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16 Christmas drinks were held at the offices of one our newest sponsor’s, Blake Dawson Waldron, on the evening of 7 December 1998. Members enjoyed a great view south over the Yarra, listened to the Firbank Anglican Grammar School Chamber Music Group and also received a gift from Santa. The Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Phillips, our patron, was welcomed by Liz Bishop, our new convenor. Mr Justice Phillips spoke warmly of our achievements, in particular the research and publication of the flexible Work Practices Guide “Living & Working Together”. He was followed by the President of the Law Institute, Andrew Scott. The Law Institute is another one of our very supportive sponsors. The evening was not all speeches. There was plenty of time to enjoy the hospitality and have a glass of champagne.
International WOMEN’S DAY By Mary-Ann Newton International Women’s Day on 8 March 1999 is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. The day was originally created out of protest and political action symbolising the efforts to end poor working conditions experienced by women in sweat shops. International Women’s Day now recognises all efforts to improve the lives of women. The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of the century when many women in industrially developing countries began entering the paid labour force. Here is a brief timeline of the evolution of International Women’s Day. 1857 The first recorded action was on March 8 in New York. Women textile workers went on strike to protest against their low wages, 12 hour working day and poor working conditions. 1907 In New York City, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time commemorating the 1857 strike. The women protested and rallied for the right to vote, decent wages and the end to sweat shops and child labour. 1909 In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Women’s Day was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate on the last Sunday of February until 1913, this was to ensure that a work day would not be lost. 1910 At the International Socialist Conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a German Socialist leader proposed that a particular day be proclaimed International Women’s Day. Over 100 women from 17 countries unanimously supported the proposal to set aside a particular day each year to remember women and their struggles. No fixed date was selected. 1911 On March 19, more than one million women in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Germany used the day to rally for the right to vote, hold public office, to vocational training and to end discrimination on the job. Less than one week later, on 25 March, a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York took the lives of more than 149 women, most them Italian and Jewish immigrants. The appalling working conditions which caused the tragedy were denouned in subsequent commemorations of International Women’s Day and led to reform in the US labour legislation. 1913- 1914 As part of the peace movement before World War 1, Russian women protested the outbreak of WW1 on the last Sunday in February. 1917 Following a series of strikes by Russian workers against high prices and factory layoffs, and the deaths of 2 million Russian soldiers in the War, Russian women took to the streets of St Petersburg to strike for “bread and peace”. Political leaders opposed the timing of the strike, and the protests turned to riots, contributing to the February revolution which led to the abdication of the Czar four days later. The provisional government granted women the right to vote. This historic Sunday fell on 23 February on the Julian Calendar then in use in Russia, but on 8 March on the Gregorian Calendar in use elsewhere. 1977 A United Nations resolution passed calling for all countries to celebrate a day of women’s rights and international peace, 8 March was proclaimed that day. Since 1857, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women. It began as an acknowledgement of women’s struggles to make their work places better, however, it is a day of celebration of women and a time to reflect on the progress made. Women and men celebrate International Women’s Day to recognise the acts of courage and determination by those who began the struggle and those who continue to work for change. 17
Page 1 and 2: Balance: Work and Life Portia Issue
Page 3 and 4: Convenor’s Column With New Year
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Page 11 and 12: ECUTIVE Carolyn Sutherland Sarah Re
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Page 15: Noosa Noosa has, perhaps unkindly,
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