A sold-out crowd of 230 attended the dinner, which raised about $10,000 for the Cessnock Domestic and Family Violence Network.

Winemaker Lisa McGuigan, Aboriginal community liaison officer Sonia Sharpe, and NRLW players Shontelle Stowers and Holli Wheeler were the guest speakers, reflecting on this year's theme 'Choose to Challenge'.

Challenging inequality, finding your passion, following your dreams and the importance of mentors were among the common threads of discussion in their on-stage interviews with MC Anthony Burke.

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"Strong women made me the strong woman I am today," said Ms Sharpe, who was named Cessnock's Local Woman of the Year in 2020 after chairing the inaugural Cessnock Walks Kawuma the year before.

Cessnock Walks Kawuma is an initiative of the Cessnock Domestic and Family Violence Network, which will benefit from the funds raised at Friday's dinner.

The Leagues Club presented a donation of $5000 to the network's sponsor organisation - Cessnock Family Support Service - on the night, with the remainder of funds to come from ticket sales, event sponsorship, raffles and a 100 Club.

Cessnock Hospitality Group marketing manager Natalie Kelly said it was an amazing night.

"We sold out, and we could have sold out again," she said, adding that plans are under way for the 2022 dinner.