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Women's Conference 2007
Approximately 270 women Federation Members from all over NSW attended the Federation Women's Conference on March 31, 2007. The Conference was held in the Teachers Federation Auditorium in Surry Hills. The Conference was traditionally held in May each year but was moved forward to Term 1 for 2007 in order to see if an earlier date would allow a higher number of delegates to attend. The Conference was open to all financial women members of Federation and Federation funded the costs of travel and accommodation for one woman delegate from each Country Association, with Country Associations electing to fund further delegates from Association funds. Federation also funded five women Aboriginal delegates from rural areas and five country delegates from TAFE. The theme for the Women's Conference was "Fairer Future, Decent Society" and the day focussed in part on raising awareness and discussion of political issues of importance to women teachers in the lead up to the Federal election, with particular emphasis on public education and industrial relations. Keynote Speakers were Chris Game, NSW State Secretary, National Tertiary Education Union as well as Senator Kerry Nettle, Greens Senator for NSW and Dr Maria Pallotta- Chiarolli, Senior Lecturer in Social Diversity in Health and Education, Deakin University. Chris game spoke to women delegates about the Federal government attacks on our universities, through massive cuts to funding as well as attempts to make radical changes to the working conditions of NTEU members. Chris also spoke about women in union positions within the NTEU. Kerry Nettle addressed the conference on the contemporary education debate in Australia, including the divisive and inequitable notions of choice and entitlement. Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli discussed her latest research on Adolescent perspectives on gender and school The conference workshops focussed on industrial and professional issues of relevance to women teacher unionists and were led by women Federation Officers and women members of Federation Executive. The workshops covered the topics The Federal Government's Coercive approach to Education and what we can do about it, 21st Century Campaigning, Casual and Temporary Teachers, The Challenges Facing our Young People, OH&S and Violent Student Behaviour, Strategies for Working Effectively with the Media The Public Education Campaign and Funding of Public Schools, The Salaries Campaign and Unions Working for Women. The film Kanyini was also screened as a workshop with a discussion afterwards with Melanie Hogan, Director. The feminist HIP HOP comedy act 'Sista She' were popular entertainers with a thought-provoking performance for women delegates. All women Federation members, whether long time activists or new Federation members, are encouraged to attend the next Conference in 2008.
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http://www.nswtf.org.au/WomensProgram/wconf_07.html |
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