WOMEN’S GROUPS 2013 A – V ABORTION LAW REPEAL ASSOCIATION/ASSOCIATION FOR THE LEGAL RIGHT TO ABORTION (ALRA) Purpose of the group The group was established to lobby for the repeal of abortion laws in Western Australia. In 1967, the UK passed historic legislation that made abortion legal in certain circumstances. In 1968, a reform bill similchrar to the UK legislation was introduced into WA Parliament but was defeated. The ALRA was established in WA soon after with considerable public support. When feminists joined the ALRA in the early-to-mid-1970s the emphasis shifted to women’s reproductive rights. ALRA members lobbied politicians through letter writing campaigns and responded to many requests to speak at schools, colleges and clubs. As early as 1981, the group tried to raise awareness about female genital mutilation practices around the world. The ALRA also established a phone information service in 1971, initially in the homes of volunteer counsellors. Later, the Abortion Information Service was separated from the ALRA and transferred to the Family Planning Association (FPWA) in 1989. Since then, there have been continuing links between the FPWA and ALRA. More recently, the ALRA lobbied Sensis (White and Yellow Pages) to clarify its listings for pregnancy counselling services because many women unknowingly contacted anti-abortion agencies. Also in recent years, ALRA members lobbied to change laws to allow RU486 (medical abortion drug mifepristone) to be made available under the Therapeutic Goods Administration instead of requiring the Federal Health Minister’s consent. Time period The ALRA was established in 1967 and ceased in 2008. The organisation changed its name in early 1989 from the Abortion Law Repeal Association Inc to the 1 Association for the Legal Right to Abortion. An increasing number of people thought abortion was already legal because of its ready availability at two clinics and King Edward Memorial Hospital. This caused confusion about what the ALRA stood for—some believed the group wanted to repeal the laws that allowed abortion. Key achievements The primary aim of the group was achieved on 26 May 1998 when the Acts Amendment (Abortion) Act 1998 was eventually passed after two months of active public debate and numerous amendments to the original proposal. This Act amended the Health Act 1911 and The Criminal Code to make it lawful for a medical practitioner to perform an abortion as long as the women concerned had given ‘informed consent’. The ALRA played an important role in the law reform process. An early ALRA achievement was establishing a counselling service to advise women on abortion options. The ALRA also published a book that became known as ‘The Yellow Book’ after it was distributed to all WA high schools and universities. Many orders from overseas were also received. A newsletter was published several times a year and brochures were distributed widely. In 1994, members Linda Savage-Davis and Terri-Ann White invited women to share their memories for the book ‘Stories of our lives—women’s experiences of abortion’. Funded by the Megan Sassi bequest, it records the trials and pain women endured and has left a valuable reminder of how women suffer when they don’t have access to legal abortion. Key people and positions in the group ● Denise and Ralph White, Henny and John Newmeyer and Liz Smith were founders (a handful of men were ALRA members). ● Presidents included Robyn Murphy (1990–1994) and Margot Boetcher (1995–2008). ● David Anderson was vice-president and Dorothy Anderson was treasurer (2008). 2 ● Ruth Greble held various positions including vice-president while Barbara Buick held various positions. ● Other significant members included Megan Sassi, Diana Warnock, Judy Straton, Cheryl Davenport, Janet Pine, Sandra Roe, Mary Gadsden, Dorothy Anderson, Judith Cross, Anthea Taylor, Ann Taylor and Cait Calcutt. Sources ● Information provided by Yvonne Henderson and Margot Boetcher. ● Boetcher, Margot. 2008. Unpublished speech to FPWA in October 2008. (ALRA and abortion in Western Australia). AMERICAN WOMEN'S CLUB OF PERTH (AWC) Purpose of the group The AWC is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting friendships between American and other women through social, recreational, cultural and philanthropic activities. It is a non-political voluntary organisation with a focus on friendship and service. The AWC is part of the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO), an international network of independent clubs and associations with a combined membership of nearly 18,000 in 37 across countries. The AWC’s aim is to help bridge the cultural gap for American women living in Australia, although members from all parts of the world are welcome. Social activities include tennis, golf, bible study, a book club and games, as well as a weekly mothers and toddlers group, golden girls group and regular movie club. Time Period The AWC of Perth was founded in 1968. FAWCO was founded in London in 1931. Key Achievements The AWC raises funds to donate supplies to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and