The Ernie Awards, or the 'Ernies', are Australian awards for comments deemed misogynistic. They are held annually. They are named after former Australian Workers' Union secretary Ernie Ecob, who was known for his misogynistic remarks. One of his best-known remarks was "Women aren't welcome in the shearing sheds. They're only after the sex", which is why there is a sheep on top of the Gold Ernie. The inaugural awards night was in celebration of his resignation from the Labor Council of New South Wales.