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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-09-11 Daily Xml
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WOMEN'S INFORMATION SERVICE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: This year, the iconic Women's Information Service in South Australia is having a significant anniversary. Over the past 30 years, this service has been recognised as providing valuable information to women on a range of services. Will the minister advise the council about the work being done by the Women's Information Service to build the skills of women in South Australia?

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 Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:29): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in this policy area. The Women's Information Service is a key agency for the provision of high-quality information, referral advice and support for the women of South Australia. In addition, it strives to empower women to assist them to develop skills and competencies in a variety of areas. The Women's Information Service outreach program actively engages with women in children's centres located across Adelaide and country South Australia. This is a strong example of the broad reach of this service.

As part of the commitment to assist and support women in these settings, the Women's Information Service facilitated a series of first aid training sessions at several centres in Adelaide. The first aid training provided the mothers of children between zero and eight years of age with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately and immediately to their children and other injured people.

Continuing to develop the skills of women is a key focus of the Women's Information Service. The Office for Women has begun a program of resumé writing workshops for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. These workshops assist women to document their skills and achievements, with the intention that a professional resumé will enhance employment opportunities, as well as enable Aboriginal women to submit applications for a range of things, including joining boards, committees and such like.

WIS community information officers have also participated in a two-day community education visit to Ceduna with members of staff from the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. As the Minister for the Status of Women and the Minister for Consumer Affairs, I am pleased that a collaborative working relationship has been established between WIS outreach workers and members of staff from the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs.

A number of product safety information sessions have been held at several children's centres across the metropolitan region. These sessions provided information on purchasing products appropriate for children, as well as appropriate action to take if they recognise goods that are faulty or unsafe.

Another important skill development project currently run through the Women's Information Service is the English conversation group. This began last year and is organised and facilitated by a longstanding volunteer at the Women's Information Service. The group was originally set up to assist women who may be isolated and lonely due to language barriers. Women are able to practise their English language skills, receive information on services and agencies able to assist them, and to also undertake occasional field trips to places such as the Central Market.

The English conversation group is another outstanding example of the significant contribution made by volunteers at the Women's Information Service, and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the important role they play in delivering important and practical programs for the women of South Australia.

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