The Victorian Women's Trust

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Welcome to the website of the Victorian Women’s Trust!

We have a funding program that invests in women and girls to effect social change.

We advocate for women on key issues that affect their lives.

We initiate special projects that deliver real outcomes for women.

We showcase women's talents and foster networks for the exchange of skills, ideas and information.

We aim to make a difference in everything we do. Women give us the financial means to make everything we do possible.

BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE

The Hon Joan Kirner launched the Trust publication 'Beyond the Garden Gate' by Joanna Fitch on 2 June.

The publication provides a fascinating window into the lives of women involved in the 1891 Suffrage Petition, focusing on different communities around Victoria.

We thank Jo Fitch for her extensive research and writing efforts as well as Joan Kirner for her insightful presentation at the launch.

We also gratefully acknowledge the support the Community Support Fund and the Public Record Office Victoria for making this project possible.

The publication is available online by clicking on the image above or in hardcopy from the Women's Trust at $12 p&p. Phone us on (03) 9642 0422 or email women@vwt.org.au

LOVE AND JUSTICE WOMEN'S ANTHEM

WOMEN'S ANTHEM CD: The CD recording of the Women’s Anthem ‘Love and Justice’ is now available. This beautiful anthem composed by Kavisha Mazzella was first performed in late November 2008 with over 400 women taking part.

The CD recording includes (1) Executive Director Mary Crooks’ introduction which provides the historical context of the anthem, (2) the performance of the anthem, (3) Convenor Dur-e Dara’s gifting to the women of Victoria and beyond, and (4) practice tracks, with Kavisha Mazzella singing each part for you or your choir to learn from. If you would like to obtain a copy of the CD, please email women@vwt.org.au

WOMEN'S ANTHEM MUSIC: To download a copy of the written music and lyrics to 'Love and Justice', click HERE [PDF] .

WOMEN'S ANTHEM YOUTUBE CLIP: A video of the women's anthem 'Love and Justice' is available on Youtube. Click HERE to access the clip.

We thank Harry Williamson from Spring Studio for making the clip available.

PARADOX OF SERVICE REPORT RELEASED

Life for former Catholic Church nuns who leave their order is often a sorry story of poverty, mental and physical ill health, social isolation and emotional pain, a report released by the Victorian Women’s Trust has revealed.

This landmark research, the first of its kind to be undertaken in Australia, ‘The Paradox of Service’, examines the experiences of nuns after leaving religious life, and uncovers systemic issues of neglect by the Church. It highlights inconsistencies and inadequacies of the Church in dealing financially and in other ways with members who have left.

To download a copy of the Paradox of Service report, click HERE

There is only one right way and one wrong way, our hearts will tell us.

If Everyone Cared Autobiography of Margaret Tucker Ure Smith Sydney 1977:198