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International Womens Day 2013
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| Photo: Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia presents Pat Brady with this year's Shirley Anne Williams Award. This annual award - started back in 2010 – is presented to a female staff member of in recognition of her outstanding contribution and work in the Institute. (Photo: National Indigenous Times) |
Celebrations to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) featured two fantastic events at the Institute in Canberra on Friday 8 March.
AIATSIS’ IWD activities kicked- off with a free public seminar featuring Iconic Zimbabwean freedom fighter Senator Sekai Holland. Senator Holland is the Zimbabwean Co-Minister of State for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration and winner of the Sydney Peace Prize 2012.
The two hour seminar (from 1.30pm-3.30pm) attracted a capacity crowd with a ‘full house’ achieved 24 hours before the event. (Click here to watch the Seminar)
As well as Senator Holland, other guest speakers included June Oscar - Advocate, activist and CEO of the Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, Fitzroy Crossing, in WA and Tanya Denning - Channel Manager – of National Indigenous Television (NITV).
Following the Seminar, AIATSIS staff, the AIATSIS Council and invited guests gathered in the Institute’s Stanner Room for the annual reception to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The event attracted some 160 people including Dr Vio Annandale, Samoa Women's Leadership, Ms Merilyn Tahi, Coordinator, Vanuatu Women's Centre Vanuatu, Mrs Helen Oluyemisi Olukanni (Chairperson of the African Women’s Council of Australia and wife of His Excellency High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Ambassador Jacqueline Zwambila - Zimbabwean Ambassador to Australia & New Zealand, Ms Koleka Mqulwana - South African High Commissioner, Heads of Canberra’s National Institutions, Members of the Diplomatic Community and Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia was the special guest speaker at the reception.
During her official address, Her Excellency noted how thrilled and delighted she was to be part of AIATSIS’ celebrations on International Women’s Day.
“I love the sisterhood, the solidarity we share as we gather to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women in every aspect of our lives. In the home, on the job, in our neighbourhoods, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, citizens and leaders,” she said.
“Around this room are women whose lives stand as a source of courage, inspiration and support to all of us as we work together to achieve equal opportunity, freedom from discrimination and recognition of the dignity and worth of every human being.”
Her Excellency also announced and presented the 2013 Shirley Ann Williams Award. This annual award - started back in 2010 – is presented to a female staff member of in recognition of her outstanding contribution and work in the Institute.
The Award is named after Shirley Ann Williams - a much loved member of the AIATSIS family who sadly passed away in 2010.
Robynne Quiggin, AIATSIS Council member and MC for IWD 2013, said that Shirley was a prominent member of the Aboriginal community in Queanbeyan and Canberra and is still a highly missed member of our staff.
“She was a mother, a grandmother and someone who made this place feel warm and inviting with her infectious smile, her jokes and generous spirit.”
In announcing this year’s recipient, Her Excellency also noted that the Award is dedicated to the memory of a ‘remarkable woman.’
“Ms Williams was born on the Willow Bend Mission at Condobolin in 1947. Mother, grandmother, worker, much loved and valued for her service to AIATSIS. The Award is a perfect way to pay tribute to her,” she added.
Her Excellency announced this year’s recipient - Pat Brady.
“It recognises her outstanding 25 year career that began in 1988 as secretary to the Principal. Pat moved to the library where she developed professional skills and expertise an invaluable working knowledge of the collections.”
“She enriched the catalogue and the experience of many researchers and library users. As a library collection manager, Pat contributed to the acquisition and cataloguing of general materials concentrating on building the AIATSIS collection in education, politics and contemporary issues.
“Thank you Pat for what you do every day, for AIATSIS, for our community and our country,” Her Excellency concluded.
AIATSIS Chairperson, Professor Mick Dodson AM, also highlighted Pat’s contribution to the Institute over two and half decades.
“In so many ways, Pat represents the very spirit of all our staff here at AIATSIS.”
“Her many decades of invaluable commitment and the sheer passion for the work of AIATSIS enriches our collections and through those collections we enrich us as a people and as a nation,” he said.
"Our celebrations go from strength to strength each year."
"I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, Senator Sekai Holland, Tanya Denning and June Oscar for accepting our invitations to be our guest speakers today."
Their contributions today have made this year’s celebrations almost impossible to better next year – but we will try, as it’s our 50th Anniversary in 2014." Professor Dodson concluded.