At 12, Punjabi-origin girl is youngest female author to win prestigious award in Australia

Australian-born, Indian girl Ashleen Khela, 12, and Australia's youngest published female author, hailing from Sajawalpur village in Balachaur tehsil of Nawanshahr district in Punjab, was awarded the prestigious "New South Wales Woman of the Year" state award in The Ones to Watch Age 7-15 category on Thursday in Sydney.

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, presented the award to Ashleen Khela on Friday during a state-level function organised by the New South Wales state government at the International Convention Centre Sydney to mark International Women's Day.

This award was given to Ashleen for donating all proceeds from the sale of two books she wrote at a very young age to support the welfare of poor and neglected children around the world, including Australia.

She also raised all the expenses for the publication of her debut book by recycling bottles and cans and gardening from the age of 8 to 11, her father, Amarjit Khela, a prominent entrepreneur in Australia, has informed.

In a letter to Ashleen, upon publication of her second book, Jodie Harrison, NSW Minister for Women, wrote: "(Ashleen), You should be extremely proud of your efforts to produce this book that brings to the fore gender biases women across NSW continue to endure. As the Minister for Women, I have a keen interest in addressing this issue, and I am always delighted when I hear about young women like you who are taking matters into their own hands and driving change."

New South Wales Governor, Her Excellency Margaret Beazely, invited Ashleen to Government House Sydney to have tea after the awards ceremony.

The Governor fully commended and praised Ashleen for her philanthropic work through her writings.

Ashleen Khela started writing at the tender age of eight with the intention of helping the children of migrant workers living in roadside slums that she met in Punjab during her visit to India in 2019.

Today, she is known as a world-famous youngest author who helps underprivileged children across the globe with her books. Ashleen's debut book, "17 Stories," was published in 2023 at the age of 11, making her the youngest female published author in Australia.

She raised funds for underprivileged children, earning her international recognition. Her second book, "Journey Through Her Jersey," was published in December 2024.

All proceeds from the sales of both books go towards charities and underprivileged children globally. As a result, the young Aussie author has so far donated thousands of dollars to UNICEF, UN Women, Starlight Children's Foundation, and Cancer Council Australia, as well as laptops, warm clothes, shoes, books, stationery, and nutritious food to the underprivileged children of migrant workers living in the roadside slums of Punjab and Punjab kids studying in many government schools of Doaba.

"Journey Through Her Jersey" is an inspirational novella that follows a girl who has to overcome significant gender bias and hurdles to pursue her talents and dreams as a soccer player. Ashleen Khela was also recently awarded the "Young Citizen of the Year 2025 Award" by the Hills Shire Council in Sydney on Australia Day.