Hi everyone, some interesting things in this newsletter FYI, although nothing about birthing, the ideas have importance to women's issues generally....
this following item is just one of the snippets within and has some relevance to midwifery activity... If you are listening to future Australia Talk Back programs and want to contribute you can phone toll free to express your views on air: ph 1800-802-341 For tips about how to make effective talk back radio contributions, see the section of the National Women's Media Centre's Activist's Handbook on talk back radio: http://www.nwmc.org.au/Resources/activist/talkbackradio.htm warmly, Carolyn Hastie ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* TRUST THE WOMEN NATIONAL BULLETIN No 6 - 26th June 2002 - Post Convention issue - ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* COORDINATING COMMUNITY ACTION BY WOMEN AND LEADING TO TRUST THE WOMEN: WOMEN'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 11-13 June 2002, Canberra CONTENTS ~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Welcome 2. Trust the Women - Convention 2.1 Convention Report - Robin Tennant-Wood 2.2 Convention Outcomes - Gwen Gray 2.2.1 Statement of Regret and Apology 2.2.2 Convention Statement 2.2.3 Convention Resolutions 2.2.4 Statement of Themes 2.2.5 Action Issues 2.3 Remembering the Event 3. More News 3.1 Women’s Suffrage Memorial - Judy Harrison 3.2 Country Viewpoint: Liz and Cathy! 3.3 Equal Opportunity - SMH 3.4 Bill of Rights - Australia Talks Back 4. Women in Communities 4.1 Rural Women Celebrating in Chiltern - Jill Briggs 4.2 Celebrating Success in Mt Gambier - Lara Scott 4.3 Community Workshops Coming Up! 5. Contacts 6. Supporting Organisations 7. Acknowledgments ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. WELCOME! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The 100 year anniversary of the Commonwealth Franchise Act, that gave most Australian women the right to vote and stand in federal elections, was marked on 12 June 2002. But this was an incomplete centenary because the Franchise Act denied the right to vote federally to 'aboriginal native[s] of Australia, Africa, Asia or the Islands of the Pacific except New Zealand' unless covered under Section 41. The Trust the Women Convention held in Canberra from 11-13 June 2002 also marked 2002 as the 40 year anniversary of Indigenous people gaining the right to vote federally in Australia. The balance of 2002 provides a continuing opportunity for women in communities around Australia. This is an evocative time for women leaders - no matter what the context - to encourage reflection and new energy to promote the status of women in Australia. One of the main themes of the Trust the Women Convention was how long some of the things that need to be done are going to take. Women left the Convention with much food for thought about the role of Australian women in the social, political and constitutional future of our country. The need for continuing work, at so many levels, passes from each generation of women to the next. And, while we look back to what has been achieved - much more importantly - we must also find the ways forward. We are calling on you, the readers of this Bulletin to think about what you can do in your community, or in your role or position, to use the centenary and the 40 year anniversary to create new momentum. Although this is the last of the Trust the Women Bulletins, all of the material that has been circulated will remain available on the web site. Also, all of the women who attended the Trust the Women Convention two weeks ago are a fantastic resource - and some have already committed to undertaking follow on workshops or other activities in their communities. The national coordinator work is winding up because the resources for the project are coming to an end. But that this part is finishing certainly does not mean that the year is over! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. TRUST THE WOMEN CONVENTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ 2.1 CONVENTION REPORT Contributed by Robin-Tennant Wood, National Community Coordinator The Trust the Women - Women’s Constitutional Convention began with a solemn statement of apology and regret to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ended with a statement of outcomes and themes for action. Over 170 delegates attended the Convention from June 11-13, representing institutions, organisations, government departments, governments at all levels, political parties and, importantly, themselves. They came from all corners of the country Torres Strait to Tasmania; the Pilbara to the Pilliga; Moree to Melbourne; Darwin to Dogswamp; and Adelaide to Alice Springs. A truly inspirational group of diverse, active and positive women leaders. In a full program held over two and a half days, delegates heard a total of 38 papers on a range of subjects relating to women’s participation at all levels of civic and political life. Thanks to the hard work of the presenters, most of the papers are now