Compiled by Judy Macinolty
An exhibition at the NSW State Gallery running from June to the end of November 1998 includes an engraving of the first woman to circumnavigate the world - Jeanne Baret - a Frenchwoman who travelled in de Bougainville's scientific voyage to the Pacific in 1767 as a naturalist's assistant. (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 June 1998)
Melrose Press is planning to publish 2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th Century at the end of 1999 to celebrate the new millennium. The publisher's Directory of International Biography, with information on over 195,000 people, has been developed by research staff with the co-operation of outside groups and individuals who have provided names and basic information on people worthy of inclusion.
Dr Greta Dunglison, of the Children's Institute for Medical Research at Westmead, was recently awarded the inaugural prize and University medal for excellence in Medical Research. Her work, involving the development of a mouse model for studying an hereditary muscle weakness, will lead to better handling of Human Nemaline Myopathy and perhaps to a cure. Dr Dunglison is a graduate of University of Queensland. (Source: The University of Sydney News, 4 June 1998)
Australia Post has announced a grant of $100,000 to the Kathleen Cunningham Foundation for Breast Cancer Research to improve treatment options for rural women. The grant has been matched by the Commonwealth Government and the successful project will be announced in October. Australia Post is also assisting the Foundation by developing a breast cancer information kit.
Sydney University's Tracy Bluett (Science Honours) is to study for a semester on exchange at Turku University in Finland where she hopes to gain experience in her bid to reach the top in her chosen sport of orienteering. She recently competed in Britain at the World Championships and will represent Sydney University in August at the World University Championships in Norway. (Source: The University of Sydney News, 4 June 1998)
Dr Helen Rizos from Westmead Institute for Cancer Research recently won the Leo and Jenny Leukaemia and Cancer Foundation's prize for her work in seeking the genes involved in hereditary melanoma. Dr Rizos completed her PhD in plant genetic engineering at Macquarie University. (Source: The University of Sydney News, 4 June 1998)
The Directory of Women in Trades and Services 1998-1999, published by Incompany under the auspices of the Women's Information and Referral Exchange and partially funded by the Victorian Women's Trust lists over 200 women in a wide range of activities - mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, builders, designers, gardeners etc. Cost $20 from Incompany, P O Box 199, West Brunswick, Victoria 3055 or contact Julie McCormack (Phone/Fax (03) 9387 6978) or Sally Northfield (Phone: (03) 9481 7194); Email: sal@infoxchange.net.au
Finalists for the award of Outstanding Woman of the Year in Non-Traditional Areas, organised by the National Centre for Women, were honoured at a dinner in Melbourne on 7 May. Overall winner was Jacinta Thomas, a manager with Auto Brake Service; others were June Djiagween - Apprentice Fabricator/First Class Welder, Sati Ozbek - Cabinet Making Apprentice, Martina Calais - PhD in Electrical Engineering, Tracey Graeber - Building site supervisor, Larissa Deck - Research Assistant, Australian Maritime Research, Susan Yates - Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Shift Manager, Sabina Hannan - Principal Telecommunications Officer Grade Two. (Source: Gender Matters, Autumn 1998)
Karin Sheedy, former school teacher and currently NSW Executive Manager for the Australian Kidney Foundation, has been appointed to the board of the Police and Community Youth Clubs NSW Ltd. Karin's experience with the Australian Women's Hockey Association, in community services, in her own sports management business and through her membership of various government committees fits her well for this appointment made from The Women's Register, a compilation of women interested in appointment to government boards and committees in New South Wales.
