The University of Newcastle, Australia

Bronwyn Hall was today named the winner of the Leadership Award for her vision and ingenuity in developing education resources to help students overcome the fear of essay writing.

In response to the challenges faced by students when preparing essays, Ms Hall designed a new resource - The Night Before Essay Planner. More than 10,700 copies of the resource have sold since its launch in 2007 and Ms Hall now also offers free online writing support service through her website The Research Den.

University of Newcastle Chancellor, Professor Trevor Waring, said the Leadership Award recognised and encouraged emerging leaders under the age of 35 in the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid-North Coast regions.

"Today's young leaders are the key to a strong future for our regions. Investing in young people today will reap rewards tomorrow," Professor Waring said.

"The calibre of nominations demonstrating both professional and community leadership was very impressive this year. Ms Hall, who also works for the Central Coast Community College in Indigenous Support, has shown great commitment to the Central Coast region."

Ms Hall receives a package of prizes, including a $10,000 leadership development scholarship.

Finalist James Lawson from Gosford City Council received the $3,000 FordComm Highly Commended Award.

As the Senior Technical and Research Officer - Waste Services, he is responsible for a range of programs including implementing the Future Waste Strategy, environmental monitoring and reporting of Council's landfills, and coordination of the regional domestic waste and recycling contract.

Other finalists included Sally McCafferty from Onesteel, Elizabeth Keevers from The Samaritans Foundation, Megan Lohse from the North Coast Institute of TAFE and Geoff Crews from Forsythes.

The Leadership Award was sponsored by the University of Newcastle, FordComm and the Coal and Allied Community Trust. It also received generous support from the Hunter Business Chamber, HEDC, The Herald and 2NURFM.