellence in Transport- True Ross, Ross Transport
- Excellence in Mining- Brooke Adamson, Newmont
- Industry Advocacy Award- Tatiana Delendik, Grundfos
- Rising Star of the Year- 30 years and under- Caitlin Barlow, JATEC Transport
- Business Development Success of the Year- Yuan Yuan, Sykes Group
- Marketer of the Year- Caroline Luczynski, SMEC
- Excellence in Energy- Louise Bishop, Zinfra Operations
- Excellence in Construction- Alysse Reedy, Fulton Hogan Construction
- Excellence in Manufacturing- Charline Siccardi, Argon & Co
- Safety Advocacy Award- Sarah Barnbrook, Away from Keyboard Inc.
- Excellence in Engineering- Hoda Ehsani, Fortescue
The evening culminated with the presentation of the program’s highest honour, the Woman of the Year Award, which is chosen from the winners of the 15 award categories. Brooke Adamson from Newmont took home the premier award.
Adamson is a manager of about 300 people at a multibillion dollar copper processing facility and in her personal life she has seven children including five stepchildren.
Beyond recognising outstanding achievements, the Women in Industry Awards serve as an important platform for fostering connection, collaboration and progress across Australia’s industrial sectors. The event brings together women from different industries and career stages, creating valuable opportunities to build networks, share experiences and inspire future leaders.
Beyond recognising outstanding achievements, the Women in Industry Awards serve as an important platform for fostering connection, collaboration and progress across Australia’s industrial sectors. The event brings together women from different industries and career stages, creating valuable opportunities to build networks, share experiences and inspire future leaders.
Head to the website to learn more about the awards womeninindustry.com.au.
