National Council of Women of NSW

NEWSLETTER

July 2017 No 251 PATRON

Mrs Linda Hurley

Wife of the Governor of NSW, His

Excellency General the Honourable

David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d)

NCW NSW Inc. is affiliated with the

National Council of Women

Australia Inc., and the International

Council of Women

CONTACT DETAILS

LG Letterbox 3

280 Pitt Street

SYDNEY NSW 2000

T +61 2 9269 0433

F +61 2 9269 0466

E info@ncwnsw.org.au

www.ncwnsw.org.au

* Report on NCWA Mid-term Confer-

ence, 14-16 June 2017

2

*Notice of AGM 29 September 2017

3

* Proxy Form for AGM

4

* Call for Nominations Form 5

* ACCAN Planning Workshop report

* Become a Broadband Monitor

* A New Children’s Guardian for NSW

6

* Attendance Form Presentation Dame

Marie Bashir Peace Awards

* Photos Young Women Reps at

Conference

7

* Dates for your Diary

8

ENCLOSED:

* Renewal of Membership Form —

NB: Memberships due on 1 July.

* Foundation Day Lunch Booking

Form

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

From Vice-Presidents,

Cassandra Allan and Sally Fennell

We are looking forward to our Founda-

tion Day Luncheon on Wednesday, 9

August, which will be held at Cello's Res-

taurant, Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, 169

Castlereagh Street, Sydney. This is al-

ways a wonderful opportunity for our

members to get together and applaud

those individuals who are presented with

certificates recognising their commitment

to the common goal of working to ad-

vance the status of women and chil-

dren. These women display the diversity

of their dedication to that goal and pro-

vide an example of the many different

ways a goal can be reached. Each

awardee exhibits the strong characteris-

tics of NCW NSW's founding leaders.

Please ring the NCW NSW office on

9269 0433 as soon as possible to en-

quire about possible spaces to attend.

The judging of the nominations for the

NCW NSW Dame Marie Bashir Peace

Awards is in its final stages. The quality

of the candidates is impressive. We

should be proud of how successfully our

NSW education system encourages our

students to care for others and develop a

sense of social justice. If you would like

to attend the presentation of the awards

by Dame Marie herself, please see the

form on p.7.

This newsletter contains an interesting

and detailed report on the recent mid-

term conference of the NCWA where a

sub-committee for young women was

launched.

Remember, that you can always catch up

on what's happening by visiting our web-

site: ncwnsw.org.au or our Facebook

page: National Council of Women of

NSW@NCWomenNewSouthWales Don't

forget to 'like' and 'share' our posts – it

helps to get our message out there!

As our President, Tricia Graham and her

husband are holidaying on the high seas,

Sally and I are standing in for her, and

look forward to seeing you at the Foun-

dation Day Luncheon.

Cassandra and Sally

DON’T FORGET

THERE IS A DAYTIME OPPORTUNITY

FOR YOU TO MEET AND TALK

TO NCW FRIENDS AT THE

MEMBERS & FRIENDS OF NCW MORNING TEA

10.15 - 11.30 am Wesley Upper Room Cafeteria, Wesley Centre, next to Piccadilly Arcade NEXT DATES: Wednesday 16 August Wednesday 20 September

Come along for warm friendship and to hear the latest news of NCW NSW.

Sheila Turnbull Individual Members’ Representative

2017 HONOURS LIST

Congratulations

Australia Day Honours 2017

Nola Joan Barkl AM — for significant service to the com-

munity, particularly through executive and voluntary roles

with a range of women’s organisations.

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017

May Hu OAM (NCWV) — for service to the broadcast

media, to women, and to the multicultural community of

Victoria.

Noela Jean O’Donnell AM (NCWQ) — for significant ser-

vice to women in rural and regional areas of Queensland,

to medical research fundraising, and to the community.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE

NCWA MID-TERM CONFERENCE

Held in Canberra 14-16 June, 2017, the Conference had three major parts:

1 Half-day Workshop open only to Young Women representatives, followed by a Dinner to in-clude Presidents of Constituent Councils and, the following morning, Breakfast open to the public to launch the National Council of Young Women of Australia.

2 Two half-day Business Sessions for NCWA Constituent Council Delegates to look at structure and to vote on Resolutions.

3 One and a half days of Sessions open to the public with speakers on Vulnerability of Older Women--focus on poverty and homelessness; and Vulnerability of Younger Women--Violence Against Women.

