p 10edition 34 Victorian Women Lawyers 1Celebrating0 10 years in 2006 The Objectives of the Association (a) to provide a common meeting ground for women lawyers; (b) to foster the continuing education and development of women lawyers in all matters of legal interest; portia (c) to encourage and provide for the entry of A publication of women into the legal profession and their advancement within the legal profession; (d) to work towards the reform of the law; (e) to participate as a body in matters of interest to the legal profession; C el 6 e 00 br 2 (f) to promote the understanding and support at in ing 10 years of women’s legal and human rights; and (g) such other objectives as the Association may in General Meeting decide. Further, the Association also adopts the objectives Edition 34, August 2006 of the Australian Women Lawyers and is a Recognised Organisation of that Association: (a) achieve justice and equality for all women: Executive Committee (b) further understanding of and support 2006 Convenor Virginia Jay for the legal rights of all women; Immediate Past Convenor Rosemary Peavey (c) identify, highlight and eradicate discrimination Assistant Convenor Justine Lau against women in law and in the legal system; Secretary Anne Winckel (d) advance equality for women in the legal profession; Treasurer Leanne Hughson (e) create and enhance awareness of women’s contribution to the practise Chair Networking and development of the law; and Committee Mandy Bede (f) provide a professional and social Chair Communications network for women lawyers. Committee Kathryn Hamill Co-Chairs Justice We wish to thank our sponsors including: Committee Rose Cattermole and Vicki James principal sponsor: Co-Chairs Work Practices Committee Christine Melis and Michelle Whyte major sponsors: Chair Membership Committee Beth Hilton-Thorpe General Members Rebecca Anselmi Christine Melis Beth Hilton-Thorpe Victorian Women Lawyers GPO Box 2314V or DX350 Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: +61 3 9607 9390 Fax: +61 3 9607 9558 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vwl.asn.au Disclaimer This journal is published by the Victorian Women Lawyers Association. The views expressed by contributors are those of the authors and not necessarily representative of the Victorian Women Lawyers Association or its members. No responsibility will be accepted by the Victorian Women Lawyers Association or its members for the accuracy of information contained in this text. 2 Note from the contents Convenor 3 Note from the Convenor – Virginia Jay 4 Editorial – Kathryn Hamill Edition 34 5 Message from our Patron – Her Hon, Chief Justice Marilyn Warren AC 6 Message from the Attorney General – The Hon Rob Hulls 7 Message from the Law Institute of Victoria – Catherine Gale (President) 8 Message from Australian Women Lawyers – Caroline Kirton (President) 9 Australian Women Lawyers Conference – Caroline Kirton 10 Message from the Women Barristers Association ello and welcome to this very special – Simone Jacobson (Convenor) H10 year anniversary edition of 11 Interview with the former Chief Justice Portia. In honour of VWL’s tenth birthday, & Kriss Will – Kathryn Hamill we have compiled a ‘Happy Birthday’ 14 Past Convenor’s Report – 1996-1997: Deanne Weir commemorative edition of Portia in which 15 Past Convenor’s Report – 1998: Georgina Frost we celebrate a decade of work toward 17 Past Convenor’s Report – 1999: Liz Bishop advancing the status of women in the Past Convenor’s Report – 2000: Angela Clelland law and pay tribute to those who have 20 supported the association over the years. 22 Past Convenor’s Report – 2001: Wendy Kayler-Thompson A signifi cant galvanising force in the formation 23 Past Convenor’s Report – 2002: Glenda Beecher of Victorian Women Lawyers was a conference Past Convenor’s Report – 2003: Joanna Renkin in 1993 on Women in the Legal Profession, 24 convened by a group of young lawyers and 25 Past Convenor’s Report – 2004: Sarah Coffey chaired by the Honourable Mr John Phillips, 26 Past Convenor’s Report – 2005: Rosemary Peavey former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 28 Convenor’s Report – 2006: Virginia Jay Victoria. 30 Empowering Women in Law: The voicing of issues at the conference The Journey Continues – Esther James highlighted the benefi t that women lawyers 32 A History of VWL Reports & Submissions stood to gain by having a collective voice in the 34 Dame Roma Mitchell Luncheon profession. The forceful and veracious voice 36 Healthy, Happy & Organised in 2006 – Alex Neskes which VWL has asserted in the profession and in the community on matters of importance 37 Navigating your Accidental Career with Anne Winckel – Rebecca Anselmi to women is the underlying basis of its success in advancing the status of women in the law 38 Bendable or Expendable Report – report & opinion piece: Virginia Jay and in promoting women’s legal and human rights. In this edition, you will have a chance 40 Women Lawyers Achievement Awards to discover more about VWL’s activities over its 41 Lesbia Harford Oration ten year history and the way it has expressed its 42 Pathway to Partnership – Marika Hubble-Marriott voice on issues affecting women in the law and 44 VWL/WBA Meet & Greet – Kaajal Fox in the broader community. 