available on the Convention website at: http://www.wcc2002.asn.au/program/index.htm The outcomes of the Convention consist of: - the Statement of Regret and Apology - the Convention Statement titled - Women Living Democracy - Resolutions, - Statement of Themes, and - Action Issues Each of these are set out below. A copy is also available on the web at http://www.wcc2002.asn.au/program/index.htm Women gave of their best during the Convention. For example, Eva Cox and Moira Rayner being unable to attend to present their joint paper were nevertheless there in force through the efforts of Erica Lewis and Chelsey Bell, who delivered the paper in their place. Kiri Hata, Chair of the Australia National Committee for Refugee Women, led singing at the Convention dinner with Linda Crebbin from ACT Women Lawyers putting the ball in motion and Kerry Arabena (just watch this space!) - egging everyone along. The Convention came to an end on Thursday with a public Night Sitting at Old Parliament House, for the debate "Women Should Never Have Got the Vote". Alex Sloane umpired the hilarious, scathing and scintillating display and Rachel Berger helped turn up the heat. The negative team (Katy Gallagher, Liz Young and Ros Dundas) of course won but the affirmative team (Robin Tennant-Wood, Kate Carnell and Samantha Maiden) held out to the last breath. ---------------------------------------------------- ~2.2 CONVENTION OUTCOMES Compiled by Gwen Gray with help from Robin Tennant-Wood and Judy Harrison ~ 2.2.1 STATEMENT OF REGRET AND APOLOGY Note: this statement was endorsed by those non-Indigenous delegates present at the commencement of the Convention by standing and raising out their arms in comfort and solidarity with Indigenous women. Indigenous women present responded by standing and raising out their arms in return. The Statement: To the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women present at this Convention, to your families, to your communities and to your peoples:- We non-Indigenous women express our deep and sincere regret and apology for the untold human suffering and injustice that you have experienced as a result of colonisation and generations of discrimination and marginalisation. We recognise you as a sovereign people who have never given up you sovereignty. We recognise ourselves as the descendants of the invaders and we share with you our feelings of shame and horror at their actions and their atrocities. We recognise the appalling truth, that we are the living beneficiaries of their actions. We share with your our dilemmas about how to work with you and how to best support your aspirations. We acknowledge your human right to self determination. We commit to working in solidarity with you in the ways that you choose and determine. We recognise your leadership, we honour your visions, and we hope for a future that will be what you want it to be. ------------------------- ~* 2.2.2 CONVENTION STATEMENT Note: The following statement was endorsed by the delegates in attendance at the Trust the Women Convention on 13 June 2002 WOMEN LIVING DEMOCRACY: SUPPORTING, SUSTAINING AND RECOGNISING WOMEN'S FULL PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE. 1. The winning of the right to vote and stand for Parliament by all women in Australia has not translated into equal political influence or equal access to political office. Indigenous women and their communities have been most seriously affected. 2. Women are still under-represented in access to elected office at all levels in Australia and women remain under-represented among appointed and invited office holders. 3. At the same time, women have an undiminished will to participate fully, to speak and be heard, to play a decision-making role and to be involved in the full breath of social, political, economic and cultural life. 4. Many women, therefore, feel extremely frustrated by the narrowness and exclusivity of Australian political life. There is a strong feeling that our public institutions need new voices, fresh imagination and new skills. 5. Women insist on entering fully into the entire democratic process of' agenda setting, decision-making and decision implementation. Women aim to find ways to increase their political influence, power and resources. 6. The women from all walks of life, from all Australian states and territories, who have gathered at the Women's Constitutional Convention 2002, believe in and will work for three broad, overarching objectives: - The promotion of deeper and broader public conversations about our democracy, that include education about the current Australian Constitution and recognition of women's visions for full participation in our future, - Human rights commitments and processes must be strengthened for all women and specific rights for women must be formulated, and - Democratic institutions and practices must be fully inclusive, responsible and operate with full respect for the community. 7. We commit to continually trying to broaden and enrich Australian public debate and the inclusion of those who have little public voice. 