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March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD). Around the world IWD marks a celebration of the acheivements of women.
IWD provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of women, and the legacy left by earlier generations.
The day is also an occasion to inspire commitment to the future challenges that women face in making further progress.
In the ACT, part of the IWD celebrations include the ACT International Women's Day Awards. The Awards are presented by the Minister for Women.
There are two Award categories:
THE MINISTER FOR WOMEN , MS KATY GALLAGHER MLA HAS OPENED NOMINATIONS FOR 2008 INTERNATIONAL DAY AWARDS.
Nomination Open: Friday 4 January 2008
Nomination Close: Friday 8 February 2008 (CLOSED)
MINISTER FOR WOMEN ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE 2007 ACT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AWARDS
On Thursday 8 March, Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher MLA recognised a number of outstanding ACT women at the 2007 ACT International Women’s Day Awards presentation ceremony.
The event was a huge success, with over 150 people from across government, women’s organisations and community groups in attendance. The room was filled with a great atmosphere, as the awards were presented in three categories.
The Women’s Award category recognised women whose achievements and contributions have made a positive difference, the Community Award category recognised individuals and organisations that have worked to improve the quality of life for women in the ACT and the Women in Engineering category recognised individuals or organisations that have significantly contributed in the engineering field in the ACT community
“The recipients of this year’s Awards have made significant contributions in a diverse range of fields, including services to women and children in crisis, services to multicultural arts, the cleaning industry and the ACT community in general.
Thanks must be given to the Office fro Women for organising such a wonderful event, for the ANU School of Music and a Chorus of Women for providing great entertainment.
The recipients of the 2007 Awards are:
Women’s Award
Anne’s
Legacy
Anne’s Legacy is a program developed by three friends after the
death of their dear friend Anne from cancer in 2004. The program involves
the knitting and presentation of patchwork quilts to child patients
in the Paediatric wards of the Canberra Hospital. The three women have
donated their own time and materials to this initiative. On November
30 last year, the women presented 100 quilts worth in excess of $20
000 to the Canberra Hospital.
Ms
Marija Cupac, Ms Lena Sukloska and Ms Christine Wagland
Marija, Lena and Christine all work as cleaners in the ACT and have actively worked as part of a team to improve the working lives of all ACT Cleaners, the majority of whom are cleaners from culturally diverse backgrounds. Their tireless efforts in winning community support, initiating public protest and bringing their issues to the forefront of the media’s attention has ensured the continued success of the “Clean Start a Fair Deal for Cleaners Campaign”
Ms
Noonee Doronila
Noonee is an exceptionally talented woman who inspires others through her dedication to multicultural arts, community cultural development and her support of the ACT multicultural community. As a Filipino-Australian multicultural artist and playwright, Noonee has continuously promoted the values of multicultural arts to the wider Canberran community.
Noonee has also actively been involved in and contributed to the Canberra community, previously as a member of the Domestic Violence Prevention Council and currently as a member of the Performing Arts Advisory Committee and the ACT Cultural Council. She also continues to be closely involved with the Multicultural Women’s Advocacy.
Ms
Diane Kargas
Diane continues to be passionately committed to building social capital in the Canberra community. In her role as Public Trustee, Diane founded the Capital Region Community Foundation, which has since raised funds of $2.5 Million benefiting charitable causes in the ACT region.
Diane’s recent retirement from 26 years working in the ACT community and public sector at the highest levels is to be commended. Her retirement has not ended her commitment to her community, as she continues to volunteer to worthwhile causes.
Ms
Erica Lewis
Erica has tirelessly volunteered in the ACT community, advocating for the rights of women, supporting legislation change as well as facilitating knowledge sharing and opportunities for the advancement of others. Erica’ s contribution in a volunteering capacity and at a local, national and international level to numerous community organisations particularly the YWCA is to be commended.
Dr
Sue Packer
Dr Sue Packer is a Community Paediatrician and the Head of the Child at Risk Assessment Unit at Canberra Hospital. Dr Packer is also an active member in the ACT community, sitting on at least six community organisation boards that work to improve the welfare of children and young people. Through her volunteering roles, Dr Packer strives to strengthen families through educating parents and preventing child abuse. She has constantly been a campaigner for the rights of children.