(Source: Womenspace August 1988)
The NSW Department for Women has announced its new website: www.women.nsw.gov.au
The site provides information about the Premier's Council for Women, Grants Program, Information and Referral Service, Affirmative Action etc and offers links to other sites of relevance to women. Its email address is: dfw@women.nsw.gov.au
New appointments to the NSW Premier's Council for Women are Susan Biggs, Jo-Anne Bloch, Judy Mannering, Alison Peters, Neita Scott, Tracy Thomas and Kate Tully. (Source: Womenspace August 1988)
Sydney University veterinary science student Sarah Gill who is completing her thesis on paralysis in captive diamond pythons is the first person to be awarded a scholarship in honour of the late Dr Grahame Edgar. Sarah is a daughter of former WISENET convenor Caroline Polak Scowcroft. (Source: The University of Sydney News, 30 July 1998)
Dr Cynthia Mitchell from Sydney University's Department of Chemical Engineering has shared the BP Chairman's Award for Health, Safety and Environment '98 for her part in designing the Bulwer Island wetland - a low-cost alternative to minimise the impact of refinery activities next to Brisbane airport which also provides a home for at least 90 species of birds. Further planting of native trees, shrubs and ground cover will extend the diverse ecosystem as a bird shelter and as a recreational and educational site. (Source: The University of Sydney News, 6 August 1998)
Speaking at a lunch at Women's College, Sydney University, Professor Dale Spender drew attention to the benefits of the Internet for keeping in touch but warned that there was a danger that it could change work and education patterns with potentially disastrous consequences for women. Women could again become housebound, supervising the home schoolroom and working from home. As a result, the so-called 'suburban neurosis' of 20 to 30 years ago could re-emerge. (Source: The University of Sydney News 13 August 1998)
Copies of the recently released Victorian Government's Draft Action Plan for Women which deals with safety, health and well-being, economic security through employment and education opportunities, and leadership are available from the Office of Women's Affairs. Ph: (03) 9651 0530; Fax: (03) 9651 0533; email: owa@vdoj.vic.gov.au
The home page is at - http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/women. (Source: Women in Medical Science Newsletter, July 1998)
A recent paper reviews the latest literature regarding the food sources, potency, population intakes and known biological effects of phytoestrogens in humans. The article is published in J Clin Endocrinol Metab (1998) 83: 297-303. (Source: Women in Medical Science Newsletter, July 1998)
In response to the 'divisive language and policies' of the One Nation Party and its views 'against so many Australians either because they are different to the white Anglo-Saxon early settlers or because they need support due to some disadvantage....and its simplistic solutions to our nation's problems in the global economy', a loose coalition has been formed to combat the very real threat...which One Nation represents'. The group is called "The Coalition of Ordinary People for a Fair Go Australia". Information from Sue Lindsay, 37 Cavendish St, Stanmore NSW 2048. Fax: (02) 9551 3361. (Source: YWCA, 5-11 Wentworth Ave, Sydney 2010. Ph: (02) 9264 2451; Fax: (02) 9283 2485. Email: ywca-syd@zip.com.au
A database listing over 200 seminars, science fairs, summer schools, workshops and lectures on science, health, information technology, engineering, mathematics and the environment to be held in Australia and New Zealand between now and 2001 has been prepared by the Royal Society of New Zealand. It can be found at http://www.science.org/au/conf.htm. (Source: Australian Academy of Science Newsletter Number 41, July-Sep 1998)
Nice to see in the Newsletter of the Australian Academy of Science that one of the two Fellows who received honours in the Queen's birthday honours list was Emeritus Professor Mollie Holman of Monash University. On the other hand, all of the 12 new Fellows are men, as are all of the six new members of the Academy Council. In a list of scientific exchanges, eleven male scientists are to visit Germany, and twelve male scientists will visit Japan. As a non-scientist I have to ask if the Academy is basically a boys' club?
The Federal Government has produced the first edition of a leaflet, Community Business, to announce a Round Table meeting to bring corporate and community sectors together to discuss a number of issues through five working groups. The 23 members included only three women - Margaret Bell from Volunteering Australia, Elizabeth Cham from Philanthropy Australia and Ann McCallum from Lend Lease Foundation.
A leaflet announcing the sixth annual ACMAD conference - a one day conference at the Gazebo Hotel on September 16 - makes one wonder. Certainly lunch and a set of conference papers are included, but the cost is $495 for members and $625 for non-members. At least morning and afternoon tea have been 'proudly sponsored'.
News from Judy Harrison of the formation of the Russian Women's Science Association. The non-government, non-profit organisation aims to organise conferences and seminars, to support women's participation in national and international scientific events, to publicise grants and other possible financial support for women working in science and education, to support the promotion of women in their careers and in administration, and to establish contact with other women's organisations and professional and public organisations. There are about 600 members in more than forty cities of Russia and the former Soviet Union.
More information, in both Russian and English, is available on the website: http://gw.biophys.msu.ru/awse/
Contact: Association 'Women in Science and Education' (AWSE), Russia, 119899, Moscow Vorobjevy Gory Moscow State University, Biological Faculty Dept. Biophysics. Fax: (095) 9391115. E-mail: awse@mars.biophys.msu.ru
RMIT has produced an attractive booklet aimed at upper secondary students with a view to promoting engineering as a career, especially to young women. Titled Engineers are ... Everywhere, the booklet features profiles of students or graduates from each department. It provides a definition of the profession, lists the range of courses available, suggests the skills which can be developed and the possible range of future job opportunities. Contact: Margaret Wyrill, Equity Co-ordinator/Women in Engineeering, Faculty of Engineering, RMIT University, GPO Box 2467V, Melbourne, Victoria 3001. Phone: (03) 9925 2342, Fax: (03) 9925 3323, E-mail: m.wyrill@rmit.edu.au
Wisenet has started an affiliation with Australian Science Communicators whereby we swap publications and information. For example, Science in the Pub is held on the last Wednesday of the month in the Duke of Edinburgh, 152 Harris St, Pyrmont from 7 to 9 pm. It is possible to park at Star City.
In the last Newsletter I particularly liked the lines from Alf Conlon -
'info, info everywhere,
and not a chance to think'.
