ABORIGINAL WOMEN'S GATHERING

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:55): I direct my question to the Minister for the Status of Women. Will the minister provide the council with information on the Office for Women's Engagement with Aboriginal Women, particularly with respect to the Aboriginal Women's Gathering?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for his question. As members may be aware, the Office for Women convenes an annual state Aboriginal Women's Gathering. The three-day event provides a very important forum for Aboriginal women, who travel to Adelaide from across South Australia, many from quite long distances away, to share their experiences and discuss issues within their communities and to meet and network with other Aboriginal women from across the state.

The 2010 state Aboriginal Women's Gathering will take place at The Shores Function Centre, West Beach, from 3 to 5 November. The agenda will include discussions on the outcome of the 2009 gathering and, importantly, the establishment of the National Congress of Australia's First People and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance. There will also be small group discussions between delegates and chief executives from across different agencies.

Governance is the theme for this year's gathering, because good governance is central to the operation of a thriving community. It goes beyond just government and formal institutions to the importance of leadership, political dynamics and informal institutions in our communities. Governance and leadership, particularly women's leadership, is something for which I know that members would share my passion.

Too many women go unrecognised for the work they undertake in both paid and volunteer capacities. There are many people, both men and women, doing great things for their communities and it is important that women's contributions are equally acknowledged and rewarded. I am sure that this year's gathering will be a great success and provide Aboriginal women with important opportunities to come together and share knowledge and experiences while gaining information about future directions within the state and nationally.

Members would be interested to know that the gathering was held last October at The Shores Function Centre, West Beach. Over 65 women attended, and leadership was the theme. During the gathering, guest speakers shared their leadership journeys with the group. The overall message focused on encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to make that leap into leadership and to learn from and walk alongside the current leaders within their communities.

The Office for Women works with and receives guidance and support from the gathering executive group and the South Australian representatives to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Gathering (NATSIWG). I acknowledge the time and effort these women put into making the 2009 state gathering the success that it was. With this year focusing on the importance of governance, building on the discussions on leadership from last year, I hope that all delegates attending the gathering will find it a memorable experience.