What is International Women's Day?
What's on in Canberra to celebrate 2010 International Women's Day
What are the ACT International Women's Day Awards?
Award Categories
2010 ACT International Women's Day Awards
2009 ACT International Women's Day Awards
2008 ACT International Women's Day Awards Recipients
2007 ACT International Women's Day Awards
Other ways to Acknowledge the Achievements and Contributions of ACT Women and Girls
March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD). Around the world IWD marks a celebration of the achievements of women. IWD provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of women, and the legacy left by earlier generations. The day is also an occasion to inspire commitment to the future challenges that women face in making further progress.
International Women's Day History 
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In the ACT, part of the IWD celebrations include the ACT International Women's Day Awards. The Awards are presented by the ACT Minister for Women.
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The Women's Award is given to an individual woman or team of women in the ACT whose outstanding achievements and contributions have enriched the lives of others; and
The Community Award is given to any group, team or organisation that has made a substantial contribution to improving the quality of life for women in the ACT.
2010 ACT International Women's Day Awards nomination form PDF 163kb | Word 1,423kb
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Ms Ruth Christie
Ms Ruth Christie has dedicated her career as a counsellor, educator and supervisor in the fields of sexual assault, domestic and physical violence, trauma, grief and loss and child protection. This includes 22 years in the ACT.
Ruth has been a pioneer in the field of trauma; working tirelessly to establish and develop many of the first services for women and children affected by sexual and physical violence and ensuring access to services for women and children excluded from many services.
Ruth has been working at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre over the last 15 years and her retirement in April 2010 will be celebrated by so many who have felt very privileged to have known Ruth and to have worked alongside her.
Photo called Ruth
Ms Jenni Kemarre Martiniello
Ms Jenni Kemarre Martiniello is an award winning writer, visual artist and academic of Arrernte, Chinese and Anglo-Celtic heritage who has dedicated nearly 30 years to the support of women from low socio-economic backgrounds in the community sector.
As an educator in the tertiary sector, she has mentored and supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non I Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through peer support groups to help them achieve their higher potential.
As a writer and visual artist, Jenni co-founded the ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group in 2003 and the ACT Indigenous Writers group in 1999. She has sought funding for and manages major projects to develop the professional skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women artists, writers and youth.
She established the ACT's first and only independent arts based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social enterprise, Kemarre Arts, which is dedicated to the creative empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the mentoring, professional development and marketing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and writers. Jenni is the Director of Kemarre Arts and currently also teaches Community Development at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group
The ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group formed in 2003. It is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art group in the ACT to create an ongoing positive supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through regular group meetings, exhibitions and skills development projects.
The ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group provides access to shared material resources, tools and equipment, attracts funding for major projects and exhibitions, gives artists a market presence nationally and internationally, mentors emerging artists, assists in professional development and negotiates access for artists into mainstream arts organisations and facilities.
Since 2003 ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group has had 67 exhibitions in the ACT, regional and metropolitan New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. Its members have won and/or been shortlisted for major national art prizes and are represented in major public and private collections.
The current members of ACT Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists Group are:-
Ms Louise Taylor
Louise Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. Louise has worked primarily as a criminal lawyer in the ACT. During a significant portion of her seven years with the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Louise performed the role of specialist Family Violence Prosecutor. Louise currently works for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions as a Principal Legal Officer. Louise is a long time member of the Management Committee of the ACT Women’s Legal Centre and a member of the ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council. Louise is also on the editorial board of the Indigenous Law Bulletin. Louise has a strong interest in access to justice for women, particularly for Indigenous and other marginalised women.
YWCA of Canberra
The YWCA of Canberra has served local women, their families and their communities since forming in 1929 and continues to serve the Canberra community as a women’s membership based organisation. With the vision of Women Achieving Their Potential, the YWCA of Canberra works to improve the quality of life for women and their families and communities in the ACT as an innovative service provider, as well as through policy development, advocacy and women’s leadership.
Ms Betty Connelly
Betty Elaine Connelly (nee Stewart) was born in Sydney and lived most of her life at Mogo on the South Coast of NSW. She has a very close association with her totem, the Black Duck from the Yuin Nation, and to Gumbaynggir and Djungutti on the northern coast of NSW.
Having worked most of her life in community organisations, Betty has a strong passion and commitment for the skill building and wellbeing of Indigenous communities. For the past four years, she has worked in the Nguru Program with Canberra Rape Crisis Centre providing support and education to the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Betty was the first Aboriginal woman J.P. on the South Coast; was the winner of the NSW Director General’s Excellence Award in Literacy and received the inaugural ACTCOSS-NAIDOC award in 2006. She has initiated and implemented a number of projects, including the Batemans Bay Aboriginal Early Intervention Program in Literacy and establishment of an Aboriginal Education Library Resource Centre to honour Elders of the South Coast. As the pioneer and driving force of the newly established Diploma in Counselling and Group Work, Betty has enabled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the ACT community sector to receive recognised qualifications for their skills – the first of its kind in Australia – and is currently working with the YWCA of Canberra to with a view to offering a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Barnardos Indigenous Supported Playgroup/ Indigenous Women’s Network
The Barnardos Supported Koori Playgroups was set up in 2007 to provide a culturally appropriate environment for mothers and children to come and play and also to support the mothers to deal with issues relating to their children’s needs.
