Australian Woman of the Year Stole $200,000 From Employer Before European Trip
A former 'Woman of the Year' award recipient in Australia has pleaded guilty to defrauding her employer of nearly $200,000, which she used for personal expenses and travel.
A Sydney woman, once recognized for her fundraising efforts, is facing legal consequences after stealing almost $200,000 from her employer, Paragon Plumbing. Julie McKinnery, from Caringbah, pleaded guilty to five counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Mckinnery, who worked as a bookkeeper for the plumbing company, manipulated the MYOB system to divert payments intended for suppliers into her own bank accounts. Her scheme involved altering supplier details to her personal account, processing payments, and sometimes changing the details back to cover her tracks. She also overpaid or duplicated invoices and requested refunds for the excess amounts. Over 202 transactions, totaling $197,494.73, were identified as fraudulent, including three unauthorized credit card purchases, the largest of which was $37,626.77.
The deception came to light in September 2025 when an overdue supplier payment was discovered while McKinnery was on annual leave. Following the discovery, she was issued a show cause notice by the company. In a letter to the company, McKinnery admitted her actions, citing personal difficulties and a mistaken belief that she was owed more for her work. She expressed shame and acknowledged the breach of trust.
Mckinnery's dismissal from the company occurred shortly after she shared photos on social media of her travels in Europe, including destinations like Turkey, Greece, and Venice, and a cruise. She had been celebrated locally for raising over $75,000 for breast cancer research, and had previously been called a 'fundraising powerhouse' by Cronulla MP Mark Speakman. Shortly after her return from Europe, she canceled her annual breast cancer fundraiser, citing 'personal reasons' and 'crazy times.'
During a recent hearing at Sutherland Local Court, McKinnery's solicitor indicated her willingness to repay the full amount to the insurer that compensated Paragon Plumbing for its losses. Sentencing is scheduled for December 15.