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The Trust is a unique organisation that has been working for women in Victoria since 1985. We raise funds to make grants that help women around the state. We advocate on issues affecting women. We try to change things for the better. We want to make a difference.
WANT TO CELEBRATE IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY THE CENTENARY OF VICTORIAN WOMEN GAINING THE VOTE IN 1908? The anthem will be sung publicly for the first time on Saturday afternoon, 29th November at the BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square, as part of the Trust's final forum commemorating the centenary of suffrage in Victoria. ****To be part of this special event, you need to register your interest by emailing mary@vwt.org.au or by phoning the Trust on (03) 9642 0422 as soon as possible**** The VICTORIAN WOMEN'S TRUST presents: Forum Three: Dangerous and Persuasive Women - Keeping the Faith Centenary of Suffrage in Victoria 1908 - 2008 WHEN: Saturday, November 29 WHERE: BMW Edge Theatre, FederationSquare,Melbourne WHEN: 2.00pm for 2.30pm start FREE!!!!! Book now to reserve your seat for the Women's Trust's third free forum celebrating 100 years of Victorian women's right to vote. The second forum, held in June, provided a unique and entertaining oral and visual presentation - a journey across the century detailing how Australian women have done politics not only differently, but also very successfully. Drawing on the works of significant feminist historians and the Women’s Trust's own research, a unique, first-time and compelling public narrative was delivered, co-presented by radio presenter and journalist Angela Pippos, comedian and entertainer Tracy Bartram, socialhistorian Adjunct Professor Judith Smart and Women's Trust Executive Director Mary Crooks. The Trust's first and second forums were terrific successes - so make sure you don't miss out on this final installment! Book now - phone the Trust on (03) 9642 0422 or email women@vwt.org.au to reserve your seat.
NATIONAL COUNCIL TO REMOVE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - SUBMISSIONS DUE JULY 31 The Federal Government’s appointed National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women has called for public responses. The deadline for submissions is soon – July 31 – so be sure not to miss this opportunity to have a say on this important issue (the Women’s Trust will be making a submission, but we strongly encourage individuals and other organisations to also have their say). For more details, go to the Office for Women’s website, by clicking here. PAID MATERNITY LEAVE REVIEW The Productivity Commission has been asked by the Rudd Government to inquire into the economic and social costs and benefits of paid maternity, paternity and parental leave. The Commission has released an Issues Paper which can be downloaded via: http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/parentalsupport/docs/issuespaper SPEECHES NOW AVAILABLE: DANGEROUS AND PERSUASIVE WOMEN: CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE IN VICTORIA Forum One: Rediscovering Women’s PoliticalHistory
In celebrating the Centenary of Women’s Suffrage in Victoria, the Victorian Women’s Trust will present three free thought-provoking public forums throughout 2008. Coinciding with International Women's Day celebrations, the first event commemorated one hundred years of women's activism in Victoria, and attracted a crowd of 300 people. Leading historians Professor Patricia Grimshaw, Professor Marilyn Lake and literary historian Jennifer Strauss provided the keynote addresses. Speeches are now available following the first forum!
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE AUDIO RECORDINGS OF THESE SPEECHES Or, click on the links below to read the speeches of Patricia Grimshawand Jennifer Strauss (we are endeavouring to get a copy of MarilynLake's speech up as soon as possible) And, stay tuned for the final event to be held this year: WHEN: November 29 (third event) WHERE: BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square Admission: FREE! Victoria was the last Australian state to grant women the vote, afteran incredibly lengthy struggle. Despite being granted the vote federally in 1902, it would be another six years before women were able to vote in their own state. Extensive lobbying and activism took place, including:  The “Monster Petition” of 1891, which collected an amazing 30,000signatures, the largest ever presented tothe Victorian State Parliament.Eighteen women’s suffragebills, which were rejected by the Victorian Parliament over a period of almost two decades before theAdult Suffrage Act was finally passed in 1908.Do not miss these important free events celebrating women’s history! Please RSVP to confirm your attendance by contacting the Victorian Women’s Trust on (03) 9642 0422 or email women@vwt.org.au.