The playgroup is supported and facilitated by the Koori workers at Barnardos.(Denise Dixon, Pam Bell, Sharon Williams). Playgroup sessions run over a two hour period with a light, healthy lunch provided. Families are involved in all aspects of the playgroup and the activities have a specific Koori focus.
Ms Dewani Bakkum
For many years Ms Dewani Bakkum has worked in a voluntary capacity to assist, guide and nurture the ACT's Fijian-Indian community and provide support to new and emerging communities in the ACT. Dewani was elected to the Board of the Migrant Resource Centre of Canberra and Queanbeyan (MRC) in 2002. She served initially as the Secretary, then Deputy Chair and from 2005-07 as Chair as the MRC Management Board. Dewani assists migrant women to settle into the community. She understands the challenges they face when arriving in a new country working as a volunteer for the last 10 years to support the multicultural community in the ACT.
Ms Chintana Sandilands
Ms Chintana Sandilands is a key and respected member of the Thai Department of the Faculty of Asian Studies ANU, and of the Thai-Australian community in the ACT. Chintana is an Assistant Director of the National Thai Studies Centre and a lecturer of the Thai language. Chintana deservedly received the Australian National University Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in teaching in 1997. Chintana also provides Thai culture and language lessons to the Australian Youth Ambassador Program as well as developing an in-country ANU course on Thai/Burmese security issues. Chintana is held in high esteem by her students, both past and present and has inspired many who she has mentored.
Ms Karen Fryar
Ms Karen Fryar has held the appointment of Magistrate in Charge of the ACT Family Violence List since 2000. Karen has been involved in Family Violence Intervention Program since it's inception 10 years ago. The approach Karen pioneered in dealing with family violence is now replicated in many jurisdictions. In addition to her work as Magistrate, Karen has also been a leader in encouraging influential men to become aware of the issues of family violence by becoming White Ribbon Day Ambassadors.
Ms Estelle Muspratt
Ms Estelle Muspratt has been working with young people on the arts for over a decade. Her strong involvement in youth arts through her voluntary role as past president of the Canberra Youth Theatre Board and current ACT Director of the National Board of Young People and the Arts Australia, reflects her strong commitment to the provision of a supportive arts environment in which young people can flourish. Estelle has a diverse focus with attention to youth, disadvantaged families and culturally and linguistically diverse community. Estelle has contributed to the arts at state and national level, as well as participating as a member of the ACT Cultural Council and Belconnen Arts Advisory Committee.
Dr Penelope Mathew
Dr Penelope (Pene) Mathew is a Human Rights Legal and Policy Adviser at the Human Rights Commission, where she has made an outstanding contribution to social justice and human rights issues. Pene has highlighted major issues facing women detainees through her recent work: 'Human Rights audit on the operation of ACT correctional facilities under correction' with particular focus on the Belconnen Remand Centre. Pene has made a highly valued contribution nationally and internationally to refugees and asylum seekers through her academic work and as an advocate in refugee camps.
Ms Manja Visschedijk
Ms Manja Visschedijk has worked tirelessly for women and their families both as part of her career and in her life generally. She was part of the Narrative Therapy Collective and has been involved in many innovative projects including the inspiring publication produced with the Majura Women's Group, "Beyond I'm just a Mum". Manja is the Community Services Director at the YWCA, as well as a former collective and governance committee member of Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. She is an active contributor to women's community services, and a tireless advocate for women.
Ms Mona Al Asfi and Ms Katrina Rashidi
Ms Mona Al Asfi and Ms Katrina Rashidi have tirelessly dedicated their time and energy to organise a women's swimming program to promote health and well being for Muslim women in the ACT. This program has been running since August 2007. While a newly established initiative, Mona and Katrina have already made a significant contribution to the lives of Muslim women in the ACT.
Mrs Narelle Hargraves
Mrs Narelle Hargraves has made a long and outstanding contribution to the ACT (and Australian) community. Narelle, in her role as Director of the Schools, International Education Community Partnership within the ACT Department of Education and Training was responsible for the Primary, High Schools and Secondary Colleges in the ACT and is the current chair of the ACT Children's Services Council. Narelle has displayed outstanding leadership and has enhanced the outcomes for so many children and young people in the ACT community.
Dr Anne Sneddon and Ms Melissa Parker
Dr Anne Sneddon and Ms Melissa Parker have been the driving force behind the Canberra Endometriosis Centre. Anne and Melissa have developed a multidisciplinary centre for teenagers with problematic menstrual cycles and are developing options to deliver menstrual education and screening programs in Canberra high schools. Today is the first anniversary of the Endometriosis Centre, and this award recognises the ground-breaking work undertake by these two women. Both Anne and Melissa have contributed above and beyond their roles. Their research has achieved international standing, and will continue to have an enormous impact on the well-being of women with endometriosis.
Ms Audrey Fagan (Posthumous Award)
Ms Audrey Fagan was the ACT's first female Chief Police Officer, a remarkable achievement. Her work in making Canberra a safer, more inclusive community inspired all those who knew her. Her personal style in achieving at the highest level will be long remembered.
Audrey showed dedication, passion, perseverance and commitment in both her personal and professional life.
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Last Modified: 9 March, 2010
