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Happy Festive Season from NFAW
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Welcome to the December 2024 edition of the NFAW newsletter. It’s been another full year, so may I take this opportunity to wish all a joyous finish to 2024 and a wonderful, relaxing start to the new year. Please find below the President’s report to the recent AGM plus plenty of other interesting updates and articles. Thank you for your ongoing interest in gender equality and your support of NFAW’s work
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Message from Jane Madden, Chair, NFAW 2024
I sense I say this most years but 2024 has been a busy and, at times, challenging year for NFAW. I particularly wish to salute Deputy Chair Sally Moyle for leading the organisation for several months this year as I took a sabbatical and also championing key reforms such as the Constitutional review and our new charity status.
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In the early part of the year, we were contacted by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) who advised they were reviewing the Donor Gift Recipient (DGR) status of all DGRs specifically listed by name in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (of which NFAW was one). The potential loss of DGR status would have significant implications for the organisation, so we worked intensively with the ATO on a multitude of requests for documentation. On completion of the Review, we were pleased to have ATO uphold our continuing DGR status.
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Significantly we also secured charity status for NFAW from the Australian Charities and Not- for-Profits Commission (ACNC) this year. Both these developments position NFAW strongly for future fundraising and support and highlight the strength of the governance systems we have in place.
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On 27 March, we had a wonderful Pamela Denoon Lecture at the ANU from Stephanie Copus-Campbell, Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality. We also included a “Key Listeners Panel” with young NFAW supporters and appreciated a charming and nostalgic concluding speech from Donald Denoon, widower of Pam. ABC’s “Big Ideas” covered the event, as it has most years, so it can be found online:
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Over the year, the Australian Women’s Archive Project (AWAP) progressed a number of initiatives, including hosting successful Winter Tales events at the National Library and featuring in the ACT’s Heritage Festival.
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NFAW members and friends will benefit from hearing from the Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC at our Annual Press Club Dinner on 11 November. Ms Mostyn has a strong track record of championing gender equality and was the Chair of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce for the Albanese Government in 2022-23.
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NFAW’s Gender Lens on the Budget in May this year found that the Federal Budget’s initiatives only partially reflect the ambition outlined in the Government’s Working for Women—A Strategy for Gender Equality, released in March 2023. While there were some commendable efforts to include gender impact analysis, particularly women’s careers in the Future Made in Australia program, it has not yet been fully integrated across the entire budget process. NFAW has urged further investment in gender-responsive budgeting, capacity development across government, and enhanced monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
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As advised last year, NFAW has embarked on a review of our Constitution. We have needed to modernise it and align more with contemporary charity legislation. After presenting it at the 2023 AGM, members agreed to adopt it at the 2024 AGM on 12 November.
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Over 2024, there has been quite a movement of Directors. Four members resigned and three new ones are pending official appointment at the AGM. The terms of two Directors, Petrina Schiavi and Liz Courtney are expiring at the AGM so I would like to thank both retiring directors for their work for NFAW. As Secretary and Chair of Management Committee, Petrina has been an anchor for the organisation at the same time as modernising our way of working. Liz has been in the very busy and demanding role as Chair of our Fundraising, Marketing and Membership Committee and we will miss both Directors very much. I would also like to thank Vivienne Yu, our former Treasurer, who resigned earlier this year and who made a great contribution to the Board. I wish all our resigning directors well in their next steps and a very warm welcome to new Directors.
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Finally, I am happy to advise that our financial position remains sound. We were delighted to receive two significant bequests this year. We thank those people and their families and, in closing, may I express appreciation to all our supporters, including those that remember us in their wills.
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Jane Madden
Chair | National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW)
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What has been happening at the Australian Women’s Archives Program? Plenty!
It’s been another big year for AWAP. Our major project was the completion of a new online exhibition recording the women who have been elected to representative bodies in the ACT. Numbers too big to ignore women politicians in the ACT added 20 new entries to the Australian Women’s Register. The Register now provides a comprehensive record of all women elected to represent the ACT, up to the 2024 election.