46 Birthday messages from some of our Happy 10th Birthday VWL! major sponsors 3 editorial BY KATHRYN HAMILL – SOLICITOR, RUSSELL KENNEDY any of you may be Womens Lawyers, and from some belief that more needs to be done Mreading Portia for the of our sponsors, including the to achieve VWL’s goals. Esther fi rst time – perhaps as a guest President of our principal sponsor, James‘ article on the World Women at VWL’s tenth anniversary the Law Institute of Victoria. Lawyers’ Conference in London lunch, or having received a This edition also includes an provides a timely demonstration copy of Portia upon joining interview with the former Chief that these goals are not unique VWL after attending our recent Justice of the Supreme Court and to Victorian women lawyers. Members and Guests night. VWL’s fi rst Patron, His Honour John Finally, we have reproduced the By whatever means you acquired Harber Phillips, and Kriss Will, one covers of selected past editions of your copy, new and existing of VWL’s founding members, who Portia above. Each edition of Portia readers alike are welcomed to this enlighten readers on their roles in represents the culmination of a special edition, dedicated to VWL’s the conception and infancy of VWL. tenth anniversary celebrations. great deal of work by contributors In an exercise which - given the busy and editors alike - all of it voluntary, As such, along with the reports lives and career progression of each and most of it snatched from the from VWL’s most recent events of VWL’s ten Convenors - presented precious few hours of spare time and publications featured in every some challenges to complete, every of the editors. In view of this, I edition, we also refl ect upon Convenor was invited to submit would like to take this opportunity past VWL events, publications an article on a topic of her choice. to thank contributors to, and and submissions, and feature Each of the resulting articles offers editors of, Portia for the ten years congratulatory articles from VWL a unique perspective on the writer’s Patron the Honourable Chief Justice year as Convenor, her career in of its existence, and, looking Marilyn Warren the Victorian the law or the development of the forward to Portia’s next ten years, Attorney-General, the Convenor of profession, however each Convenor ask readers for contributions to the Women Barristers’ Association, looks to the future with the same the next edition of Portia, which the President of Australian sense of optimism, but with the will have a Justice theme. 4 Comment from Her Honour, Chief Justice Marilyn Warren the Patron of Victorian Women Lawyers n 1996, a small group of Its groundbreaking report, “360 and fl exible work practices that are Itenacious and visionary Degree Review: Flexible Work more responsive to maintaining women began the Victorian Practices – Confronting the Myths a healthy life work balance. I Women Lawyers. Their and Realities in the Legal Profession” anticipate that the issue of life work intentions were noble and has provided a signifi cant balance will be of signifi cant interest ambitious; clearly they felt there examination of the cultural and to women lawyers of generation X was much to do. With support attitudinal obstacles facing women and Y as they move forward in their and encouragement from lawyers who attempt to negotiate careers. individuals and professional fl exible work options alongside their It is not unreasonable to ask “what groups, the VWL has not only aspirations for career advancement. is it about us that we have to have gone from strength to strength, The VWL has garnered well three meals a day at the offi ce to but it has drawn a crowd of deserved international and national work in the law?”. Of concern are acclaim for its research into the supporters and an increasing the recent reports of the “level of unclaimed issues and unfi nished membership along the way. unhappiness” in the legal profession business of women seeking 1 and the mental health implications Today when I see the membership a long-term satisfying career this poses. The challenge ahead for of the VWL number around 600 in the law. women lawyers I can only say that the VWL is to develop and promote their energies have been well placed The VWL did not let these issues alternate work models that sustain and their passion has struck a chord rest there. This year in collaboration and positively support women with women lawyers in this State with the Law Institute of Victoria, in the workplace, that promote and elsewhere.