Last Tuesday’s Club meeting, 9 June 2026, was a significant and proud occasion as we held a Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award night. The Pride of Workmanship Award, a key part of Rotary’s Vocational Service, honours individuals and organisations whose exemplary dedication to their vocation merits public acknowledgement.
Rotary Club of Blacktown City presented the Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award to Valerie Karim.
First introduced by the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills in 1975, the Pride of Workmanship Award has earned national and international recognition, reinforcing Rotary’s commitment to promoting vocational excellence. Its guiding motto is:
“Do it once – do it well. Build a better Australia.”
The Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award is widely regarded as a prestigious honour, and to be nominated and selected is a significant achievement. Our Club is equally proud and honoured to present this Award to someone whose dedication and service truly embody the motto of the Award and exemplify Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
Valerie Karim is the Executive Officer of Junaya Aboriginal Corporation. A values driven leader, she is committed to strengthening systems, empowering people, and ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families live strong, connected, and culturally grounded lives. Valerie brings extensive experience from senior roles within the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, specialising in commissioning, planning, community services, and supporting vulnerable families across Western Sydney.
Junaya’s strategic plan set the pathway for the organisation to transition into an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO). Valerie with her determination and steady leadership, led the organisation’s strategic, operational, and cultural transition. She guided Junaya in this journey, overseeing planning, Board and staff engagement, community consultations, administrative processes, and work with government agencies and partner organisations. A non-aboriginal woman, she carried the work through to full success and achieving the milestone, fully aware of her own position coming to an end.
The Rotary Club of Blacktown City is immensely proud to honour Valerie for her outstanding dedication and commitment to building a stronger community and a better Australia.
