Dear NFAW Board colleagues,

Hard to believe it’s almost December.

Since the AGM, there has been a particularly focused effort undertaken on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s targeted review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (the WGEA Review). A number of us met with Prime Minister and Cabinet but it is thanks to a small team led by Kathy McDermott, that we submitted a very comprehensive submission (attached for reference).  NFAW was also in the media on this.

Speaking of media, Sam Mostyn of CEW gave a great address at the Press Club yesterday, worth catching on ABC iview.  She paid lovely tribute to our Adviser and founding member, Marie Coleman AO PSM. Yesterday also saw the release of a useful report from Australians Investing in Women. It further confirms that the pandemic could stall the entry and/or ongoing participation of women in the workforce by one year and could widen the gender pay gap between men and women by at least one percentage point.  READ MORE: https://www.aiiw.org.au/news/young-womens-futures-at-greatest-risk-from-impact-of-covid-19-new-research-reveals

Since the AGM, induction emails and board packs were sent to our new board members, and registration on the ASIC and ACNC registers are proceeding, so I would like to warmly welcome Jen Bushell, Jawoon Kim and Kirsten Tapine.   You bring a wealth of experience as well as some fresh perspectives to the Board  – we are delighted to have you.    Jen is no stranger to us at NFAW (indeed she knows  the inner workings like no other!) but Jawoon  and Kirsten are being linked to some of the existing members to help them settle in. We look forward to getting together in early 2022 – Petrina will work her diary magic shortly and send out dates (first Board meeting likely late February).  I also wanted to let you know that I have written by email and letter to the former Board Members, Michelle McGregor-Owen and Liz Rowell, including a small gift on our behalf, to thank them for their contributions in recent years, especially in terms of fundraising and marketing respectively.   I know that Michelle is continuing to work closely with Kate on the fundraising front.   Liz Courtney has kindly done some handovers and is currently coordinating our end of year newsletter – thanks to Liz and the many contributors. For many, it has been a tough and challenging year (or two).  I wish you a restful and joyous festive season and hopefully a holiday.  I look forward to working with you all in 2022 – so much to be done.   With best wishes, Jane

Jane Madden
President  | National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW)