Women NSW

In the lead up to Anzac Day, we reflect on the life of Dorothy Drain (1909–1996), one of Australia's first female war correspondents and a trailblazer for women in journalism. 🎤 📰

Starting her career in Queensland and relocating to Sydney in 1936, Dorothy would make her mark when she joined the Australian Women’s Weekly in 1938, just prior to the Second World War.

Australian Army guidelines made it difficult for female journalists to enter combat zones but this didn’t stop Dorothy from travelling to New Guinea to report on those involved in supporting the soldiers at the frontline.

Dorothy would go on to cover Australia’s involvement in the Malayan Emergency, the Korean War in 1950, and the Vietnam War in 1965, becoming the first Australian female correspondent to visit our troops serving on the ground.

Retiring in 1975, Dorothy’s contributions will be honoured as part of Heritage NSW’s Blue Plaque program, which aims to highlight significant people and events which have contributed to the rich history of NSW.

🟦 To read more about Dorothy’s story, visit https://blueplaques.nsw.gov.au/blue-plaques/locations/dorothy-drain

[Alt-text:
First image: Dorothy Drain as war correspondent during the Vietnam War, 1965. Image courtesy Are Media Pty Limited / The Australian Women’s Weekly
Second image: Dorothy Drain's press permit for World War II, 7 June 1940. Permit supplied by The Hon Kenneth Hayne AC. Photo by Leon Schoots image courtesy of Bendigo Art Gallery
Third image: Australian war correspondent Dorothy Drain representing the 'Australian Women's Weekly', speaking with RAAF Caribou flight crew at an air base in Vietnam. Image courtesy Australian War Memorial]

We understand this is a very difficult time for many in the community.

If you or someone you know needs support contact:
- Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
- Kids helpline (24/7): 1800 55 1800
- Beyond Blue (24/7): 1300 22 46 36
- The Mental Health Line (24/7): 1800 011 511

Services are available through phone calls or other forms of communication. For a full list of NSW mental health services and support programs visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/.../services/Pages/default.aspx

We understand this is a very difficult time for many in the community.

If you or someone you know needs support contact:
- Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
- Kids helpline (24/7): 1800 55 1800
- Beyond Blue (24/7): 1300 22 46 36
- The Mental Health Line (24/7): 1800 011 511

Services are available through phone calls or other forms of communication. For a full list of NSW mental health services and support programs visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/default.aspx

Calling all young women and girls aged 12-25 in Port Macquarie-Hastings!

Don't miss ‘Become the CEO of Your Life’ this NSW Youth Week, hosted by Rural Women's Network.

⏰ Monday 15 April 2024, 11:00am to 1:00pm
📍 1st Port Macquarie Sea Scouts Hall - 9 Buller Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
✔️ Register now https://www.nsw.gov.au/youthweek/events/calling-all-young-women-and-girls-aged-12-25-port-macquarie-hastings

This hands-on workshop will explore topics of career readiness, wellbeing and self-leadership and leave you feeling more confident and equipped to step into your own and contribute your unique gifts to the community and beyond.

👀 Check out the new look BreastScreen NSW website 👉 https://brnw.ch/BreastScreenNSW_News

We’re excited to announce the launch of BreastScreen NSW’s new website! Some of the improvements we’ve made include:
💗 New design
💗 Mobile friendly
💗 Improved functionality & navigation
💗 Updated content
Have a look around and we hope you enjoy the new site.
Find out more: https://brnw.ch/BreastScreenNSW_News

⭐ NSW Youth Week starts this Thursday! ⭐

If you’re aged between 12 and 24, get involved in a range of activities, opportunities and events happening right across the state from 11 to 14 April www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/nsw-youth-week-2024

Express. Empower. Get loud!

Are you from the Young area and looking to get back into workforce?

Don't miss these upcoming workshops from Empowered Collective and Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn 👇

📅Thursdays: 2, 9 and 16 May
⏰: 10:00am – 2:00pm
📍 Vinnies Regional Support Office, 120 Lovell St, Young.
📧: [email protected]

To find out more, visit https://empoweredco.com.au/womens-return-to-work-programs-empowered-collective/

Do you know a volunteer or volunteer team that deserves recognition for their selfless dedication and community service?

Nominations for the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are open! Nominate now https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/


The Centre for Volunteering

[Alt-text: 2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year and Senior Volunteer of the Year Leanne Hillman]

🩺 April is Adenomyosis Awareness Month.

Often referred to as the ‘cousin of endometriosis’, adenomyosis affects around 1 in 5 women and is a debilitating condition where the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. This can cause the uterus to become enlarged and tender.

Just like endo, adenomyosis is also an often misunderstood condition.

While there is no cure, there are treatment options, which will depend on your symptoms, stage of life and whether you plan to have children.

To learn more about adenomyosis, visit 👉 https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/ovaries-uterus/adenomyosis

To find management options right for you, talk to your GP or call HealthDirect free on 1800 022 222.

📣 Are you one of the 854,300 carers in NSW and want to be better supported in the incredible work you do?

The 2024 Carer Wellbeing Survey is now open https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/carer-wellbeing-survey/

💡 Sharing your experiences will help Carers Australia build a comprehensive picture of the wellbeing of carers and the future of support for unpaid carers.