Community Award:
Women
Tutor volunteers of the ACT Home Tutor Scheme
The women tutor volunteers of the ACT Home Tutor Scheme service the needs of disadvantaged groups in the ACT community, particularly refugees and migrants. The volunteers undergo a 20 hour course in teaching English in order to understand the migrant and refugee experience, gain cross cultural awareness and an understanding of issues for learners with traumatic backgrounds.
The women tutors contribute holistically. The tutors also work on confidence building, encouragement and friendship development. Their commitment makes a broader contribution to the social capital of the ACT community.
Women’s
Legal Centre
The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) provides free direct legal assistance to approximately 1300 individual women each year. WLC also increases information and awareness of legal issues affecting women in the community by providing information sessions on women and the law.
WLC has extensively serviced the needs of disadvantaged women who have been exposed to hardship or trauma, require legal assistance, and don’t have the means or the mechanisms to seek paid legal service.
Women in Engineering Award:
Dr
Margaret Rossiter
Dr Rossiter has achieved successes at the highest level in engineering,
becoming the first female engineer in the Royal Australian Air force.
Dr Rossiter continues to be a strong advocate of women in the engineering
profession and currently lectures at the ANU in the Engineering Department.
Her brilliance in the engineering field and her positive influence and
passion for teaching university students was recognised by the ANU in
2004 when she was rewarded the Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence
in Teaching.
Congratulations to all this year’s Award recipients.
5 remarkable Canberra women were honoured in the 2006 ACT International Women’s Day Awards.
At the Awards Ceremony, the Women's Awards for women who have made outstanding contributions in public life, and the Community Award for individuals, groups and organisations working to progress the status of women in the ACT were presented.
The recipients of the Women’s Awards were:
Janet
Carey
Janet has led the ACT and region SIDS organisation both as the volunteer
President and since 1994 as the paid Chief Executive. During the first 18
months as President, Janet initiated the annual SIDS memorial service for
families to come together; she managed and developed Red Nose Day and other
fundraising activities for the organisation and developed an education program
to reduce the risk of SIDS to health care professionals. She also developed
and increased the services to bereaved families using professional counselling
and trained volunteer peer support. From experiencing her own bereavement
19 years ago, Janet has driven the SIDS and Kids organisation from a tiny
entity, determined to make a difference to bereaved families and the wider
community, to a professional organisation. Under Janet's leadership bereavement
support increased by 1,500%, SIDS deaths were reduced by 90% and the organisation
increased its donations to research by 1,000%.
Top
Marie
Coleman
Marie has made a significant and sustained contribution in advocating for
women over a period of 33 years. Her broad reaching contribution to women
has been in multiple areas including setting up the reproductive women’s
alliance and women’s history month. Marie has had lots of firsts including;
the first woman to head a Commonwealth Government statutory agency. Marie’s
contributions are outstanding both in terms of their quality, the breadth
of her involvement in community issues, their focus on the disadvantaged
and their relevance to significant concerns of Australian society.
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Jane
Smyth
Jane was actively involved in Canberra’s post-fire recovery process,
at a time of great personal and community crisis. She responded positively
and constructively to an urgent need at a time of great personal crisis.
During the bushfire recovery process she actively worked on the project
Playing with Fire: The ACT Bushfire Oral History Project. Jane has worked
actively to raise the profile of women workers in a male-dominated emergency
recovery process. The number of men recognised for their part in the bushfires
has been significantly higher than women.
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Susan
West
Teacher/Lecturer at the ANU School of Music. Over the past nine years Susan
has developed a new approach to music education by implementing two community
outreach programs; one supports primary school teachers in their use of
music in the classroom, and gives them confidence to sing; the second is
the Hand-in-Hand program which emphasises the positive influence of children’s
music in the lives of others in the community, particularly the aged. Under
the supervision of Susan the children make regular visits to aged-care facilities
in Canberra. The children sing with the aim of actively involving the older
people in the musical activity.