8. We ask that the next Women's Constitutional Convention again consider ways of deepening Australian democracy, so that it works fully and effectively for all women. 9. We trust the women: - To lead and represent inclusively, - To listen and reflect and act on what they hear, - To consult, advise and inform clearly, - To allocate resources fairly and to account openly for public resources and government decisions; - To make laws in good faith and see that they are kept, and - To participate in and resource honest and robust public discussions. 10. We trust the women in political parties, the media, Parliament, the Executive, the judiciary and everywhere in political life. We call on them to keep our trust - and to themselves recognise, sustain and trust the women. ------------------------- ~* 2.2.3 CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS Trust the Women: Women's Constitutional Convention 2002 passed the following resolutions: 1. That this Convention support Indigenous Australian women in the establishment of a National Indigenous Women’s Secretariat by whatever means and networks at our disposal. 2. This Convention: 2.1 Calls on the federal government to restore funding to the National Women's Non-Goverment Organisations funding program. The Government has announced the intention to commission an artwork commemorating the centenary of women's suffrage which has been reported as having the same value as the money removed from the program: $500,000. 2.2 Considers that a more appropriate commemoration of Australian women's suffrage is to acknowledge the importance of supporting the voice of a broad diversity of women's organisations, with particular recognition of the need for an Indigenous women's voice. Note: Background to these resolutions - Resolution 1 - National Indigenous Women's Secretariat This resolution was put to the Convention by Indigenous women delegates. The federal Office of the Status of Women is presently funding three, and soon four, 'National Women's Secretariats'. The three so far are the National Council of Women, the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women, and the Young Women's Christian Association of Australia. The fourth, is the National Rural Women's Secretariat. On the 25 June 2002 it was announced that this will be provided by the National Rural Women's Alliance. The Alliance consists of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women, Australian Women in Agriculture, Country Women's Association (Queensland), the Women's Industry Network - Seafood Community, Australian Local Government Women's Association, National Rural Health Alliance, Isolated Children's Parents Association. There is currently no National Indigenous Women's Secretariat. There is information about the existing National Secretariats and intended Rural Women's Secretariats on the web at: http://osw.dpmc.gov.au/3rd_nat_sec.cfm http://osw.dpmc.gov.au/rural_secretariat_tender.cfm - Resolution 2 - Appropriate commemoration of women's suffrage On 12 June Senator Vanstone, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women announced that the Commonwealth would commission a public artwork to be installed in Canberra to commemorate the centenary of women's federal suffrage. The announcement can be read on the web at: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/minfacs.nsf/home/index.htm ------------------------- ~* 2.2.4 STATEMENT OF THEMES Note: the following themes emerged from the workshop discussions 1. The politics of hope must prevail over the politics of fear. 2. Marginalised groups of women must be included in all political processes. 3. Diverse groups of women must be included in all political processes. 4. Participation in, and equal access to political processes, will require a range of consultative processes. 5. Non-mainstream and marginalised women are still rendered invisible or demonised by political and social processes. We are ALL here to stay. We need to acknowledge and celebrate such diversity. 6. Prioritise the development of an ethical society. 7. The quality of political debate to be raised through active political participation based on education, knowledge and consultation. 8. International arenas are fundamentally important avenues for advancing women's human rights. 9. Equal access and full participation of women in all power structures are essential for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. 10. The A Bill of Rights would transfer rights from the parliamentary arena to the judicial arena. Women will need more control/influence than they have now in the judicial arena. 11. The capacity of the Senate to block executive power promotes the interests of women and democracy. 12. There is a serious need to rebuild trust in male dominated political institutions. 13. The increase of women in trade unions is a huge window of opportunity for the advancement of women. 14. Recognition of the diverse role women play in agriculture. 