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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-08 Daily Xml
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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about International Women's Day.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: During the last sitting week, the minister outlined some of the upcoming International Women's Day events. This is a day on which we can celebrate the achievements of women. Will the minister provide more information about the recognition of South Australian women on this important day?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for her most important question. Indeed, today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day and this momentous occasion is being celebrated across South Australia throughout the week. Members will recall that I recently provided information about some of the events taking place. This morning, I was very pleased to once again attend the annual International Women's Day breakfast, hosted by the wonderful Penny Wong. The Hon. Michelle Lensink was also present.

The Hon. T.A. Franks interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: What an absolutely churlish interjection that was by the Hon. Tammy Franks. What a churlish interjection. On a day like this, one would think that you would have more to celebrate. I said 'hosted'; it was hosted by the wonderful Penny Wong. I did not say it was a Penny Wong breakfast. I said it was hosted by Penny Wong. What a churlish, childish, petty interjection. I thought more highly of the honourable member. On a day like today, which is supposed to unite women, it is a very disappointing interjection.

The guest speaker was Professor Tanya Monro from the University of Adelaide. Along with affiliate Professor Angel Lopez, also from that particular university, Professor Monro was awarded the 2010 South Australian Scientist of the Year. Professor Monro is the Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing and Director of the Centre of Expertise in Photonics within the School of Chemistry and Physics at the university.

Professor Monro is also a member of the South Australian Premier's Science and Research Council and she regularly serves on a range of committees for the Australian Research Council and other key national bodies in the area of science policy and the evaluation of science. She gave a marvellous address this morning, really very interesting and truly inspirational. It is such a difficult topic, too, but she did a great job with it. It is very pleasing to see that a woman is being recognised in a male-dominated field such as this and, as you know, Mr President, the South Australian government is working towards ensuring more women are given the opportunity to pursue careers in non-traditional industries through its Women at Work initiative.

Later this week, I have other important events to attend. Tomorrow, I will be attending the International Women's Day luncheon and on Thursday afternoon there will also be a women's rally. Tomorrow's luncheon will be held from 12pm at the Adelaide Convention Centre and is run by the International Women's Day Committee, which was formed in 1938. Each year, a number of awards are presented at the lunch. These awards celebrate the achievements that women make to our community and they include:

Irene Bell Centenary Award and the 2011 community awards;

Gladys Elphick Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women;

Irene Krastev Centenary Award and the 2011 Award for Migrant Women; and

Barbara Polkinghorne Award to a woman writer.

I will be speaking at the lunch and it gives me great pleasure to announce that I will be opening the call for nominations to the 2011 South Australian Women's Honour Roll at the IWD luncheon tomorrow.

As members no doubt recall, the Women's Honour Roll is an important way of recognising the work that women do in our communities. This year, I am delighted to announce that the roll will focus on recognising women who have not previously been acknowledged and who have made an impact at a local, national or international level. Nominations for the roll will close on 3 June.

I am also pleased that outstanding nominees for this year's honour roll will be nominated for national honours. I believe the diversity of the women who have been nominated for the South Australian Women's Honour Roll in previous years provides an amazing snapshot of women in our community and that more women obviously need to be acknowledged nationally. From promoting the rights of workers to discovering the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the common thread between all of these nominees is that they have made amazing contributions but have also been instrumental in supporting others to be successful.

On Thursday, to coincide with International Women's Day, the newly formed National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance will also honour 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have achieved change over the past 100 years. I am very proud that eight extraordinary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have been selected to represent South Australia on that poster that will be launched at Thursday's rally, and they include Isabel Norvil, Josephine Coulthard, Lowitja O'Donohue, Nelly Patterson, Neva Wilson, Ruby Hammond, Shirley Peisley and Winnie Branson. Of course, Ruby and Winnie are both deceased.

Many of these eight women were involved in the 1967 referendum campaign that resulted in Aboriginal people finally obtaining the right to vote in Australia. It is wonderful to see them formally acknowledged in that particular way and I am sure members will agree with me that this 100th anniversary is a very significant milestone in continuing the quest for female equality and advancement, and it is very timely that we focus on the achievements of South Australian women.

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