A Conference Dinner open to the public was held on Day 2 at which there were two speakers: Senator Jane Hume, Senator for Victoria; and Sharon Claydon MP, Member for Newcastle. The main venue was Rydges Capital Hill, Canberra, other nearby venues being used for Dinner with the Young Women and their State Presidents and also for one of the Business Sessions for NCWA Constituent Council Delegates. Parliament House was the venue for the Breakfast. Part 1 -- The launch of the young women’s sub-committee, National Council of Young Women of Australia (NCYWA), women between the ages of 18 and 35, would have to be considered very successful. The Young Women were admired by political leaders including Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women; heard addresses from prominent people with great influence in the community; met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after the Breakfast; and were included later in the welcome to Delegates by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret’d), deputising for his wife, Lady Cosgrove, Patron of NCWA, who was indisposed. At the Breakfast, two Young Women, Caitlin Figueiredo and Jessica Perry, spoke impressively about “Our Future”. Each State had two Young Women representatives, the two from NSW being Madeleine Banister (who is our Adviser for Human Rights) and Lauren Harvey. (Photos on p.7).

Part 2 -- At one of the Business Sessions, after an introduction from NCWA President Barbara Baikie, there were three segments: ➢ An Advisers Workshop was conducted by Margaret Findlater-Smith who led discussion on a previously

circulated ‘Pathway Plan’ for Advisers relative to suggestions about combining portfolios and altering the current system regarding Advisers. The consensus was to leave portfolios as designated (since they come from the International Council of Women) but to use discrimination in filling them; and to keep the status quo for State Advisers.

➢ Advocacy Training with helpful direction from Dr Wendy Abigail. ➢ Strategic Plan discussion led by Brigid Hardy of Interaction Consulting who extracted many suggestions

from the group. At the second of the Business Sessions, voting took place on the Resolutions circulated prior to the Confer-ence. Of the 14 Resolutions originally distributed, five were withdrawn or deferred, three were passed unani-mously and six by a majority vote. Part 3 -- Over the one and a half days of Sessions open to the public, there were 13 speakers, the sessions ably conducted by MC Catherine McGrath, an experienced international affairs analyst and political commenta-tor, who gave excellent summaries of their talks when she led panel discussions, one of which brought in two additional people, Nathan Costigan and Emma Husar MP. The speakers were: Penny Leemhuis, Susan McGrath, Anusha Goonetilleke, Maree Crabbe, Prof Margaret Alston OAM, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Kate Jenkins, Libby Lyons, Ken Morrison, The Hon Linda Bur-ney MP, Sonia Irwin, Marian Sawer, Lin Hatfield Dodds. All addresses were worthwhile, mostly highlighting the usual issues, but Maree Crabbe’s was particularly pow-erful and insightful, claiming that pornography has distorted the normal attitude to women by suggesting that Violence Against Women is OK, it is sexy. Additionally, Maree pointed out that pornography is seen by youth as being the guide to follow to have satisfying sexual encounters. Males and females believe that what they see pornographically is what each is to expect of the other. It is thought that this has led to an increase of Violence Against Women and the reluctance of women not to enter into the behavior as shown. Congratulations are due to President Barbara and the Conference organisers for putting together three days containing a packed program which produced good discussions on the focus issues. There was a lot to digest which might well be assisted by the video taken of all sessions. A conference app was organized and would have been a useful tool for people with IT skills. Many delegates would have liked more opportunities of consolidating relationships with their counterparts in other States. Perhaps the next conference will provide such opportunities.

Nola Barkl Delegate for NCW NSW

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

President Tricia Graham and Executive Committee members of

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF NSW INC.

invite Presidents and Delegates of Affiliated Organisations and Individual Members

to attend the

121st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

commencing at 4.30 pm

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2017

Level 1, SMSA, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney

GUEST SPEAKER, ANNIE KIEFER

Immediate Past State Secretary Country Women’s Association NSW

(Refreshments served following the meeting and prior to the Guest Speaker)

BUSINESS

1 To confirm Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 29 September 2016.

2 To receive and consider the Annual Report which contains annual reports from the Executive Com-

mittee on the activities of the Council during the preceding financial year, including the Hon.

Treasurer’s Report and Financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2017.

3 To receive and consider the financial statement which is required under Section 26(6) of the Asso-

ciations Incorporation Act.

4 To elect Office Bearers of the Council for the ensuing year in accordance with Rules and By-Laws

of the Constitution as adopted 24 September 1998 and amended 29 September 2004 and 21 June

2010: President; Vice-Presidents (2); Honorary Secretary; Honorary Treasurer; Delegates repre-

senting the Affiliated Organisations (12); Individual Members’ Representative; State Coordinator

of Standing Committees.

5 To appoint (i) Public Officer (if required) and (ii) Honorary Auditor.

6 To receive names to fill positions of Recording Secretary and Honorary Editor, for appointment by

the Executive Committee.

