QV Women's Centre - Christmas Newsletter 2010 Dear friends, As the year draws to a close it is gratifying to reflect that the year’s work has provided significant benefits to women across Victoria this year from our services and programs. About 10,000 women visit the Centre each year or participate in our programs across the state. Since 2008 we have helped almost 3,000 women on their journey towards greater financial security and independence through our Women’s Financial Literacy program, conducted in partnership with the Office of Women’s Policy and WIRE – Women’s Information. Our capacity building program for women’s organisations, developed with the support of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, has piloted the Funding Futures workshop and continued its Working With Government workshop, for which there has been exceptional demand. We are very excited about the commencement of the SeeMe media literacy and positive body image program, which you can read about in the newsletter. I strongly encourage you to nominate a woman to the Shilling Wall in time for our next installation, which will occur in March 2011, coinciding with the Centenary of International Women’s Day. The closing date for nominations to this panel is 31 December 2010 so please don’t miss out on getting the name of a special woman onto the Wall in this landmark year for women. The funds raised through the Shilling Wall support the work we do for women and this year the focus will be on raising funds to support the Trust’s contribution to the media literacy and body image program. It has been my privilege in 2010 to join a community of dedicated and connected women who work together to improve the lives of women across Victoria. On behalf the team at QVWC, I wish everyone a joyful festive season and a safe and happy holiday. Genevieve Webb Chief Executive Officer Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Two new faces at QV Women's Centre We are delighted to welcome Shannon White who, as Customer Service Officer, is the new friendly face in reception and Dimple Arora who commences shortly and will take care of our venues. Both will work together to provide a seamless service throughout the day. For venues bookings contact Dimple at venues@qvwc.org.au and for any other matters contact Shannon at admin@qvwc.org.au.
Just 15 days left to nominate a woman for the IWD 2011 Shilling Wall panel March 2011 will mark 100 years of International Women's Day, celebrating our progress towards equality. The next Shilling Wall panel installation will coincide with the celebrations. This is a great opportunity to honour the contributions of women through a Shilling Wall tribute. If you or a group of your friends, family or colleagues would like to nominate a woman who is special to you for this important IWD panel please fill in a nomination form and send it to Megan Lewis via before 31 December:
Mail: 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000 Fax: (03) 8668 8111 Email: women.fund@qvwc.org.au
CLICK HERE to download a nomination form on the QV Women's Centre website.
Sue Lockwood nominated to Shilling Wall A leading consumer advocate for the breast cancer community, Sue Lockwood, has been nominated to the Centre’s Shilling Wall. Sue died late last year after eighteen years of campaigning for the consumer’s voice to be heard in all breast cancer services. Pam Williams, who nominated Sue on behalf of the Breast Cancer Action Group, praised her passion and inspiration that led to the development of BreaCan. Sue also worked made a significant contribution to the work of BreastScreen Victoria and the development of national standards for breast screening. If you would like to donate to support Sue’s tribute go to the QVWC website and download the donation form. To support an existing nomination, you don’t have to fill in the very last section of the form which is the significance statement, just fill in name of the woman you are supporting.
SeeMee to strengthen media literacy and positive body image The QV Women's Centre focus on positive body image continues with SeeMe our new media literacy program. With funding from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, along with fund committed by our Trust, we are developing a web-based media literacy resource that will help young women and men to de-code media messages and imagery to boost body satisfaction, self esteem and broaden aspiration. Research shows there is a link between media literacy and positive body image and
self-esteem. The curriculum-based resource will be developed with experts and young women as peer leaders and will be the first of its kind in Australia.
QV Women's Space grows into 2011 The QV Women's Centre is thrilled to announce that the QV Women’s Space Project, successfully piloted last year with 10 women’s groups, will continue with the generous support of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. The QV Women’s Space Project provides free access for eligible women’s groups to two women-friendly venues at the QV Women's Centre for workshops, meetings and counselling sessions. “Venues can be so expensive, and many women’s groups simply don’t have the financial capacity to hire spaces in a central Melbourne location” says Alex White the Centre’s Programs Manager. The QV Women’s Space Project supports small, emerging and unfunded women’s groups that are doing vital work supporting women and their communities. The Project also brings women’s groups together to share space, share ideas and learn from each other. For more information, or to find out if your women’s group or women’s activity is eligible, contact Alexandra White, the QV Women's Centre Programs Manager, on (03) 8668 8102.
Women & Money - A Victorian success story! The Women & Money program continues to provide Victorian Women with unique opportunities to gain insights, skills and information to secure their financial future. In 2010 over 600 women participated in the Women & Money seminar series in Melbourne, Geelong and Traralgon and over 240 women participated in the workshop program delivered across the state. The program, which has now been running for three years, is a partnership program with the QV Women's Centre, WIRE Women's Information and the Office of Women's Policy. The QV Women's Centre would like to thank our partners as well as all the program participants, facilitators and presenters who worked together to make this unique Victorian women's program such a great success.
Welcome to Ovarian Cancer Australia We warmly welcome our newest addition to the QV Women's Centre community - Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA). Each year, more than 1200 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Unfortunately most of these cases are at the advanced stage and difficult to treat successfully. However, if ovarian cancer is found in the early stages, up to 80% of women will be alive and well after five years.
Ovarian Cancer Australia is the country’s leading organisation for ovarian cancer awareness and support.Each year in February Ovarian Cancer Australia runs a national Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month of events, to highlight the following symptoms of ovarian cancer
Increased abdominal size or persistent bloating Unexplained abdominal or pelvic pain Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly Needing to urinate often
For information about Ovarian Cancer Australia’s support options, to learn more about the disease, or to make a donation, please visit www.ovariancancer.net.au, call 1300 660 334 or email admin@ovariancancer.net.au