Dear Reader

Well, such a cold winter seems to have passed us by in a flash because we have been so busy with the many

events at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. A highlight for the month was the Green is the New Black series of

events. Close to 200 women visited the Centre to develop their ‘eco-literacy’ and enjoy the cocktail party and

fashion parade, the lunchtime forums and the exhibition of eco-friendly designs from our leading fashion colleges.

A visit from the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, was a delightful conclusion to a week of special events.

Her Excellency showed an impressive knowledge of and interest in the many issues women face.

Our Financial Literacy seminars and workshops – delivered in partnership with the Office of Women’s Policy and

WIRE – are giving hundreds of women ideas and techniques to achieve greater financial independence.

It has been exciting to welcome two new women’s organisations to our community at the QV Women’s Centre.

Positive Women Victoria and Ovarian Cancer Australia both provide support and advocacy services that

complement other activities in the Centre.

In July, Laurie Bebbington resigned from the Trust after 3 years of service. She

plans to travel, write and pursue other interests. Laurie chaired our Programs

Committee for 3 years and her experience in government, the community sector

and the women’s movement was invaluable in helping us develop our Women’s

Capacity Building Programs. We also say a sad farewell to Stephanie Newton who

has ably looked after our venues and reception. We wish her well in an exciting

new role at Cricket Victoria.

I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter and everything spring has to offer

in Victoria.

Genevieve Webb

Chief Executive Officer

Queen Victoria Women's Centre

Green is the new Black

As September saw the coming of spring, Melbourne's Spring Fashion Week kicked off with events around the CBD. The QV Women’s Centre was proud to take part in this city-wide event for the first time, with a series of sustainable fashion events.

Events including a two week student exhibition, two lunchtime forums and an evening cocktail party and fashion parade proved to be a hit with Melbourne women looking to learn about becoming a green fashion consumer.

The week featured special guests such Angela Pippos, eco-fashion expert Irene Goonan, Sue

Thomas from RMIT, Lane Palmer from Lane Palmer Green, Adele Palmer, Linda Vydra from Clothing Exchange, Marion Webster from Fitted for Work and Tiffany Treloar from Tiffany Treloar Designs.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Green is the new Black event.

2010 Financial Literacy Seminars & Workshops

For the third year in a row the QV Women’s Centre has teamed up with the Office of Women’s Policy and WIRE Women’s Information to deliver free Women & Money seminars and workshops for Victorian women. This year the Centre’s Women & Money program consists of 10 CBD based seminars, 1 seminar in Geelong, 1 seminar in Taralgon and 27 workshops around Victorian metro and regional areas. With almost 40 seminars and workshops to choose from, women from all across the State have been given the chance to improve their future financial security. Although some seminars have already run, there are plenty of seminars and workshops still to take place. But places are filling fast, so CLICK HERE to book into a Women & Money event today to avoid disappointment.

The Governor General's visit

Earlier this month we were delighted and honoured to receive a visit from Her

Excellency, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC. This was the first time the

Governor-General has visited our Centre and she was able to meet representatives

from all of the women’s organisations in the Centre. Her Excellency’s tour of the

building took in the WIRE Women’s Information Centre, and she chatted to staff in

BreaCan and the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition.

The Governor-General was previously Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner,

and she showed a very deep understanding of many different issues that we are dealing with here at the Centre.

She also had a chance to view the eco-friendly fashions that were on display in our Women’s Gallery, and view the

names of women on the Shilling Wall.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Governor General visit.

Annual Report 2009-10 - Connecting Women

The QV Women’s Centre’s 2009-10 Annual Report was released on September 16 and is now available online via our website. The publication is filled with the achievements and challenges of the 2009-10 financial year, with testimonials and quotes from many women who used our spaces or attended our events last year. CLICK HERE to view the full QV Women’s Centre’s 2009-10 Annual Report online.

Celebrating Women

The QV Women's Centre is always keen to celebrate the achievements of women and

during the last few months we have been busy honouring the amazing achievements of

the diverse and wonderful women who have been nominated for the Shilling Wall by

the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) and the City of Melbourne.

The VMC nominated 10 of its past female Commissioners to the Shilling Wall as a mark

of respect for their work with emerging communities. These 10 women were presented

with their Shilling Wall certificates in a public event that brought women from diverse

backgrounds to the Centre in mid July. We thank the Brimbank Multicultural Choir for

providing the evening's entertainment.

In September the City of Melbourne celebrated the contributions of 20 past and present female Councillors with

Shilling Wall tributes in a private function hosted by Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley at the QV Women's Centre.

Honoured guest included the present Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and Emma Page Campbel, former Lord Mayors

Leckie Ord and Winsome McCaughey, current councillors including Jennifer Kanis and Cathy Oke and many more.

We thank the VMC and City of Melbourne for their ongoing support of the Centre though the Shilling Wall.

Lord Mayor's Foundation Support our Women's Space

The QV Women’s Centre is pleased to announce that a grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation will allow us to continue running the Women’s Space Project, which offers two multi-functional venues to eligible women’s groups and networks at no charge.

Over the past year many wonderful women's group have accessed this centrally located space, including the Asylum Seekers Resource Women's Group and Koori Women Mean Business. CLICK HERE to find out more about the Women’s Space.

Why is a Shilling Wall tribute the perfect Christmas gift?

We know it is hard to believe, but Christmas really is just around the corner. To help you prepare for this festive season, here are five reasons why you should consider nominating a special woman in your life for a Shilling Wall tribute this Christmas.

1. The Shilling Wall is unique – it is the only place of its kind in Victoria, where the names of women are encapsulated in a monument for all to honour and remember.

2. A tribute will make her day – a Shilling Wall tribute is a personalised and touching gift for women of all ages – perfect for the woman who has everything. . If you nominate before December 17, we will ensure you receive your Shilling Wall certificate to present to your special woman before Christmas.

3. A Shilling Wall tribute is a gift that keeps on giving – the name of your special woman will be permanently imprinted onto the Shilling Wall. Made of robust coloured glass, the Shilling Wall will provides a beautiful, lasting monument for future generations to honour women.

4. All women are welcome on the Shilling Wall – the names of family members, friends, colleagues, community members and guardian angels all adorn the Shilling Wall. As long as your special woman has inspired you, she is deserving of a Shilling Wall tribute.

5. Your gift will support the work of the QV Women’s Centre – we offer workshops for women’s organisations to build capacity in working with government, obtaining funding and project management; we provide financial literacy seminars and workshops; and we are further developing our media-literacy program to help young women to maintain a positive body image. Much of this work is supported by the funds raised through the Shilling Wall, making your Christmas gift extra special. CLICK HERE to find our more or to nominate your special woman today.

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Contact Information: 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 | (03) 8668 8100