(Contact: Robyn Stutchbury, Peripatus Productions Pty Ltd, 1 Carisbrook St, Land Cove 2066. Ph: (02) 9427 6747; Fax: (02) 9418 9605; e-mail: rstutch@ozemail.com.au
The 1999 Women in Science Conference entitled 'Living Science' will be held in Dunedin from 30 June to 2 July. The conference will have a number of keynote addresses and parallel sessions so that participants can share ideas on a number of topics.
Speakers include: Nancy Lane, Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge; Anita Borg, founding director Xerox PARC Institute for Women and Technology; Helen Anderson, Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, Wellington; Christine Rimene, Ngai Tahu Health Research, Rosalind Gibson, Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Otago; Gretchen Kivell, first woman president NZ Institute of Professional Engineers; Linda Holloway, Asst Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences Division, University of Otago. Contact: Helen Hancox - email - helen.hancox@xtra.co.nz
On-line site for expressions of interest
The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (of which Wisenet is a member) has urged parents of secondary school and college students to talk to staff about the crisis in the supply of qualified science and maths teachers, and to raise the problem with candidates for election to parliament. Teaching science and maths at school level does not appear to be an attractive career choice some 52 per cent preferring to change to another job according to a report in 1977. Contact: M.T.Gascoigne (02) 6257 2891.
Watch out for the 4th annual Executive Woman of the Year Award to be announced on October 23. It has been established by Women's Network Australia Pty Ltd to recognise outstanding achievements by professional women in eight fields - small business, corporate, public sector, Cultural performance and arts, humanities and community, medical and science, tourism, rural. Last year's overall winner was Kathryn Tayles, General Manager of environmental policy at Rio Tinto Limited. Contact: Lynette Palmen Phone: (07) 3255 2988, Fax: (07) 3255 2926.
Congratulations are due to the hard-working lobbyists for the inclusion of women's water polo in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Although established internationally by 1984 with a FINA World Cup competition every two years and World Swimming Championships every four years there was no Olympic inclusion. Protests complete with banners, T shirts and chanting in Rome at the World Championships, though picked up by the media, proved insufficient to sway Olympic officials. A promise made in 1995 was denied the following year so protests began again. Taken up by the Press and the general public, the campaign made inroads by embarrassing officialdom until the long awaited decision was made in 1997. (Source: Activate for Life, July-Oct 1998, Australian Sports Commission)
Gratifying to see the Sydney Morning Herald Employment section (5.9.98) featuring the still small numbers of women in the building industry. The article, She'll be right, mate, claimed women are more motivated, hard working, conscientious, neater, cleaner, and better at communicating and negotiating and will improve standards, management and safety practices and customer relations. Profiles and interviews with Melissa McCafferty (Project co-ordinator), Pamela Jack, (head partner for a construction group in a major law firm), Kelly Flannery, (apprentice bricklayer), and Leslie Butterfield (business development manager for Lend Lease Property Services) illustrate the interesting article. For more information, contact the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), GPO Box 1900, Sydney 2001.
On The Level, Vol 4, Issue 2, Reproductive Choices is available from Healthrites Publications, Family Planning NSW, 328-336 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield NSW 2131. Phone: (02) 9716 6099 Fax: (02) 9716 6164. The issue deals with new developments and dilemmas in contraceptive choice and looks at the issues of fertility, contraception and reproductive health in the '90s. Cost: $12. Other OTL publications are - Overseas Development, Men and Sexuality, Affirming Diversity, Peer Education, Culture Racism and Sexuality, Sexuality and Communication, Sexuality Education, Physical Disability, HIV & AIDS, Children and Sexuality, Women's Health, Intellectual Disability, Youth and Sexuality. $40 for 4 issues; $135 for the full set.
YWCA of Australia published a paper, Women and Tax Reform, in September 1988. It is just as relevant today in the post-election period and worthy of study. Written by Eva Cox and members of the YWCA Social Responsibility Committee it includes a number of interesting statistical tables and a glossary of terms. I imagine it is still available.
Professor Suzanne Cory, Director of the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute and Professor of Medical Biology at Melbourne University is one of four winners of the prestigious 1988 Australia Prize. Professor Cory has been recognised for her work on a gene responsible for the most common type of lymphona, follicular lymphona. (Source: Gazette, University of Melbourne, Spring 1998)
In Britain, 1200 employers have been asked to back a charter outlining a fair deal for women scientists, engineers and technologists.. The Science Alliance Charter calls for a commitment to overcoming the male image and culture of science by removing discrimination over pay, career development, harassment etc. The Science Alliance represents over 200,000 scientists and technologists and comprises a grouping of the Association of University Teachers, the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, Manufacturing Science Finance, and the Institution for Professionals, Managers and Specialists.
(Source: Chemistry in Britain, May 1998)
Long-time WISENET member, engineer Dr Adele Milne, is working on a solar power project for Western Power in Perth. An article on this topic is planned for a future issue.
Judy Mackinolty is a retired academic historian and teacher who helps WISENET.