Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I rise to congratulate the Women of West Heidelberg in my electorate. On Friday 7 March I had the great pleasure of joining them, and their many supporters, to celebrate International Women's Day. The Women of West Heidelberg was established nearly a decade ago, and it has celebrated and promoted the lives of local women every year. The theme this year was inspiring change, encouraging advocacy for women's advancement everywhere, and challenging the status quo in order to advance women's equality.

Guest speakers were Mary Crooks, the Executive Director of the Victorian Women's Trust, and a wonderful local community member, Sister Francis Baum. Mary spoke about the origins of the Victorian Women's Trust, and the great work that women do in their day-to-day lives. I was honoured to speak with people about the incredibly important role that women play in holding together our local communities. I want to thank: Betty Dodd, Maxine Matthews, Wendy Ogden, Lillian Jelly, Kathy Croft, Margo Carr, Nan Yeomans, Wendy Brain, Betty Willey, and Louise Jaroszczuk, for their hard work and dedication for the Women of West Heidelberg.