The survey is open to anyone over the age of 14 years who identifies as a carer – both currently caring or has been a carer in the past.

👏 We want to give a huge shout out and congratulations to Mona Mohamed, founder of Community Support Services Incorporated (CCS), and the Local Woman of the Year 2024 for Bankstown.

CSS’ Sew for Good Employment is a program that trains women in technical sewing skills and offers guaranteed part-time employment as well as a sense of connection and belonging for women experiencing social isolation. CSS is a 2022-23 Investing in Women Grant recipient.

Applications for the new round of the Investing in Women Funding Program are now open! nsw.gov.au/2024-investing-in-women-grant

♾️ Today is World Autism Awareness Day, which is aimed at increasing the understanding and acceptance of people living with autism.

Research shows that autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more prevalent among men and boys but this may not paint an accurate picture.

Studies indicate that there are important differences in the characteristics of women with autism and men with autism. Autism is also underdiagnosed among younger women and girls. One reason for this is that they are generally better at masking their ASD-associated characteristics.

To better support people living with autism, you can contribute your voice to the federal government’s Draft National Autism Strategy 👉 https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/

Feedback will inform a more coordinated, national approach to improve the lives of autistic people in Australia. Public consultation is open until Friday 31 May.

🐰 We really CRACK ourselves up 😂

Give us your best Easter joke in the comments below 👇

And from all of us here at Women NSW, have a safe and happy Easter break!

Our social media accounts will not be monitored during the public holiday period from 29 March – 1 April.

We will respond to your messages after this time.

The NSW Government is making NSW safer for our LGBTQ+ community ❤️

Conversion practices are being banned across the state, as these practices are not only ineffective, but also dangerous and damaging to our communities.

This new ban is carefully crafted to protect LGBTQ+ people, while still respecting diverse religious and cultural beliefs.

To find out more, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/nsw-government-bans-lgbtq-conversion-practices

The Australian Government has released additional supporting resources for the ‘National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence’.

These additional resources include:
- In-language translations
- A video and factsheet for First Nations audiences;
- Factsheets tailored for LGBTQIA+, migrants and refugees, older people and people with disability.
- Factsheets addressing specific behaviours (technology-facilitated coercive control and economic and financial abuse); and
- a supplementary resource for healthcare practitioners.

To find these resources, visit https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/families/family-violence/coercive-control

❤️ It was wonderful to have so many people visit the Women NSW stall at the NSW Seniors Festival Expo this year!

The NSW Seniors Festival 2024 celebrates the role and contributions of older adults to our local communities. Learn more https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival

With the Festival wrapping up this Sunday, we wanted to know how you celebrated or if you have plans this weekend. Tell us in the comments below.

The Local Women of the Year 2024 at the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024 Ceremony 😍

The NSW Local Women of the Year are chosen by Members of Parliament and are recognised for their contribution to their local community.

See the full list of recipients nsw.gov.au/nsw-women-of-year-awards

In 2023, Surfing NSW worked with 53 affiliated Surf Schools to identify and provide a nationally accredited coaching certification, on-the-job training, mentorship and employment to 150 women across NSW.

Since receiving a $100,000 grant through the 2022-23 Investing in Women Funding Program, Surfing NSW has empowered these women with Surfers Rescue 24/7 techniques, CPR, First Aid and trauma response, all of which has significantly enhanced gender quality in surfing.

"Our initiative opens new doors for women in the surfing industry, offering them both training and employment opportunities to develop their life-saving and ocean education skills, and our programs have particularly been focused on the growth of regional surfing communities,” Surfing NSW spokesperson Kathy Walton said.

Applications for the new round of the Investing in Women Funding Program are NOW OPEN. Visit nsw.gov.au/2024-investing-in-women-grant

[Alt text: Surf coaching course with trainer Katie Hookings]

You can help end period poverty in under 5 minutes.

Share your experiences with periods in the 2024 Big Bloody Survey, an initiative from Share the Dignity 👉 https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/end-period-poverty/bloody-big-survey-2024

This survey will look into attitudes and experiences around periods and will help shape Share the Dignity’s advocacy as they work to ensure menstrual equity for those who menstruate.

The NSW Women of the Year 2024 finalists meeting Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales 💃

Ones to Watch 2024 recipients

📸 Just some of the photos from the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024 Ceremony 👀

🧡 Today marks the beginning of Harmony Week (18-24 March), a time to recognise the diversity in our communities, and to celebrate inclusiveness, belonging and respect for all. 🧡

This week coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.

Our cultural diversity is at the heart of who we are as Australians, so take this week to listen and learn from one another and wear something orange to show your support!

To learn more about Harmony Week and how to get involved, visit: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

People with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence will form a new advisory body for NSW Government, as part of a strategic plan to address the issue, released yesterday at Parliament House.

“Eliminating domestic and family violence is a complex challenge that will require both systems reform and cultural change over the long term,” said Hannah Tonkin, NSW Women's Safety Commissioner.

To read the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Strategic Plan 2024–2027, visit https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/our-commissioners/womens-safety-commissioner.html