WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (12:55): I move:

That on the 125^th anniversary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, this house—

(a) recognises the South Australian branch's work from the early days of settlement in this state, its work on women's enfranchisement and personal safety; and

(b) commends its continuing work on exposing the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.

I am reintroducing this motion, which was first moved on 5 May 2011, because I want to give members again the opportunity to remark on this. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874. It is the oldest continuing non-sectarian women's organisation in the world. Here in Adelaide, for more than 125 years, the organisation has trained women to think on their feet, speak in public and run an organisation.

I will not again put on the record all the remarks I made that day, but I do want to give members the opportunity to speak to the motion and, again, hopefully have it passed, especially as we have recently welcomed two new women members into this chamber, who now work with us under the tapestry on the opposite wall, featuring the faces of Catherine Helen Spence, Mary Lee and Elizabeth Webb Nicholls.

As a councillor of the Women's Suffrage League, through the WCTU, Elizabeth Webb Nicholls helped to gather 8,268 of the 11,600 signatures for the 1894 suffrage petition to parliament. Before the first election in which women voted, which was in 1896, she prepared the 'Platform of Principles' and noted:

They were not like women who lived in a harem, they were going to decide for themselves and not follow any one party blindfolded.

Her deeds and achievements were truly remarkable.

The message of the WCTU remains as relevant today as ever. The dedicated women of the group became active to change their community to make it a better and safer place for all. The lesson we learn from their history and commitment is that we can change laws and circumstances and become active in working for change. This is the lesson and the continuing legacy of the WCTU. I commend the motion and the group, which is still active organising on our behalf today.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Griffiths.