DOROTHY THOMPSON

The survival of the New Theatre movement in Australia since the 1930s has been largely attributed to the work and dedication of Dot Thompson.

As a director, board member and teacher ofthe Stanislavski Method, Dot has nurtured thetalent of countless numbers of theatre enthusiasts - be they actors, directors, writers, or stars behindthe scenes.It has been her life's work to promote and support left wing theatre, of which only two - one in Melbourne and one in Sydney - are still operating. Dot is still active with the Melbourne company, which until recently, had its home at the Organ Factory in Clifton Hill, advising on play selection and other invaluable advice.

GEORGINE CLARSEN, Born 1949

Georgine is an inspiring role model for women who want to succeed in non-traditional occupations.

From a Dutch-Indonesian background, Georgine and her family came to Australia after the war, settling an a wording class area of Newcastle. She won a scholarship to Sydney University, and was active in many political campaigns, including the anti-Vietnam movement and the fight for women's liberation in her undergraduate years.

Georgine spent some years in Englandwhere she campaigned hard to improve childcare services. She then started an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, later becomingthe only fully qualified female motor mechanic in Sydney.

Georgine moved to Victoria and joinedCircus Oz in 1984 as motor mechanic, eventuallybecoming their lighting designer, and ultimately, production manager. She left the Circus to resume her academic studies, completing her Masters and PhD degrees on her specialist subject, women and motoring.

JESSIE JOYCE WOOD, 1917 - 1994

Joyce charted new ground for women.

She was dux of Presbyterian Ladies College in 1933 and started work as a graphic artist at Cadbury's, receiving 19/6 ($1.95) per week. She subsequently secured a position in the Department of Economic Geography at the University of Melbourne and became an outstanding cartographer. She was widely respected for her meticulous professionalism, accuracy and historical knowledge.

During World War II, Joyce worked for Department of Defence, mapping Australia's productive capacity. She was also an excellent carpenter and joiner.

KAVISHA MAZZELLA, Born 1959

An inspirational song maker, Kavisha's contemporary and traditional folk music is derived from her rich multicultural background. In 1981 Kavisha played with the trio I Papaveri to a packed hall in Fremantle.

To their amazement, the 100 Italian women presentstarted to sing along - boldly, powerfully, giving vent to themusicaltradition and memories that had laindormant since migrating to Australia. It was a telling moment for Kavisha, and led to the birthof the now famous Italian women's choir, The Joys of the Women.

After moving to Melbourne in 1993, Kavisha formed another Italian Women's choir, La Voce Della Luna - the Voice of the Moon. She continuesto carve a strong reputation for herself as a singer, song maker and musician. She plays guitar, mandolin, accordion and piano and has a beautiful voice, capable of extraordinary power and nuance.

Kavisha has released two solo albums and was awarded an ARIA award in 1998.

MARY PATON, Born 1933

Mary's own difficulty breastfeeding her firstborn childprovided the impetus to do something for others.

She trained andworked as an occupational therapist in Melbourne. Then in 1964, together with a small group of women, Mary founded the Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia (NMAA). The work of Mary and the NMAA has lead to an increase in breastfeeding awareness and feeding rates and has generally raised greater community awareness of the value of breastfeeding. The organisation currently hasover 145,000 members nationwide, with as many as 50,000 drawn from Victoria alone.

Mary also has the distinction of travelling onthe first commercial bus from London to Calcutta in the late 1950s.

JENNI MITCHELL, Born 1941

Jenni has long been intrigued by the way women learn and connect with each other.

Along with Anna Lottkowitz, Jenni was the first worker to operate and define the scope of the Rural Women's Network, a loosely structured network connecting women around the state. She developed the newsletter of the Network that quickly became an extraordinarily effective conduit of ideas and exchange between rural women.

She was also part of the pioneering work at the Nunawading North Neighbourhood Centre. This work recognised women's prior learning, a crucial step that opened up opportunities and new directions for women in further education.

ASHA PAHUJA, Born 1936

Asha's imprint on her new countryis strong and sharp.
She was born in the Kanpur region on India where her enlightenedfatherrecognised hertalent and sent her to high school. Asha completed science, arts and medical degrees beforequalifying as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in London.

When Asha came to Australia in 1971, it was a country of few non-Europeanmigrants. Female obstetricians were not common, and the Melbourne medical world of the time was not at all prepared for an Indian woman doctor - especially one who was pregnant and dressed in a sari.

Unfazed, dedicated and hugely talented, she persevered with her medical practice, often putting her two young girls into the car, loaded up with books, snacks and cassettes to keep them amused while she did her hospital rounds.

Asha'sexperience of early menopause led her to research and write a book to help other womenentitled Menopause and Beyond (1994). She continues to work in her local and Indian communities.

JANET DILLOW, 1944 - 1996

Jan was passionate about people, politics and education.

JUDY FALLA, Born 1928

Judy believes that every child has the right to quality childcare and kindergarten programs.

A former kindergarten teacher, Judy has dedicated many years to the care of disadvantaged pre-school children. For the last 15 years she has served on the committee of the Uniting Church'sEarly Childhood Services Mission Kindergarten in Collingwood. Located inthe shadow of the housing commission flats, this kindergarten caters for the children and families wholive onthe estate. As Vice-President and then Treasurer, Judy has spent many hours raising funds to improve facilities and to ensure that fees are kept as low as possible for local families. In recent years she designed, and found the money to build a Fijian "Bure" cubby house forthe children.

For over 20 years, Judy also worked as a voluntary driverforYooralla, transporting disabled children to the Yooralla HospitalSchool once a week.

MARGARET OATS, 1908 - 1998

Margaret's compassion knew no bounds. After her husband's death in 1958,she single-handedly raised four children in aCollingwood weatherboard worker's cottage. At the same time, she reached out to people in the inner city who were cut off from support networks, family and services. She walked the streets, visited people in their homes, found them food and clothing, and over a long cup of tea, provideda shoulder to cry on.

This selfless and fiercely independent 'Angel ofCollingwood worked tirelessly forthe Society ofSt Vincent de Paul and ShareCare, a locally based foster program. So great was her contribution that when she died, St Vincent de Paul had to runa special appeal to fund the running and maintenanceof a mobile soup kitchen to distribute food to the people Margaret served and cared for until her death.