7 To receive names for positions of Advisers, for appointment by the Executive Committee.

8 Any other business that may be transacted at an Annual General Meeting.

(Proxy Form overleaf)

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF NSW INC.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday 28 September 2017

PROXIES

Financial Individual Members, Honorary Life Members, Life Members and Delegates of financial

Affiliated Organisations may appoint proxies to attend and vote in their stead at the Annual General

Meeting on Thursday 28 September 2017.

Kindly use the Proxy Form below.

PROXY FORM

I, ______________________________________________________________, being an

*Individual Member and/ or *Delegate (circle as appropriate) of

(Name of Organisation – if applicable)__________________________________________

hereby appoint ___________________________________________________as my proxy

at the Annual General Meeting of the National Council of Women of NSW Inc. to be held

on Thursday 28 September 2017

___________________________________ ________________________________

(Signature of Delegate/Individual Member) (Signature of proxy)

ALL PROXIES MUST BE RETURNED BY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017

TO: Returning Officer

National Council of Women of NSW Inc.

LG Letterbox 3

280 Pitt Street

SYDNEY NSW 2000

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF NSW INC.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE POSITIONS

2017-2018

At the 121st Annual General Meeting of NCW NSW Inc. to be held on Thursday, 28 September 2017, all Execu-

tive positions become vacant in accordance with the Rules and Bylaws as amended.

NOMINATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE POSITIONS SHOULD BE RECEIVED BEFORE 17 AUGUST 2017 to allow

the dissemination of this information to members before the AGM.

To nominate for any of the following positions, kindly complete and forward the form below.

PRESIDENT

VICE-PRESIDENTS (2)

HON. SECRETARY HON. TREASURER DELEGATES (12) – each representing a different organisation and nominated and seconded by that organisation INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIVE STATE CO-ORDINATOR OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Nominees, their nominators and seconders must be financial members (Membership Form attached/enclosed)

Forward Nomination Form by 17 August 2017 to:-

The Returning Officer

National Council of Women of NSW Inc. LG Letterbox 3 280 Pitt Street,

Sydney NSW 2000

Cut Here

NOMINATION FORM FOR NCW NSW INC. EXECUTIVE POSITIONS IN 2017-2018 We hereby nominate _____________________________________________________ for the position of _______________________________________________________

Nominated by ____________________________________________

Seconded by _____________________________________________ I hereby consent to this nomination SIGNED ____________________________ DATE ____________________ I attach a brief bio-data for dissemination to members prior to the Annual General Meeting

A Media Release on 1 June 2017 from the Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward, an-nounced the appointment of JANET SCHORER as the new Children’s Guardian for NSW. Ms Schorer follows Kerryn Boland who will retire from the job after 12 years and who was commended for her tire-less service to the people of NSW. Ms Schorer will commence her position at the Office of the Children’s Guardian on July 11. She has been the Executive Director of the NDIS Reform Group for the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet since November 2014 and has led the Commonwealth negotiations and NSW transition to the NDIS across Gov-ernment. Her work has also been as the Executive Director in Communities and Social Investment for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she assumed leadership for a suite of reforms to improve responses in Aboriginal communities. Ms Schorer was also responsible for developing the whole of government strategic framework for the re-sponse to the Royal Commission into Institutional Re-sponses to Child Sexual Abuse. Prior to joining DPC, Ms Schorer worked in a number of senior roles at the Department of Family and Community Services. Her early career was as a nurse working at The Children’s Hospital Westmead. Ms Goward said “Janet brings a wealth of experience in implementing significant Government reform to her new role as the NSW Children’s Guardian”. NCW NSW welcomes Janet Schorer to this important job to protect the interests and rights of children.

REPORT — MEMBER STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP

Tuesday 6th June 2017, Sydney

At this workshop the first steps towards framing ACCAN's Strategic

Plan 2017 – 2022 were taken. Participants were invited to focus on

the motivation of this body, in order to come up with a purpose

statement. After coming up with key phrases for ACCAN's exist-

ence, the focus shifted to considering the Network's vision. Later in

the day discussion became more specific with consideration of

where ACCAN should focus in the future.

In attendance were Members, Staff and Board Members of ACCAN.

After an introduction by Teresa Corbin, ACCAN CEO, in which she

walked us through the Consumers International Background

Digital Report, the 30 participants discussed ACCAN's achieve-

ments. Various attendees identified these as becoming a cohesive,

coherent voice over the past 10 years and remaining engaged

through the various changes of government, a close involvement

with consumers in rural areas, prescience of ACCAN regarding the

NBN, campaigns around captioning and ensuring 1800 numbers are

free for the financially vulnerable and ACCAN's remaining proactive.

