EVENING SEMINAR BUTTONHOLING JUSTICE: THE STORY BEHIND BROKEN LIVES WITH ESTELLE BLACKBURN, JOHN BUTTON & TONY COOKE 24 November 2003, 7.30 pm, Niche Lotteries House, Hospital Ave, Nedlands (cnr Hospital Ave & Aberdare Rd, near St John Ambulance depot) Estelle Blackburn OAM is a Perth journalist and the author of Broken lives, the book that exposed an injustice and led to last year’s quashing of John Button’s 1963 manslaughter conviction. Estelle’s 10 year long justice crusade also brought her the prestig- ious Order of Australia and the Golden Walkley Award for journalism. Her book won the Ned Kelly Award for the best true crime story in 2001 and the WA Premier’s Award for non fiction in 1999. Estelle will speak about the events that prompted her interest in John Button’s case and how she maintained her determination to see it through. It is a compelling story about miscarriage of justice, perserverance and the impact on the lives of many people, including 11 unknown victims of attempted murder. John Button was convicted in 1963 for the hit and run killing of his 17 year old girlfriend Rosemary Anderson and for which he served five years in prison and a further five years on strict parole. Rosemary’s death occurred during a tumultous time in Perth with a series of murders by Eric Edgar Cooke, who was convicted and hung for these crimes. In 2002 the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed John Button’s conviction, largely as a result of the research for Estelle’s book,. In 2003 John Button was awarded $460,000 as compensation for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment for Rosemary’s death. Tony Cooke graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Social Work). Initially he worked with the WA Prisons Department and left government in 1980 to take up an appointment with the trade union movement. From 1980 to 1984 he was employed in the Trades and Labor Council’s compensation department. Betweeen 1984 and 1985 he completed a Master of Arts in Social Policy at the University of York and in 1986 commenced as the manager of the Trades and Labor Council’s employment centre. From 1987 to 1992 he was industrial officer with the TLC and then was elected to Secretary of UnionsWA (formerly the TLC), a position he held until his resignation in 2001. Tony commenced his current employment as an Associate Professor at Curtin University in March 2002. Tony has been involved in a wide range of community activities and appointed to a number of statutory positions. He was awarded a Centenary Medal in April 2003 for “Services to occupational health and safety and improving work- ing conditions” and at present is studying law. Tax Invoice Society of Professional Social Workers (Inc), ABN 90 404 582 393 RSVP for catering purposes to 9381 9496 (door admission if space available) Name:......................................................................................................................................................................................... Address: ........................................................................................................................................Postcode.............................. 2 CPE Tel (W).............................................................. (H) ........................................................ Fax:................................................... Points Email:.......................................................................................................................................................................................... A cheque is enclosed made payable to Society of Professional Social Workers (Inc) Fee details Please debit: Bankcard Mastercard Visa (includes GST) Card No:............................................................................................................................................... Free: SPSW members Free: If join on night Expiry date:.................... Cardholderʼs name:..................................................................................... $10: non members Cardholderʼs signature ............................................................................. Amount $ .......................... Post to: PO Box 156, Subiaco WA 6904 or Fax to: 9381 9496.