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HERSTORY
Formation
of the Queensland Women’s Health Network commenced in 1986, following a
National Community Health conference in Adelaide. Women worked hard
visioning the Network and produced the document Health Needs of
Queensland Women. As with many community based agencies there was a
gap in the development of the group for a short period of time but
fortunately enthusiasm was regenerated following the 1990 National
Community Health conference in Sydney. Women at the Brisbane Women’s
Health Centre undertook the project of establishing a statewide network.
With no funding, visioning again occurred and progressed to the production
of a newsletter, which enabled women to share their achievements and
thoughts on the multitude of issues surrounding women’s health in
Queensland.
In 1993
the Network was eventually awarded a $21,000 grant to enable the
employment of a part-time worker to undertake the task of keeping
Queensland women informed on health matters. Many activities have
taken place in the years since the formalisation of the Network including:
*
research
projects
*
production of a newsletter (three times a year)
*
working
with other community agencies to host forums
*
leading
delegations representing women’s issues to various Government bodies
*
participation in public action campaigns
*
development of website
*
participation in Regional Women’s Health Forums across the state
Following
the relocation of the Network office to Townsville in January 2003, the
Network has consolidated its core work and, through the development of a
new Website, enhanced its ability to serve the health needs of women
throughout the State. As always, the Network will continue to respond to
the expressed needs of its membership.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
This year,
2002/2003, has seen the Network improve the effectiveness of its
traditional methods of networking (i.e., Newsletter and Website) and
expand into other areas with a view to contacting and supporting more
agencies and more workers in the various aspects of Women’s Health.
Toward the
end of last year, our Coordinator Lynda Dunn, resigned to take up a Social
Work position in Ireland. Lynda’s commitment to the work of the
Queensland Women’s Health Network meant that she often worked more than
the 12 hours per week for which she was paid, and we thank her for all the
time and energy and creativity she put into the task of keeping the
committee on track and furthering the work of the Network.
In December
2002, we conducted interviews for Lynda’s replacement and subsequently
appointed Jeane Griffiths to the position. It had been decided by
Management that, in terms of optimal worker-support and overall efficiency
of the Network, it would be important to appoint a worker who lived in the
same geographic area as the Chairperson. The position was advertised in
Townsville and, also, on email lists which have a focus on Women’s
Services.
Fortunately,
Jeane Griffiths from Townsville, submitted a strong application and
applied herself exceptionally well in the interview. Jeane brings to the
job the kinds of skills we need at this time. Her years of experience in
layout and design with a large regional newspaper, then the production of
a monthly newsletter for a small electrical company, plus the fact that
she single-handedly designed and maintained the website for the Townsville
International Women’s Conference (July 2002), made her an excellent
choice.
Our task, as
a Network, is to facilitate networking between Services working to improve
women’s health and wellbeing in
Queensland,
and we are funded to do that by Queensland Health through the production
of a Newsletter three times a year. In 2001/2002 we had experimented with
producing a small journal in place of the traditional newsletter but there
was a strong feeling among our members that the newsletter format was much
more effective for our purposes. Consequently, we have reverted to the
newsletter format and, this year, Jeane has produced three high quality
newsletters which have attracted very positive feedback from members and
others in the community.
The
old QWHN website, which had been neglected for several years, has now been
replaced by a brand new site – designed and produced by our coordinator.
Congratulations Jeane!
This year,
we have expanded the work of the Network in an attempt to have more
personal contact with Services and Service-providers in different regions
of Queensland. We offered Women’s Health Services throughout
Queensland
the option of holding a Regional Women’s Health Forum in their area. The
QWHN regional representative would be available to assist with the
planning and we would sponsor our Chairperson and regional rep to attend.
Our sponsorship would also include catering for the event.
Several
agencies have taken up our offer and, so far, we have been associated with
Regional Women’s Health Forums in Emerald, Townsville,
Mt.
Isa and Doomagee, with a forum also planned for Cherbourg in the new year.
Since the
last AGM when I was elected Chairperson, I have been privileged to lead a
small, but very effective, team. I take this opportunity to thank the
regional reps who constitute the Management team of this Queensland
Women’s Health Network:
Shirley
Slann from Mt. Isa
Gillian
Myers from Brisbane
Sandra
O’Brien from Rockhampton
Lillian Gray
from Cherbourg
(and myself)
Betty McLellan from Townsville
Also, on
behalf of the Management team, I thank our new coordinator, Jeane
Griffiths, for her patience with us, her commitment to the work of the
Network and, also, the quite considerable skills and insights she has
brought to the position.
As we
approach the expiry date of our current funding (June 2004), we thank
Queensland Health for their support over the years and signal that we will
be reapplying for funding to continue this very important work into the
future.
Betty
McLellan
Chairperson
COORDINATOR’S REPORT
I took
over as coordinator of the Queensland Women’s Health Network in January,
2003. Since I started I have been working closely with the Management
Committee on a number of tasks. It has been a steep, but very interesting,
learning curve for me.
The
Network volunteered to be part of a new reporting trial (PMF) with Qld
Health. This has proven to be challenging, but effective. While there has
been a lot of time-consuming research and collaboration involved, I
believe the finished product will help to keep the Network on track and
organised.
