Community & Business
10 December, 2025
Champion woman changing the world
RAVENSHOE’s Nicola Baker has added another achievement to her repertoire after being named Volunteer of the Year at the Women Changing the World Australia and the Pacific (APAC) Awards.
Ms Baker earned the award because of all the work she does through her charity, Moyamoya Australia, which offers funding and support to families dealing with the rare and progressive Moyamoya Disease.
The disease is a cerebro-vascular disorder caused by blocked arteries in the brain, which her son, Jed, was diagnosed with when he was just a few years old.
“Now that he is 22, we are determined to find the cause of Moyamoya Disease,” she said.
“This work is so important because (the disease) affects just one in every 100,000 people. It’s an incredibly rare condition with long delays in diagnosis and treatment.
“Moyamoya Australia is the only support network and not-for-profit in Australia and the Asia Pacific that is dedicated to helping patients and their families who are facing this insidious disease. There is simply nothing else available in these regions.
“Our organisation relies solely on my efforts to keep costs low and to support as many people as possible. While I have a few dedicated contractors, I am the heart and driving force behind Moyamoya Australia, committed to working tirelessly until a cure is found, and beyond.
“I’m the creative mind behind our fundraising campaigns and marketing initiatives, developing quirky, attention-grabbing events that have significantly boosted our fundraising success and media presence.”
The Women Changing the World APAC Awards celebrate and recognise women achieving outstanding success in areas such as sustainability, humanitarian impact, leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship, product development, education, health, and innovation.
The awards not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also seek to inspire others to create change in their own way too.
Ms Baker said she is committed to continuing to make an impact through her work and encourages others to make a positive impact in the world.
“If you dream of making an impact in your life, today is the day to start,” she said.