A perceived risk for ACCAN is that with the plethora of means of

communication and blurring of divide between means of communi-

cation and content, the organisation may be spread too thinly.

In order to build a statement of purpose and agree on a vision for

ACCAN it was necessary to consider the expectations of various

stakeholders: the board, members, industry, government, and staff

of the organisation. After these ideas were distilled, it was agreed

that the wording in the current strategic plan still holds true and that

we should have trustworthy communication services that are safe,

inclusive and available for all Australians. ACCAN's role is to ensure

communication services are accessible, affordable and available

and should engage in advocacy for terms and conditions that indi-

vidual consumers cannot negotiate, and should ensure that there is

fairness and that services are fit for purpose and flexible.

At the end of the day, the most important focus areas relating to

communications in Australia, as identified by those present were:

• access and inclusion

• regulatory framework

• security and safety

• data protection and privacy online

• digital education and awareness.

Various specific suggestions were made relating to these areas and

the board of ACCAN will consider these in developing the strategic

plan for 2017 – 2022.

Cassandra Allan, VP, National Council of Women of NSW

Representing NCWA

As more and more consumers are being connected to

the NBN, a number of people are unhappy with the

failure of their providers to deliver the internet speeds

that are promised. Real data is needed.

Soon Australian consumers will have not one, but

TWO broadband monitoring programs! This is great

news for consumers.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER FOR THESE PROGRAMS

TODAY.

Sign up for ACCC Broadband monitoring here:

http://ow.ly/yfUB30dqvuZ

Sign up for CHOICE broadband monitoring here:

http://ow.ly/IRZq30dqvv9

Australian Communications Consumer Action Network

(ACCAN)

BECOME A BROADBAND MONITOR!

A NEW CHILDREN’S GUARDIAN FOR NSW

ATTENDANCE FORM

NCW NSW’s DAME MARIE BASHIR PEACE AWARDS 2017

PRESENTATION CEREMONY

To be held in the Strangers’ Lounge, Parliament House, Sydney,

Monday 25 September 2017

Commencing at 2.30 pm

Awards will be presented by Professor the Hon Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO

Please reserve .....................places for the Presentation Ceremony @ $30.00 pp

(Note: Bookings are limited and will close Monday 28 August 2017)

I enclose payment in the amount of ......................................

by cheque to National Council of Women NSW

LG Letterbox 3, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

OR by EFT to CBA BSB 062001 Account No. 0090 1811 NCW NSW

With reference: DMBPA and your name (so that we can identify your booking)

Contact Person ........................................................Phone Number ...........................................

Names of attendees covered by this cheque: (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Introducing the Young Women representatives

attending the Mid-term Conference

A selfie with the PM

makes everyone happy

NSW Young Women

Madeleine Banister (back left) and

Lauren Harvey (front left)

DATES FOR YOUR 2017 DIARY

Thursday 27 July Council Meeting, Level 1, SMSA 280 Pitt Street 4.30 pm

Guest Speaker at 6 pm — Annette Turner, State President CWA of NSW

“The REAL Outback”

Wednesday 9 August Foundation Day Luncheon, 12 noon for 12.30 pm

Cello’s Restaurant, Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

Guest Speaker: Kim Boettcher, Solicitor for Seniors Rights Service

NCW NSW Recognition Awards 2017 presented

Enquiries for possible spaces to attend — Phone 9269 0433

Wednesday 16 August Members & Friends of NCW Morning Tea, 10.15-11.30 am

Venue: Upper Room Cafe, Wesley Centre, Pitt Street

Wednesday 16 August Executive Meeting, LG Level, SMSA, 280 Pit Street 12-2 pm

Thursday 31 August Council Meeting, Level 1, SMSA 280 Pitt Street 4.30 pm

Guest Speaker at 6 pm — TBA

Wednesday 20 September Members & Friends of NCW Morning Tea, 10.15-11.30 am

Venue: Upper Room Cafe, Wesley Centre, Pitt Street

Wednesday 20 September Executive Meeting, LG Level, SMSA, 280 Pit Street 12-2 pm

Monday 25 September Presentation of NCW NSW’s The Dame Marie Bashir Peace Awards

Thursday 28 September 121st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING—NCW NSW

Level 1, SMSA, 280 Pitt Street 4.30 pm—Meeting followed by refreshments

Guest Speaker at 6 pm: Annie Kiefer, Immediate Past State Secretary,

Country Women’s Association NSW

NCW NSW

LG Level Letterbox 3

280 Pitt St

SYDNEY 2000

T 9269 0433

F 9269 0466

E info@ncwnsw.org.au

www.ncwnsw.org.au