15. Women securing the futures of their families through the right to farm. 16. Rural, regional and remote women looking for alternatives to build futures through leadership, networks, partnerships and positive outcomes for communities. 17. Respect and care for eco-systems are essential for dignity and survival. 18. Women with disabilities are still seen as less than fully capable of decision-making. Women with disabilities need more support, especially economic support, to facilitate political and social participation. 19. The intersection between gender and religious freedom is a cause for concern. The nature of religious freedom and its relationship with civil law and cultural freedom should be investigated. 20. "Girl Power" says equality is ours. It is an unquestionable right and we will not tolerate less. Young women have found new ways to agitate for change and are ready to be involved. 21. Young women want real choices and they must be heard so that relevant policies can be developed. 22. Recognition for volunteer workers and carers. ----------------------------------- ~* 2.2.5 ACTION ISSUES Note: The following action issues were identified in workshops and noted by the final plenary of the Trust the Women Convention. The actions were subsequently grouped under the headings in which they appear below for ease of reference. ~ Indigenous issues 1. Unless Indigenous people indicate otherwise in the future, this Women’s Constitutional Convention supports the making of a Treaty between Indigenous people and the Australian people, and Australian governments. 2. There is a willingness and an intention to create constructive partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women. 3. Non-Indigenous women support Indigenous women in their quest for equality and status as Australian women. 4. A National Indigenous Women’s Secretariat should be funded to at least the same extent, and preferably to a much greater extent, as the other four national Women’s Secretariats. ~ International 5. The Australian government must sign the Optional Protocol to CEDAW now! 6. Our signed international obligations must be transferred into domestic policy within a stipulated time period. 7. Resources for development and dissemination of information to foster greater public awareness of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (31 October 2000) as an educative and advocacy tool. ~ Constitutional 8. A new preamble to the Constitution should be written, based on inclusive principles and formulated in consultation with key stakeholders, such as Indigenous peoples, Republicans and women and men of Australia. 9. The right to vote should be entrenched in the Constitution. 10. Any Bill of Rights must include positive, sex specific rights, not merely universal human rights or anti-discrimination legislation. 11. In debate on a Bill of Rights, Australian women should argue for the inclusion of explicit clauses on the right to bodily and psychological integrity, including autonomy in their choice of maternity and control over reproduction. ~ Institutional 12. A job description for the Head of State, which accords with feminist principles, should be written. 13. Women-friendly processes should be established for selection of Governors General. 14. The republican movement needs women to work for constitutional reform, which might take a variety of directions. 15. Equal input from women in the development of a republic should be apparent at every stage of the process. 16. Ways to allow wider women’s participation in the judicial process are needed. 17. Peak bodies, representing marginalised groups of women, must be refunded. 18. The Sex Discrimination Act needs to be amended to cover political parties and religious organisations. 19. Proposals to weaken the power of the Senate are not in the interests of women and should be opposed. 20. The role of parliamentary speakers must be expanded to facilitate responsible, respectful behavior in Parliaments. 21. Women should write to politicians asking to be represented in a respectful, responsible manner. 22. Support the thrust Women’s Charter for Political Reform prepared by Women Into Politics. 23. Civics education, especially education in democratic political participation, for women and all Australians must be developed. ~ Advancing the status of women 24. There is a need to develop ethical cultures which would necessarily involve the inclusion of marginalised groups of women. 25. Support programs for women including the development of mentoring programs. 26. Develop ways that allow the ‘activism’ at the intersection between organisations and women activists to foster participation at the local level. 27. Farmers who are using sustainable practices need to be compensated for the reversal of mistakes brought about by past government policies. 28. Women farmers to work in consultation with other groups to ensure the survival of the family farm. 29. Devise ways to have women's voices heard and to prevent debates being dominated by the Centre for Independent Studies. 30. All government programs and services must be gender audited. 