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The ACT Legislative Assembly became the first Australian female majority jurisdiction in 2016 when 13 of its 25 members were women. That trend continues, with 13 women elected at the October 2024 election: six for the ALP, four Canberra Liberals, two Greens and one independent.
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The ACT achieved self-government in 1989, but the first female representative was Mary Stevenson who was elected to the ACT Advisory Council in 1951. The ACT has also had three female Chief Ministers: Rosemary Follett, the first Australian female head of government, Kate Carnell and Katy Gallagher.
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The exhibition was supported with funding from the ACT Government Heritage Grants Program. You can view the exhibition here.
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AWAP also organised a busy events program this year including former politicians Annette Ellis (ALP) Giulia Jones (Canberra Liberals) and Caroline Le Couteur (Greens) speaking in April; demographer Dr Liz Allen, journalist Genevieve Jacobs and magistrate Beth Campbell speaking at three Winter Tales events. More than 270 people attended these events, which are also an important fundraiser for AWAP.
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Chair, AWAP Management Committee
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Picture by Karleen Minney © Canberra Times/ACM.
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OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO DAME QUENTIN BRYCE
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Marie Coleman had a short catch up in Canberra with our Patron Dame Quentin Bryce who is stepping down from her role with NFAW to share our sincere thanks for her support and engagement with us over the recent years. Also in attendance were President Jane Madden and Vice President Sally Moyle, at a special morning tea event.
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PAMELA DENOON EVENT: DIARY DATE 26 March 2025
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Keynote speaker: Padma Raman, Executive Director the Federal Office of for Women.
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Ms Padma Raman PSM is Executive Director of the Office for Women (OFW) at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Prior to joining OFW in September 2023, she was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS) from 2021. In her time as CEO, Ms Raman established ANROWS as the widely recognised leading authoritative voice on evidence to end violence against women and children. Before commencing that role, Ms Raman was the Chief Executive of the Australian Human Rights Commission for 11 years. Previously, she established and was Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Law Reform Commission for nine years and served as a part-time commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for five years.
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WRAP UP OF OUR 2024 NFAW EVENTS
with Deputy Chair, Sally Moyle
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We held our annual dinner on 11 November 2024. The Governor-General, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn was the keynote speaker. She gave a powerful, gracious speech that demonstrated her skills in her new role. She talked about the importance of care and the crucial role that men will play in the journey towards equality. She was introduced by the Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service, Senator Katy Gallagher. Once again we had the biggest audience for our dinner we have ever had. We are looking forward to seeing it grow in size and popularity.
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Lovely feedback on the dinner from SPC member, Bri Delahunty:
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I am writing to convey my deepest appreciation for including me in the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) dinner. The event was nothing short of transformative, offering a platform for fearless and eloquent leaders to share their insights and experiences, I admit I teared up a bit listening to Sam. Being surrounded by such a diverse array of brilliantly intelligent and passionately committed feminists and advocates was not just energizing—it was a much-needed source of inspiration and renewal, particularly following a week filled with quite frankly, devastating news headlines.
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One of the evening's highlights was the opportunity to share a table with a group of vibrant young feminists. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and I was particularly moved by their effusive praise for both of you. Their admiration, which I wholeheartedly share, is a testament to the profound impact you've had on the next generation of feminist leaders. It was a joy to witness firsthand the ripple effect of your mentorship and leadership.
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I cannot thank you both enough for this invaluable opportunity and for your unwavering commitment as fearless, powerful leaders in the feminist movement. Your dedication to advancing gender equality and empowering women across all sectors of society is truly commendable. The impact of your work extends far beyond the confines of this dinner—it resonates throughout our communities, workplaces, and institutions, inspiring change and progress at every level. Your tireless efforts and visionary leadership are not just appreciated; they are essential in driving the ongoing fight for gender equality and social justice.
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Thank you both for being feminist legends!
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After extensive work and discussion, the members of NFAW at our Annual General Meeting on 12 November approved a new Constitution for the organisation. This Constitution replaces our old Constitution, which has been in place for several decades. I would like to thank all the company members for your attention to this issue and your advice on the process.
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The new Constitution is more streamlined and better reflects modern jurisprudence and practice and is better aligned to the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for Profit Commission and of the Australian Taxation Office.
