Local legend Sam McCourt has been announced as the Manly Local Woman of the Year 2021.
Ms McCourt, who was previously an Oncology Nurse at Manly Hospital, helped found ‘Viral Kindness’ in March 2020, a Facebook group to assist people across the Northern Beaches during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Facebook group today has over 3,000 members and has supported people in a variety of different ways during a difficult year. It connected the community at a time of crisis and demonstrated the positive impact that the actions of one person can have.
Following the Viral Kindess initiative, Sam formed Kindness Coffees Manly in 2020. Kindness Coffees is an innovative and accessible way for people to offer support to Manly’s rough sleepers and people in need of assistance. (We’ll write more on that soon!)
Sam joined Manly MP James Griffin and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor (both pictured with Sam above) at the Woman of the Year Awards this week where she received her award among other women celebrated including NSW Woman of the Year, Dr Kerry Chant.
“It is a real honour to receive this year’s Manly Local Woman of the Year awards and be recognised along side some huge champions of 2020, like Dr Kerry Chant.” Ms McCourt said.
“I am pleased to have made an impact on the lives of some the people in our community hardest hit by COVID last year. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to help those in need.”
