2008 Women’s Conference – Building for our Future

2008 Women’s Conference – Building for our Future

The ASU held their Women’s Conference – titled Building for our Future – at the Jasper Hotel in Melbourne’s central on May 28, and it proved to be the most successful yet after a wonderful turnout.

After ASU Branch Vice President Mary Hollindale welcomed women members and delegates to the meeting, best-selling author, journalist and speaker on political and social issues Anne Summers addressed the audience on how women’s rights stalled under the 11-year reign of the Howard government.

“When I last spoke to you at an ASU women’s conference, we were still deeply entrenched in the Howard years. In November 2003, I had published a book called The End of Equality which tried to put into perspective where we are at with the women’s revolution and which argued that the Howard years had seen women’s rights and opportunities in this country stalled or even reversed,” said Anne, who stressed that the time is now to make a stand.

“We know that women still are treated unequally in employment, both with the jobs they get (or, more accurately, don’t get) and the remuneration they receive. Women still receive on average around $300 a week less than men, and the situation is getting worse,” she added.

But Anne – who ran the Federal Office of the Status of Women from 1983 to 1986 when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister - believes the record amount of women in senior positions in government will hopefully place women’s rights high on the agenda.

“There are ten women on Kevin Rudd’s front bench – four in Cabinet, three in the outer Ministry and three parliamentary secretaries. Women are 20 per cent of the Cabinet and 23.3 per cent of the total ministry - the highest level ever for an Australian government. The importance of women being at the table cannot be overstated. We now have a woman as deputy Prime Minister for the first time, and we have women in government in charge of Industrial Relations, Employment, Education, Health, Social Inclusion, Families, Community Services, Housing, Indigenous Affairs, Sport, Ageing, Climate Change and Water,” Anne added.

ASU women also had their chance to voice their opinions on how they could build for their future through workshops and discussions throughout the day, which also proved to be a popular part of the day.

For the second consecutive year, the annual ASU Women’s Tile Award was given to two women. Last year’s recipients Josie Ackerman and Merri Blair announced that this year’s winners were Yarra City Council worker Magi Marcon and Mount Waverley Librarian Lillian O’Connor.

Magi – an ASU delegate since 2003 - has fought passionately in EBA meetings, and has been described as the 'lion heart' among the Yarra City Council workers. One to champion every reasonable cause, Magi was modest in accepting her award.

“I am a bit stunned to be honest. Every delegate depends on his/her members at an organisation, and the members at Yarra City Council are second to none. They support me and I know that when I go into a meeting with management, the members are behind me, which makes me feel very strong. Thank you to those who support me on a daily basis, and of course to the ASU and our local organiser Leanne Sumpter,” said Magi.

Fellow Tile Award winner Lillian O’Connor – a delegate since the late 1980s and known for her excellent recruiting skills – announced that unionism was something that was instilled into her at an early age.

“I once asked my dad why he came to Australia. He told me that when he was out looking for work in Ireland, there used to be signs on the window that said ‘apply within, Catholics need not apply.’ He said to me that he wanted his children to have a fair go, so here we are in Australia. My whole family have always been involved in unions. I still believe that everybody should receive a fair go, so it why I am so passionate about the union,” said Lillian, who thanked the ASU after her win.

“I’d like to thank the ASU for all the free and valuable training over the years. I walk into a meeting with management today and can look them straight in the eye. Today is not about women just being in the ASU, it’s about women being in unions and standing beside men in unions and getting an equal go.”

Life membership was also awarded to Sue Ophel. Sue – who also worked in Local Government at Yarra City Council - retired from the SACS industry earlier this year and was an active ASU membership for over 20 years.

ASU Branch President Wendy Phillips praised Sue for her tireless work with the union.

“Sue was keen to pursue better long service leave for members, some of which now look closer to happening. We thank Sue for her efforts in looking after the interests of members. It’s people like Sue that make a difference,” said Wendy.

Sue was surprised by her initiation into life membership within the ASU.

“I’m really overwhelmed by this. The ASU has always been there for us and I’d like thank everybody for their support over the years.”

ASU assistant Secretary Lisa Darmanin ended the day by alerting the crowd to recently launched sister-to-sister program, a mentoring program encouraging leadership of women in the union movement by matching experienced female union members and delegates with those less experienced in varied workplaces.

A large crowd attended ASU's 2008 Women's Conference, held at the Jasper Hotel.