donates to other organisations, such as the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. The AWC also participates in the Cancer Council's annual Relay for Life. 3 Key people and positions in the group ● Recent executive members include Lisa Posell, Tory Manning, Gillian Yudelman, Jimmie-Lyn Linkston, Audrey Ciccone, Becca Osborn, Suzie Cotton, Gail Campbell and Kath Balfour. Sources ● Website: http://www.awcperth.org. ARTEMIS Purpose of the group Initially known as the Women’s Arts Forum, Artemis had the aim of raising the status of women in the arts and was established as a forum for women artists, art teachers, critics and writers. The group fostered discussion and interest in the practice and ideas of women’s art, promoted community awareness of women’s contribution to the arts and supported women working in the arts. It also set up independent feminist criticism to address perceived inequalities in WA’s arts establishments. Artemis sought to activate critical appraisal of a patriarchal culture—and its effects on art history, practice and theory—to redefine women’s art practice in a female image. One of the group’s aims was to produce art by women, instead of art about women. Meetings were held in the Hotel Northbridge’s Blue Room and later at the Perth Cultural Centre’s Artshouse. This area included an exhibition space for artists’ work. Childcare was also provided for meetings. Time Period Artemis was established in 1985 and disbanded in 1990 after funding was discontinued. Key achievements Many exhibitions and shows were held by Artemis members including the touring ‘double exposure’ exhibition, ‘anything goes women show’, a poster project and 4 numerous solo and group exhibitions and workshops. The Artemis exhibition ‘no second thoughts’ was part of the 1988 Festival of Perth. In 1987, Artemis held the two-day ‘look who’s talking’ forum to celebrate the work and ideas of women artists and actively engage the public with the group’s aims and objectives. Key people and positions in the group ● Rosalind Paterson Drake-Brockman and Sue Standen applied for and received the initial Artemis funding. • Committee members included Cate Smith, Peta Zilka, Kim Lambert, Barbara Lazar, Patricia Manger-Dorst, Penny Bovell, Stephanie Dimmock, Anne Jeppe, Kath Letch, Kerry Stokes, Terri-Ann White, Pam Kleemann, Thyrza Callard, Jo Darbyshire, Michelle Elliot, Joanne Purser, Linda Rawlings and Jacquie Reid. • Cate Smith and Pam Kleemann were also employed as arts resource officers. Sources ● The Australian Women’s Register: Artemis http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0800b.htm. ● The State Library of WA holds a collection covering the full period of the group’s activity from 1986 to 1990 (call number ACC 4476A). ASSOCIATION OF CIVILIAN WIDOWS OF WA INC Purpose of the group The Association of Civilian Widows of WA is a non-party political and non-sectarian group that aims to promote the interests of widows and their children. It also engages in welfare work for its members and holds fundraising and social meetings. Camps are held for the children of widows and social events are held for members. A newsletter is produced for members of the group and includes stories, tips and recipes. The group’s motto is ‘friendship and service’ and the prayer on the newsletter’s cover is: ● God of all being 5 ● Grant us the understanding ● To comfort in sorrow ● To befriend in loneliness ● To assist in adversity ● The widowed and fatherless ● By friendship and service Time period The group has existed since the 1950s and continues to operate. Key achievements The Association of Civilian Widows of WA has current and former branches in Girrawheen, Midland, Mount Barker, Perth, Scarborough, Dongara, Eastern Goldfields, Fremantle, Geraldton, Albany and Bunbury. Key people and positions in the group ● State presidents have included Mrs Jan Embrey, Mavis Vigus, and Mrs D. Anderson. Sources ● Collection of material relating to the Association of Civilian Widows. Available at the State Library of WA, detailed listing available (call number PR10826). ● The Australian Women’s Register: http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0711b.htm. AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES WA BRANCH (ACM) Purpose of the group The WA Branch of the Australian College of Midwives is the peak professional body for midwives in WA. The WA branch seeks to inform and influence issues important to WA midwives and women. Time period 6 Since 1983. Key achievements Informing maternity reforms in WA and promoting and advocating choice for women. Promoting continuity of care with a known midwife through pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period. Working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 3, 4, 5 and 6 as part of an international campaign–the world needs midwives now more than ever. The development of a manifesto for politicians standing for election in WA endorsing support for student and graduate midwives, continuity of care for women and birth choices for women outside a medical model.