31. All political parties must develop an access action plan for political participation for people with disabilities, especially women. 32. A rights-based discrimination system for people with disabilities must be developed. 33. Lessons learned in feminist practice need to be applied in the struggle to achieve effective multicultural recognition. Culturally and linguistically appropriate consultative processes need to be utilised to enable input from the broadest possible spectrum of Australian women. 34. Ways and means must be found to effectively change the ethical and cultural attitudes which undermine anti-discrimination law and movement (including, but not limited to, education), thus accelerating the achievement of equal participation. 35. Information technology and “Girlpower” can be used to complement the mass rallies and petitions of earlier feminist activity. 36. The Girlpower that has been ignited in young women should be embraced. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~2.3 REMEMBERING THE EVENT Talk about collectable! What can you and the National Library of Australia have in common? As for the first Women's Constitutional Convention in February 1998, the NLA will be archiving 'relics' of the Trust the Women Convention for posterity. This includes examples of the items produced to remember the convention. Reading on…. - Tea towels: 100% cotton tea towels featuring our logo and Judy Horacek’s fantastic cartoon, $10 each. - Postcards: packs of 10 featuring the logo and Horacek cartoon, $10 for a pack of 10 cards - Convention photo: this is a full group photo taken on June 12th, the date of the centenary, of all Convention delegates, support staff and volunteers. A limited number available, $25 each. All can be ordered through the Coordination Office ph: 02 6247 6679 fax: 02 6257 3070 or from the website: http://www.wcc2002.asn.au/program/merchandise.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. MORE NEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~3.1 WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MEMORIAL Prepared by Judy Harrison, Convenor National Women's Justice Coalition from the Minister's speech on 12 th June, 2002. In her speech delivered at Parliament House, on the centenary of the Commonwealth Franchise Act on 12 June 2002, Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women announced that the Commonwealth would commission a major public artwork to 'recognise the extraordinary efforts of those Australians, who early in Federation, achieved for women both the right to vote and stand in federal elections'. She said that Australia needs 'something lasting, something with gravitas, with quality and something inspiring… that highlights how important this centenary is'. Advertisements relating to the first stage of the work appeared in national newspapers on the weekend of the 22 June 2002. In her speech the Minister said that the artwork would be commissioned in the next six months and would be unveiled in late 2002. The Minister announced that the artwork will be at the centre of the parliamentary triangle, on the Land Axis which connects Parliament House to the War Memorial and Mount Ainslie. The Minister said that 'the Axis is central to Walter Burley Griffin's design for the national capital. Not only is the site on that Axis, it is also appropriately placed between the old and new Parliament Houses. The symbolism of the site being on the Land Axis and between the old and new Parliament Houses is very strong. The site is on the northern end of Federation Mall and can be clearly seen as you look out from the front of the new Parliament House from the Queen's Terrace'. A Steering Committee consisting of three high-profile fine art experts has been established. The members are Betty Churcher (Chair) former Director of the National Gallery of Australia; Ron Radford, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia; and Anna Waldmann, Manager, Visual Arts/Craft, of the Australia Council for the Arts. The Steering Committee selected the site and will select a winning artist by November 2002 to carry out the project. You can read the Minister's full speech online at: http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/minfacs.nsf/home/index.htm ---------------------------------------------------- ~ 3.2 COUNTRY VIEWPOINT - LIZ AND CATHY! On 11 and 12 June Country Viewpoint, a regular part of ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph, featured leading women talking about leadership and visions for the future against the backdrop of the centenary and 40 year anniversary of the federal vote. On 11 June Liz Young, Program Manager for the National Farmers Federation's Women's Initiative and Executive Officer of the Australian Rural Leadership Network spoke about the campaigns by Australian agricultural women's organisations to make their voices heard in industry groups and other forums around Australia. Then on 12 June, Cathy McGowan, former president of Australian Women in Agriculture and Chair of the Regional