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The old Constitution had several categories of company member; this has been streamlined to two categories – directors of the company (board members) from time to time, and Life Members.
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We have invited all company members who were not in these two categories to become Life Members, and ten of them have agreed.
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We are thrilled to welcome the following long-time supporters and members of NFAW as Life Members:
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Ruth Campbell
Mary Crawford
Cheryl Hannah
Helen McKenna
Nicole McKenna
Di Simpson
Georgina Somerset
Margy Burn
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These amazing supporters join our current cohort of 21 Life Members.
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Social Policy Committee Review of the Year
with Prof Helen Hodgson
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As we come to the end of the year, I would like to begin by thanking all those who have contributed to our work this year. In addition to the members of the Social Policy Committee, we have a larger group of contributors whose expertise makes our Gender Lens on the Budget the important project that it is. I would particularly like to welcome our new Directors who are serving on the SPC, Caroline Edwards and Helen Dalley-Fisher and look forward to working with them.
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This year the centre piece of our work program was again the Gender Lens on the Budget, which was produced following the Federal Budget in May. As I write this the Government is pushing through its housing and Aged Care measures in the final sitting week of Parliament. We will be looking at what these changes mean for women. We are also eagerly awaiting the Government response to the Productivity Commission report into Early Childhood Education and Care. NFAW made submissions to this enquiry at different stages, and generally support the direction of the final report. I would like to acknowledge and thank Mary Welsh for her work on this.
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We are busy planning for next year’s election, which must be held no later than May, but could be called as early as February. Our plan is based around a number of policy position papers, to be published early in the new year. We will then be tracking announcements in those areas against our core issues. Clearly the key election issues will be focussed on cost-of-living concerns, and we will be examining he effect that this has on women including those living on pensions and fixed incomes. Housing, access to health services and the changes to Higher Education will also be among the issues that we will be addressing.
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I also need to signal a significant change in the Alliances. After more than twenty years working to advance the cause of women the Equality Rights Alliance decided not to tender for the new contract and is winding up its operations from the end of November. The new Alliance is the Working With Women Alliance, and we will continue to work with that Alliance as it takes over the work done by ERA. I acknowledge the excellent work done by ERA, its convenors – most recently Helen Dalley- Fisher, policy officers and other administrative supports over the last two decades. The new Alliance has a high standard to live up to!
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Finally, I would like to thank Liz Courtney for the work that she has done on the Board and particularly with the Social Policy Committee over the last four years and particularly for her work on the regular newsletters. We congratulate her on her work addressing climate change and wish her all the best.
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Subscription for 2025
Your NFAW Membership Subscription for Individual membership may be expiring soon!
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We hope you continue with us as a member of NFAW, supporting major initiatives such as our Gender Lens on the Budget. This report provides the most expert, detailed analysis of the budget impact on women compiled outside government, and is a valued source document for governments, advocates, academics and the community.
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Your support allows us to continue this type of important work towards improved outcomes for Australian women. If your Membership is already connected to a Stripe plan, your membership will renew automatically on expiry date via Stripe using your selected payment method/credit card. If you need to update your credit card details, please update it directly via the Stripe Payment Portal.
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Please do not hesitate to email us at nfaw@nfaw.org if you have any queries.
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DONATIONS + BEQUESTS
NFAW was established through a $50,000 bequest by Pamela Denoon, with a further $50,000 dedicated to the Pamela Denoon Trust for special projects. Philanthropy is part of NFAW’s DNA.
In the past year NFAW has been working towards obtaining philanthropic support that will allow us to continue to put our independent, apolitical case with confidence and freedom, and without fear or favour. NFAW is not willing to wait another generation to get action – we want action on gender equality now. By leaving a gift in your Will to NFAW you will be making a unique commitment to ensure our teams can continue to do vital work. You will also be helping to provide a lasting legacy on gender equality.
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If you are interested in having a discussion about this, then please contact Kate Gunn Fundraising, Marketing and Membership Committee.
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Wishing you all a very joyful, safe and peaceful festive season, many thanks for your continued support of our work at NFAW.
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