Interview
with Diane Webster
Convenor of WiseNet Melbourne
Interviewed by Jo O’Neil
JON: Diane, thank you for taking over as Convenor of WISENET Melbourne. Tell us what made you decide to do so and what you hope to achieve in this role?
DW: I decided to get more involved as a way of meeting people. Organisations like WISENET attract a large number of fascinating women from a broad range of backgrounds. Having an active role allows me to get to know these women, and in some cases to work closely with them. What I hope to achieve as convenor is much the same. I’d like to facilitate contact between members. I’d also like to increase the membership base in Victoria to help the branch become a more vibrant and active organisation.
JON: Before you came to Australia, you were very involved with WISENET’s New Zealand counterpart, AWIS (The Association for Women in the Sciences). Could you summarise the main similarities and differences between the two organisations?
DW: WISENET and AWIS are very similar organisations with very similar goals and objectives. Both organisations are dependent on a small number of dedicated women for survival, and small to moderate size core memberships. It’s been interesting to see WISENET rotate the National Executive to Canberra from Sydney. AWIS made a similar move some years ago and the National Exec now rotates between the branches on a 3 yearly basis. Every time the committee moves to a new city a fresh batch of dedicated women emerge and infuse the organisation with new energy. An additional bonus is that when the committee moves it leaves behind a large and active branch.
JON: Since you have taken on the job of Melbourne Convener, with the help of Alena Glaister, the monthly meetings of the Monash node have been working well. Do you think that pattern could also work well for WISENET members in Carlton/Parkville and other areas of Melbourne?
DW: I think dependence on a small membership base is one of the greatest challenges facing WISENET because of the geographical size of Australia. Jo, your idea to set up small group meetings on various campuses around Melbourne is an excellent solution to this, and it has been working very well. We’ve seen a lot of interest and energy come from the meetings at Monash, and this is a good opportunity to thank Alena and Jenny for the key role they are playing in organising the meetings. I’d like to get similar groups started in the Carton/Parkville area and at the Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct in Prahran. Their success will depend on finding a core group of women to get the groups started and work towards expanding to a sustainable group size.
JON: Tell us about your own background in Science and your current research interests and aspirations.
DW: I’ve wanted to be a scientist for as long as I can remember. I got my first taste of Botany at University and I’ve been totally fascinated by the molecular aspects of plants ever since. After completing a PhD in molecular plant virology at Otago University NZ), I took up a postdoctoral position with Monash University working as a visiting scientist with Plant Industry, CSIRO in Adelaide. The project was to develop a plant-based measles vaccine that could address the limitations of the current vaccine. We’ve developed a successful model system using tobacco and mice, and our current work is focusing on development of practical vaccine system. In 2001 I moved to Melbourne to join the rest of the team and my main role now is as the project leader. I enjoy the project I’m currently working on and I hope to continue in this area but I’d like to find a better balance between the time I spend talking to my computer and time at the bench.
Jo O’Neil was convenor of WISENET Melbourne in 2001 – 2002.