Women's Advisory Council set out her vision for a future of more shared understanding and partnering to make real change and progress. If you missed the programs you can read the transcripts on the ABC web site at: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/viewpoint/index/archive.htm ---------------------------------------------------- ~ 3.3 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY - SMH Equal Opportunity was the title of an article by Cynthia Banham published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 11 June 2002. The article considers the centenary and 40 year anniversary of the federal franchise. The piece includes contributions by: Kim Rubenstein, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Melbourne; Eva Cox, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney; Roslyn Dundas, Leader of the Democrats in the ACT Legislative Assembly; Denese Griffin, Coordinator, National Network of Indigenous Women Legal Services; Kiri Hata, Chair, Australian National Committee on Refugee Women; Sandy Killick, Convenor, Women's Electoral Lobby (Australia). You can read the article online at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/10/1022982820112.html -------------------------------------------------------------------- ~ 3.4 BILL OF RIGHTS - AUSTRALIA TALKS BACK On Monday 24 June, the ABC Radio National's, Australia Talks Back featured discussion and talk back about an Australia Bill of Rights. Guests on the program were Professor George Williams, Director, Gilbert & Tobin Centre of Public Law, University of NSW; Dr. Helen Irving, Senior Lecturer, Law Faculty, University of Sydney; and Larissa Behrendt, Professor of Law & Indigenous Studies, University of Technology, Sydney. If you missed the program you can download the audio file from: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/austback/index/default.htm If you are listening to future Australia Talk Back programs and want to contribute you can phone toll free to express your views on air: ph 1800-802-341 For tips about how to make effective talk back radio contributions, see the section of the National Women's Media Centre's Activist's Handbook on talk back radio: http://www.nwmc.org.au/Resources/activist/talkbackradio.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. WOMEN IN COMMUNITIES ~ 4.1 RURAL WOMEN CELEBRATING- CHILTERN by Jill Briggs, Rural Training Initiatives Australian Women in Agriculture AWiA - Wahguyah Group North Eastern Victoria gathered to celebrate in Chiltern on the 12 th of June for the hundred year celebration of women across Australia getting the vote and forty years of indigenous voting rights. The Wahgunyah group gathers a number of times each year, usually seasonally. Many issues were addressed during the evening and we celebrated two of our members receiving travel bursaries to the Third Rural Women's Congress in Madrid - Spain, October 2002. Congratulations Lois Hotson (Chiltern) and Gillian Gasser (Gapsted). The group was addressed by Noelle Quinn, Coordinator - Hume Murray Food Bowl. She outlined her roles and responsibilities and the function of the Hume Murray Food Bowl as a means of promoting and developing the our regions food, wine and other beverages. The Hume Murray Food Bowl aims to: - Provide a vehicle to showcase and market the product of the NE Victoria and Southern NSW region - Develop and promote networks between local producers and consumers - Add to the region's food and wine trails - Link tourism, events and regional cuisine - Offer learning experiences across all ages to promote the regions excellence and opportunity. Noelle spent much time talking about the produce found across the region and the farmers market. The farmers markets have become a key tool in showcasing fresh produce in regions across Australia - Albury hosts one this weekend. The evening always focus on spending time listening to other women's enterprising ideas and activities. What a raft of skills we have in our group. These skills are used for developing on farm business opportunities - cherry growing, walnut orchards, pork production, rural training facilitators, wine production, broad acre cropping businesses, GPS systems for farming, beef production, prime lamb production, olive groves, accounting , to name just a handful. As a group we certainly reflect a diverse group of voters and political allegiances. We also recognise that as a voting group we can hold much sway over decisions politicians make. Our group looks forward next meeting to hearing from Jagjit Plate about the World Trade Organisation and social justice for women who derive their income from the land. Doesn't it just all tie neatly into voting. To our sisters who did all the work 100 years ago - THANKS from the Wahgunyah group - Australian Women in Agriculture. Jill Briggs Rural Training Initiatives [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0260357284 (phone) 0260357265 (fax) 0409455710 (mob) -------------------------- ~ 4.2 CELEBRATING SUCCESS IN MT GAMBIER by Lara Scott, Project