PENGUIN CLUB OF AUSTRALIA

Ms FOX (Bright) (15:43): I rise to speak today about the Penguin Club of Australia, a group previously unknown to me. Last night I was fortunate enough to be invited to a local meeting of the Penguin Club of Glenelg. The Penguin Club is a non-political, non-sectarian women's organisation which seeks to encourage and develop among its members the art of public speaking and competence in chairmanship and meeting procedure, and to foster a love for and correct usage of the English language.

The club was formed in Sydney in 1937, at a time when very few women were active in public life. The club's co-founder Melicent Jean Ellis realised that if women were ever to attain their potential they had to be trained to be confident, concise and convincing speakers, and competent in chairmanship and meeting procedure. The concept of a non-political club for women speakers is, I believe, as important today as it was at the time of the club's inception.

Notable club members include Mary Tenison Woods, the first woman to graduate in law in South Australia and to be admitted to the bar in 1917, the famous soprano Gertrude Johnson and the prominent Australian Margaret Whitlam.

The club was established in South Australia in 1947 and has since helped thousands of women to attain confidence and communication skills. As a result, many have been able to join or, importantly, return to the workforce and serve in all fields of government and professional organisations as well as areas of community interest. The Penguin Club also organises the annual national oratory competition, the Plain English Speaking Award.

I was struck by the diverse range of women present at last night's meeting in Glenelg. Many were retired, some were working and others were not. For some women, attending the Penguin Club is a way to use their considerable public speaking skills in challenging situations and, for others, it is a valuable learning tool. For some, it is the continued friendship and support of the group that brings them back time after time.

Some might ask why in this day and age anyone requires a group encouraging better communication skills. I think that, especially in this place, we know that good communication skills not only make our professional and personal lives easier to manage but also lead to increased self-confidence and personal development. At the Penguin Club women meet in a friendly environment and participate in small groups throughout the metropolitan and country areas, regularly practising through speaking assignments and leading meetings. They receive constructive feedback from qualified evaluators. They participate in workshops and, most importantly, they enjoy support and encouragement from other members.

I would urge members of the house who have not visited the Penguin Club before to do so. If anyone knows a young woman—or, indeed, an older woman—who might consider joining the club, there are 13 clubs in South Australia, and I am sure they would be delighted to meet any prospective new members. I would like to thank members of the Glenelg group for inviting me to their meeting at Partridge House last night. It was most interesting, it was eye opening, and I was very impressed by what they were doing.