While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Unions Tasmania expressly disclaim liability to any person for the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether whole or partial, upon any part of the contents of this website.
© UT 2007.
DELEGATES ENJOY THE 2007 ANNA STEWART MEMORIAL PROJECT
Three HACSU delegates, Leanne Cowen, Vanessa Ireland and Vicki Sutcliffe plus AEU delegates, Andrea Saggers and Jan Hunt were successful in being selected to participate in the Anna Stewart Memorial Project this year. Anna Stewart died tragically in April 1983. She had been a long time campaigner of women's rights and a prominent union official.
The Anna Stewart Memorial Project was established as an annual work experience program aimed at increasing the active union involvement of women and to increase the union movement's acceptance and understanding of women members and their issues.
From Wednesday 1st August to Wednesday 8th August, Leanne, Vanessa, Vicki, Andrea and Jan were involved in a 6 day program that exposed them to a variety of experiences aimed at increasing their knowledge and skills.
The delegates spent time with their host unions to get an understanding of how the union operates and also spent time in other union offices such as the IEU, CPSU, LHMU and ANF to gain a broader picture of the union movement. Visits to relevant sites were organised including the Tasmanian Industrial Commission and a meeting with Deputy President Pauline Shelley, the Anti Discrimination Commission and Parliament House. Lisa Singh met with participants at Parliament House and discussed the role and responsibilities of a female parliamentarian. All of the delegates remarked on how useful these meetings were in giving them a sense of the role and function of these three institutions in the industrial relations landscape.
Participants enjoyed a range of guest speakers including Nicole Wells, Susan Wallace, Cate Davey, Agnes Stanislaus-Large and Roz Madsen who shared their knowledge on effective communication, the Your Rights At Work campaign, APHEDA and a variety of international union experiences. Participants also had the opportunity to be involved in the planning of a protest at Covehill Fair. An assignment is usually part of the project and this year participants prepared questions concerning women and unionism for a panel of experienced union women. The panelists were Angela Briant, Anne Urquhar , Roz Madsen and Austra Maddox. Participants were fortunate to hear each panelist's journey in the union movement and were then able to ask questions about their career and experiences.
On the final day of the program participants travelled to Devonport for a Unions Tasmania Women's Committee meeting and they were able to be involved in discussions regarding current issues and events.
All five delegates thoroughly enjoyed the Anna Stewart Memorial Project and felt lucky to be involved in 2007. They all chose tasks for when they are back in their workplace and are looking forward to a reunion with other participants in October. The Anna Stewart Program will be run again in 2008.
If you are a woman in the union movement and would like to participate in the program please contact your union and ask them to nominate you for the next Anna Stewart project.
Authorised by Simon Cocker, Unions Tasmania 379 Elizabeth St North Hobart Tasmania 7000 - ph: 03 6234 9553 - site enquiries jprice@unionstas.com.au