Acknowledging and celebrating South Australian women in all their diversity. 2009 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN [women’s honour roll] SOUTH AUSTRALIAN [women’s honour roll] 2009 A message from the Hon Gail Gago MLC Minister for the Status of Women Congratulations to the 100 outstanding women selected for inclusion in the 2009 South Australian Women’s Honour Roll. The Honour Roll acknowledges and celebrates passionate and committed women who have made a positive contribution to the community. The Women’s Honour Roll was one way of achieving this member Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta established in 2008 and I am very recognition. Coober Pedy Senior Aboriginal pleased that in 2009 over 250 Women’s Council, are highlighted Too often, women are silent South Australian women have for their extraordinary contributions achievers, and this year a been nominated - over 100 more to South Australia. concerted effort has been made to than last year. acknowledge women who have The 2009 Women’s Honour Roll It is vital that we find ways to not generally been publicly also pays posthumous tribute to recognise and celebrate the congratulated. women whose legacy remains achievements of women who strong and relevant today. This year, ten nominations have contribute so much to our been identified for special community. I hope that this Honour recognition. This inspiring group of Hon Gail Gago MLC Roll will continue to be just women, which includes the seven Minister for the Status for Women Office for Women acknowledges the Department of the Premier and Cabinet Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division for their support and assistance in providing information on the Elders and Aunties who have passed away. This is by no means a complete list but represents the beginning of a collaboration between the two departments to respectfully acknowledge the enormous contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to our community. 1 2009 honorary acknowledgment Betty Fisher A strong and vocal feminist and advocate for Aboriginal rights and conservation. Betty was International Women's Day Committee president for eight years and has been a member of the Women’s Information Service [formerly the Women’s Information Switchboard] Support Group since its inception in 1978. She served as the first female president of the Conservation Council of SA; received a Flinders University medal for services to women and a 1988 Bicentenary medal; served on the SA State Schools Organisations State Council and was a member of the National Fitness Council of Australia. Betty was also a key witness at the Hindmarsh Island Royal Commission where she produced notes and tape recordings from the 1960s which confirmed ‘secret women's business.’ She is currently writing the biography of Gladys Elphick and the history of the Aboriginal Women’s Council. Betty acknowledged the remarkable achievements of over 2,000 South Australian women in a publication she produced in 2001 in conjunction with the International Women’s Day Committee [SA] Inc. The Women’s Roll of Honour for the 20th Century in South Australia, Volume 1 is an important record of the achievements of some of the remarkable women in our state and represents Betty’s ongoing work to publicly acknowledge the role of women in our community. Betty’s mantra remains strong today: “In the name of peace we did what we could … and in the name of peace could the young people in our community please continue on this path.” 2 2009 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 2009 honour roll: [women’s honour roll] 10 outstanding nominees Josie Agius [Auntie Josie] Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta Khadija Gbla Outstanding Kaurna Elder and positive Coober Pedy Senior Passionate and inspiring young African role model in the Aboriginal Aboriginal Women’s Council woman displaying courage and community. One of the first Aboriginal determination in assisting women, health workers in Adelaide in the Emily Austin, Eileen Brown, youth and minority groups to have a 1980s, part of a team who set the Eileen Crombie, Martha voice at a local and state level. cultural context for how hospitals and Contribution to the community in community health services respond to Edwards, Ivy Stewart, Eileen creating and raising awareness about Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Wingfield, Angelina Wonga multiculturalism, mental health and Education worker for eight years at issues affecting young women. Seven women instrumental in the Taperoo Primary School and assisted Member of the Federal Government establishment of the Irati Wanti many young Aboriginal people to Initiative Steering Committee for the Campaign that successfully stopped develop their self esteem and cultural Australian Youth Forum. the dumping of radioactive nuclear pride through her ongoing work at waste in the South Australian outback, Kurruru Indigenous Performing Arts. a landmark event in South Australia’s Nora Phippen Fiercely independent and a pillar of history. They hold positions of seniority strength in the Aboriginal community Commitment over 40 years raising a in terms of Aboriginal traditional law and committed to sharing cultural core group of profoundly disabled and culture pertaining to their region. knowledge with non-Aboriginal people. children to adulthood. Cared for “We are the women who are fighting to hundreds of infants, children and youth keep the culture going. We’ve been in family crisis, from emergency Marjorie Bateson teaching the younger women and the placement, short-term and long-term Outstanding service in the community women that were taken away, teaching arrangements. Advocated for children sector for 18 years as a representative the people that lost the culture.” with disabilities to reach their in the Liquor Trades Union and the Ongoing work with the Umoona Aged maximum potential. Given countless Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Care Service at Coober Pedy and children, many with a disability, a Union whilst working at Holden pivotal in bringing about the genuinely loving family home Elizabeth. Involved at a state level in development of Tjamuku Kamiku Ara upbringing and a future. the transfer of the Liquor Trades Union Nintitjaku [Grandparents knowledge] into partnership with the Federated Program. Miscellaneous Union. Actively involved in the Country Women's Association, Garden Club, Salvation Army and Neighbourhood Watch in the northern region of Adelaide. 3 Diana Sautelle Dr Lesley Shorne Janette [Jan] Stirling OA Pro-active in developing projects and Outstanding women’s health Contribution to women’s basketball as events that build bridges between practitioner for over 25 years with a a coach, player and mentor. Significant communities and positive engagement deep commitment to making public role in promotion of professional with Aboriginal and Torres Strait health and health promotion work for development in the sport sector and Islander people. Founder, manager South Australian women. Senior raising the profile of women’s sport. and music director of the Medical Officer at Yarrow Place Rape Accomplished and respected coach Adnyamathanha Women’s Choir in and Sexual Assault Service and Cervix for over 20 years and winner of four 1996, worked intensively with women Screening SA. Tireless advocate for Women’s National Basketball League to reconstruct Dreaming songs from women, especially those Championships with Adelaide their childhoods. Tireless work in disadvantaged by class, race or socio- Lightning. Coached Opals to a Gold celebrating humanity, culture and economic circumstances. Forensic Medal at the 2006 World diversity with Aboriginal and non- medical examiner in the area of sexual Championships and Silver at Beijing Aboriginal people. assault making improvements in both Olympics. medical and legal processes for Eleanor Scholz women in South Australia. Developed Carol Sutherland protocols, guidelines and interpretation Active role in the Wudinna community of national guidelines for Cervix Significant professional contribution to contributing in a volunteer role with Screening SA. Acknowledged as an leadership in administrative services in local Council, St Johns Ambulance, expert in many areas of women’s tertiary education in South Australia at Aged Care, Wudinna and Districts health and forensic science. UniSA. Active in community roles as Telecentre and Children’s Services Progressed the field of forensic sexual member of Catherine House Trust, Regional Advisory Committee. assault medicine through her assisting in housing homeless women Negotiated and supported local commitment to high standards of in Adelaide. Developed relationships communities to establish Networking practice. Awarded a Churchill between UniSA and Catherine House, the Nation throughout rural and remote Fellowship in recognition of this work. promoting awareness and support communities, a communications through corporate sponsorship and centre that has internet access and fundraising activities. Previous Chair community based information. and current committee member of Assisted in establishing an increased United Nations Development Fund for profile for the TAFESA Campus and Women [UNIFEM], promoting increased accessibility for the local awareness of projects and gathering community. support from UniSA colleagues at the annual UNIFEM International Women’s Day Breakfast. 4 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 2009 honour roll [women’s honour roll] Rachel Abdulla Karen Bartel Winifred Branson A proud Ngarrindjeri woman providing Outstanding advocate and [1924 - 1972] an outstanding contribution through representative of working women’s