How Canberra resident Sunita's idea to reuse unwanted items won her Citizen of the Year award

In Australia's suburbs, unwanted household items are often left on the kerb—ready to be discarded, donated or discovered. For Canberra resident Sunita Kotnala, those kerbside treasures became the foundation for a community venture. Founded in 2020, Women's Shed Canberra has since helped around thousands of migrant and culturally diverse women learn practical trade skills, gain confidence using power tools, and challenge traditional gender stereotypes. Today, the initiative is changing lives, one workshop at a time.