Women from right across the State were celebrated on Thursday, 6 March at the2020 NSW Women of the Year Awards, on the eve of International Women’s Day andduring the State’s second Women’s Week.

Now in its ninth year, the NSW Women of the Year Awards recognise andcelebrate the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to industry,communities and society.

Ms van den Broek is the founder and CEO of award-winning pet brand Rufus &Coco and a mother of both human and fur babies.

She had an entrepreneurial streak from a young age and began her firstbusiness selling mice to the local pet shop for 40 cents each. In 2008, shelaunched Rufus & Coco which is now stocked nationally and exports to ninecountries across Asia and North America.

Upon receiving this award Anneke van Broek spoke of her passion for animalwelfare. “I am extremely honoured to win the 2020 NSW Business Women of theYear Award today. My passion is animal welfare and we are proud to raise fundsthrough the sale of our products to support APWF get to zero euthanasia –currently 100K healthy animals are euthanatised each year in Australia. Overthe years, as we have grown, so has our ability to give back to animals inneed. I began this business with a genuine desire to make a difference and itis my dream to continue to grow my business to the point where I can give backto animals in need on an even greater scale. I warmly congratulate the statefinalists. I am humbled to be in the company of so many incredible women andbusiness leaders. Keep up the trail blazing – your stories and journeysinspire me and so many. And of course, thank you Women NSW, and all those whovoted. In granting me this award you have today helped to strengthen my voicein support of my mission.”

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