Officer Mt Gambier women marked the centenary of suffrage and celebrated the achievements of local women with a breakfast forum held on June 20th. “In the South East women have made a major contribution to the business sector, the arts, regional and community development,” said Liz Ballinger Chairman of Women in Business and Regional Development. MC at the Breakfast was Sandy Coulson, Executive Officer Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce and Programme Convenor, Soroptimist International. Local historians Wendy Monger and Lois Dean, provided an insight into some of the successes and difficulties had by women of the past. Tarah Ker spoke about her success in starting her own business and Danielle Sage, District Council of Grant, Young Citizen of the Year Award winner spoke about how recognition of her achievements has changed her life. The forum also looked at community input into the development of a “Youth Awards Calendar”. A new project initiated by Women in Business and Regional Development to encourage community groups and businesses to become involved in encouraging youth leadership and recognizing the achievements of our young people. Liz Ballinger concluded, “We want more of our youth to be nominated for available leadership programs and achievement awards.” The Breakfast began with a Traditional Welcome by Aunty Hilda Blessios, and concluded with a standing and heartfelt rendition of 'I am Woman', by Helen Reddy. Two local Indigenous women were brave and tuneful enough to go to the microphone and lead the 'choir'. Val Brennan and Penny Schubert were in fine voice, even at 9am! The rest of the 40 women stood, clapped and sang along. We had balloons in the suffrage colours and many women chose to wear purple in celebration of the event. Lara Scott, Project Officer South East Area Consultative Committee ph: (08) 8762 0458 fax: 08 8735 1164 ----------------------------------------------- ~ 4.3 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS COMING UP There are still some resource kits available for communities wishing to hold workshops or public events related to the issues of women’s enfranchisement and political participation. The kits contain information about the history of women’s suffrage and political involvement, ideas for women to take action on civic or political issues in their communities and information from Office of the Status of Women, the Australian Electoral Commission and ATSIC. Community workshops are being held in the following centres: - Tennant Creek (NT), June 29, contact Pene (08) 8962 1999 - Sorell (Tas), date TBC, contact Carmel (03) 6265 6400 - Frankston (Vic), June 28, contact Hellen (03) 9785 1443 - Camperdown (Vic), July 25, contact Val (03) 5596 2014 - Broken Hill (NSW), July 23, “Women, the Vote, and You in the Far West”, including constitutional issues for women and women in regional development, contact Daria Turley, (08) 80801511 - Maleny (QLD), July 1, contact Mary, (07) 5494 4634 Further details on all workshops are available on the website http://www.wcc2002.asn.au/index.html If you are intending to hold a workshop or function and would like one of the resource kits as a basis of information on women’s civic and political involvement, please contact Meredith or Robin at the office, ph: 02 6247 6679 fax: 02 6257 3070. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. CONTACTS National Coordination Office GPO Box 3148 Canberra ACT 2601 ph: 02 6247 6679 fax: 02 6257 3070 Coordinator Meredith Hinchliffe ph: 02 6247 6679 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] National Community Coordinator Robin Tennant-Wood ph: 02 6247 4669 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS The Trust the Women Bulletin is a project of the Australian Women's Constitutional Network. The AWCN Steering Committee includes representatives from: - Australian Women Lawyers - National Women’s Justice Coalition - Women’s Electoral Lobby Australia - Women into Politics - YWCA of Australia - Women for an Australian Republic Support is being received from the following: - National Foundation for Australian Women - National Council of Women (ACT) - Soroptimist International, Australia - Australian Federation of University Women - National Women’s Justice Coalition National women's organisations that would like to lend their support are invited to contact the National Coordination Office. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Trust the Women lead up project is funded by the Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women We also acknowledge support and assistance from: National Museum of Australia Computer Assistance Support and Education (CASE) Recon Furniture, Canberra Ex-Government Furniture, Canberra Atlantis Relocations ANU Research School of Social Science ---- Send mail to this list at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Admin requests (subscribe, help etc) to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Other requests/comments to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