The Hand-in-Hand initiative is an interactive experience for children with
the older generation, experiencing music-making in a wholly positive and
relaxed atmosphere where the emphasis is on the shared pleasure of music.
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Diana
Palmer
Diana is an activist for Human Rights and the rights of women, particularly
those with disabilities. Diana lost her sight at the age of 9, which was
complicated by the onset of epilepsy at the age of 19, and severe asthma
in her 20’s. Her belief that no barrier is insurmountable has enabled
her to be at the forefront of actions improving the lives of women in the
ACT. Diana was one of the first blind women to work in the APS, and was
a board member of the ACT Council of Social Services and the ACT Access
and Planning and Advisory Committee. A skilled, enthusiastic lobbyist and
activist, she has not limited her work to matters concerning women with
disabilities, but encompasses the whole gamut of social justice issues.
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Canberra
Rape Crisis Centre
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre celebrated its 30th birthday in 2006. CRCC commenced
in 1976 by a small group of women volunteers committed to raising awareness
of sexual assault and sexual violence against women. The CRCC is a major
contributor to women’s services in the ACT.
It provides a range of services from 24 hour, 7 day a week 365 days of
the year counselling, advocacy, court support, education, training and community
development. It also played a major role in establishing Reclaim the Night
in the ACT and continues this commitment today
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Diana
Abdul-Rahman
Diana has been a mainstay in integrating the Canberra Islamic community
with the wider Canberra community through her work with multicultural, interfaith
and social justice organisations. Her work contributes to harmony in the
Canberra community between people of different beliefs and ethnic backgrounds.
Diana is an active member of various boards and forums, which seek to address
inequalities between different religions and cultures
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Jan
Brown
Jan has contributed greatly to the Arts community in the ACT for over 50
years. She is a nationally significant sculptor, with her work being exhibited
both nationally and internationally. Jan’s most recognised work in
Canberra is the group of Kangaroos by the Nerang pool in Commonwealth Park.
Jan has made a significant contribution with visible results in the architecture
and infrastructure of our town as well as an inspirational influence on
both professional and amateur art practitioners. She has been an artist,
teacher, mentor and arts activist and has served on every major arts advisory
council and arts board in the ACT.
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Professor
Hilary Charlesworth
Professor Charlesworth has championed human rights in Australia and globally
through her extensive academic work of writing and teaching, as well as
leading and participating in UN and community forums for over 25 years.
Her integrity and reputation as a world leader in human rights, especially
in relation to women's rights, was instrumental in gaining public support
for the ACT Bill of Rights, the first of its type in Australia, for which
she was Chair of the Consultative Committee.
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Kim
Davison
Over the past 24 years, Kim has worked to improve the lives of young Indigenous
women and men and their families. Her most significant contribution has
been in assisting those most at risk of homelessness, incarceration and
social disadvantage. Kim has recognised gaps in the community and has worked
hard to build services and programmes for youth, childcare; elder mentoring;
education; and health and recreation programmes.
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Melinda
Mitchell
Melinda has contributed to the community by developing and providing recreational
programs for children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability.
Melinda started work in this field at the age of 13 when she became a volunteer
for the YMCA RAID (Recreational Activities for People with an Intellectual
Disability) program. At the age of 22 Melinda became Community Recreation
Officer with the responsibility of managing this program. She has also volunteered
at the AIS in the motor skilling program, at the Cranleigh School PE department
and at the Koomari School (now Black Mountain School). She is a trained
swimming teacher for people with intellectual disabilities and is involved
with the Special O’s Swimming Team. Melinda is also a team leader
and manager with the ACT Women's ID basketball team.
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Beryl
Women Inc
Beryl Women Inc was established 30 years ago and was the first refuge in
the ACT. It is estimated that more than 3,500 women and their children have
been assisted by Beryl to regain a normal life during times of crisis. The
refuge has not only provided accommodation to women and their children escaping
domestic and family violence over the years; but has greatly enhanced the
quality of life for women by providing practical assistance in the form
of court support, education, health care and other assistance for women.
Beryl’s work is clearly evident in the difference they have made in
the community providing women and children opportunities to increase knowledge,
skills and confidence to manage their lives free of violence.
Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees.
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