CUPS WITH NO HANDLES BOOK LAUNCH BOOK LAUNCH - CUPS WITH NO HANDLES, MEMOIRS OF A GRASSROOTS ACTIVIST, By Carolyn Landon, & Bette, Gina and Les Boyanton, Presented by the Victorian Women's Trust “Bette was one of the warriors whosecampaign for social justice inspired women of my generation and, through this clearly written and compelling book, her life will now inspire women inthe next generation.” – The Honourable Joan Kirner The Women's Trust proudly hostedthis book launch event on 28 February 2008, launched by Dur-e Dara, with MC Mary Crooks and special guest Clare Corbet: If you would like to buy a copy of this important book, please email women@vwt.org.au or phone (03) 9642 0422. SIGN UP TO OUR E-BULLETIN To keep up to date with what's happening at the Victorian Women's Trust in 2008, sign up to our E-Bulletins. Our E-Bulletinsenable readers to find out about (1) Women's Trust news, (2) policy issues affecting women, (3)important events and (4) where possible, a 'quirky' take on what's been in the news. The aim and purpose of our E-Bulletins compliments a core part of the Victorian Women's Trust's mission - that womenbenefit from fostering networks for the exchange of skills,ideas and information. E-Bulletins are sent out on average every fortnight, and are a great, environmentally-friendly way of keepingupto date with issues concerning women. To sign-up, simply email women@vwt.org.au and let us knowyouwishfor your address to be added to our E-Bulletin list. It's that easy! ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM To be alerted to the Trust's annual grants program (and be sent the Granting Guidelines that areissued each year), email women@vwt.org.au, and ask to be added to the Granting database. VWT WELCOMES NEW WORK AND FAMILY INITIATIVE Women’s organisations welcomed the election campaign announcement by Deputy Labor leader Julia Gillard of a $12 million work and family initiative. Three key agencies applauded Labor’s commitment to ensuring national leadership onan issue that affects all working Australians. The Victorian Women’sTrust (VWT), WIRE - Women’s Information (WIRE), and Queen Victoria Women’s Centre(QVWC) met in August with representatives from both the then Coalition and Opposition parties to argue the need for more support forworking people and their employers. The groups outlined a practicalapproach that has already been trialled in Victoria that would help women and men to negotiate work/life balance and family-friendly practices. “It is pleasing that thisissue isnowbeing taken up nationally during the election campaign. Creating a better work and family balance is something mums, dads, families and society as a whole will benefit from, and weapplaud Julia Gillard for making the issue an early priority,” Victorian Women’s Trust ExecutiveDirector Mary Crooks said. Atargeted work and family initiative can assist small business in particular to retain skilled workers and enhance productivity. “The grassroots nature of this policy is a real stepforward to creating better work and family balance arrangementsin workplaces,” Samiro Douglas, Manager ofWIRE said. “Our studies have found women in particular benefit from sharing informationface-to-face. This policy will provide working women with the information theyneedto address thisimportant issue,” Ms Douglas said. With the new election of the Rudd Gillard Government, it is hopedthat these initiatives will be taken up sometime soon. NEW PRINT RUN OF 'OUR WATER MARK' Due to demand and the distribution of almost 12,000 copies of 'Our Water Mark'in less than three months, the Trust has recently ordered a second print run of 25,000. Copies are available to collect free of charge from theVictorian Women's Trust office, and ruraland regional libraries across Victoria. Bulk copies can be delivered across the Melbourne metropolitan areafree of charge. Contact the VictorianWomen's Trust for moredetails, or goto the Watermark Australia website OURWATERMARK MEDIA 774 ABCMelbourne Presenter Jon Faine:Our first guest this morning is MaryCrooks, who as well asbeing at the Victorian Women's Trust, is also the Project Director of something called Watermark Australia. Mary, welcome backto the Conversation Hour. *** Victorian Women's Trust Executive Directorand WatermarkAustralia Project Director Mary Crooks appeared on 774 ABC Melbourne's 'Conversation Hour' with presenter Jon Faine and guest Rob Gell in August. The interview inspired a lot of interest in the new publication 'Our Water Mark'. It can be downloaded via the ABC's website BY CLICKING HERE. *** The launch of The publication of this pioneeringwork brings together five years of research, community dialogue and scientific input to create a 'Big Picture', while at the same time showing the way forward for individuals, communities and both urban and rural businesses. Tolearn more about the book, to register andto order a copy please visit the Watermark Australia website.
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Welcome to the website of the Victorian Women’s Trust!
The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. 
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