After
surveying our members, it was decided by the Management Committee to
change the format of our journal to a newsletter. Although the initial
set-up and layout of our first newsletter, for the April/May period, was
quite time-consuming as we paid particular attention to each and every
detail, I feel that the end product is something that we can all be proud
of. We have received a great deal of positive feedback, with our members
telling us that they are enjoying the new format, finding it easy to read
and informative.
We have
also just completed our website. To keep our image uniform, it was decided
to make the website in keeping with our newsletter in regards to design
and layout. I believe that the website will be an additional useful tool
to aid us with our goal of strengthening links between women by providing
access to information and support. In addition to the website, I have been
utilising the convenience of emails to inform members of
events/seminars/forums etc. that they may not have known about otherwise.
The feedback I have received from members in regards to this has been very
positive, proving that we are doing what we set out to do, providing
access to information and support.
I have
also had the opportunity to be involved in the Regional Women’s Health
Forums that the Network is facilitating around the state. On attending the
forum held in Townsville, I was able to witness first hand, the importance
of networking opportunities for the services and women in general.
In
summing up, I would like to thank the Management Committee for their
focus, hard work and dedication over the last ten months, and for giving
me the opportunity to be involved in such an important Network.
Jeane
Griffiths
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN
AND
ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2002/2003
In line
with our Agreement with Queensland Health, our role is that of
facilitating networking between all agencies when requested. Since women’s
health in its broadest sense is concerned with the physical, mental,
social and spiritual health of women, our aim is to make contact with as
many agencies as possible – Government and Non-government, Indigenous and
Non-Indigenous, as well as those offering support multicultural and
refugee women, women with disabilities and lesbian women.
Already
this year, we have made contact with Hospital employees, Women’s Health
Centres, Community Health Centres, Domestic Violence Services, Sexual
Assault Services, Mental Health Agencies, Disability Services, Migrant
Services, Multi-Cultural Support Groups and Life Line. Details of the core
ways in which QWHN attempts to facilitate networking for the purpose of
improving women’s health and wellbeing are listed below.
NEWSLETTER
Our four
monthly journal was changed to a three-colour, glossy newsletter at the
start of 2003. We have produced two newsletters in this format so far with
the third due out in early December. 2000 copies of each edition of the
QWHN NEWS are distributed around the state. The April/May edition of the
QWHN News was an introduction to our new format, detailing the role of the
network and our participation in projects across the country, while the
October/November edition focused on the topic “Women As Carers”, working
in collaboration with the Queensland Council of Carers.
The
response to our newsletter, from our members has been extremely positive
with comments such as:
“Thank
you for sending me your very newsy newsletter.”
“I really
like the new format, very easy to read and informative.”
“Was
wondering if you could include information on our upcoming event in your
terrific newsletter?”
“Thank
you for the newsletter. I found the information and stories relating to
women as carers particularly useful. Keep up the good work.”
WEBSITE
Our
website has just been completed. We have tried to create a uniform look,
keeping the website format along the same lines as the newsletter. The
website will enable us to provide up to date and topical information for
our members and all women. We are also in the process of including a
Discussion Forum section so that women can voice their opinions and share
information with each other.
We have
received much positive feedback on the website in the few weeks since it
has been published to the internet. With comments such as…..
“This is a magnificent web-site.....I just love it!!!!!”
“Thank you for adding the website listing for the Leura V International
Breast Cancer Conference”
“Well done. Looks great!”
"I just
wanted to let you know that the website looks absolutely fabulous! I love
the running message along the bottom, the bold feminist colours -
everything looks great and works very efficiently. Well done."
“We really like your website and will add your link to ours. Well done.”
“The website is great!!! It's colourful and alive and very informative.”
“Very nice, well done!!!”
“Just visited your website - it looks great.”
REGIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH FORUMS
Another of the tasks
we have begun to undertake as part of our ongoing commitment to women’s
health is to facilitate Regional Women's Health Forums across the state.
Organised by local agencies and assisted by the Regional Rep for that
particular area, the forums have proven to be a useful networking tool and
the response to them has been extremely positive. To date we have held
three forums across the state.
EMERALD WOMEN’S HEALTH
FORUM:
The
Domestic Violence Service of Central Queensland hosted our first Women’s
Community Health Forum in Emerald, attended by Chairperson Betty McLellan
and Central Queensland Representative Sandra O’Brien. Betty gave a paper
on Global Violence and it’s effect on women’s emotional and mental health.
The lively discussion which followed led directly into the next session
which focused on the effects of domestic and family violence on women and
children in the home. After lunch, we had a structured but informal
discussion around the topic “Working with Male Perpetrators of Domestic
Violence”.
This session
was attended by men and women who work with perpetrators and/or with Anger
Management groups in the Central Queensland region.
In addition
to the input and discussion, the opportunity for networking was very much
appreciated by Queensland Women’s Health Network members. Agencies and
groups represented at the Forum
were the
Domestic Violence Service, Sexual Assault, Mental Health Queensland,
Family Support, Community Corrections, QCWA and Life Line.
Our visit
coincided with the Tenth Anniversary celebrations of the Domestic Violence
Service and we were pleased to be able to offer congratulations to
Coordinator, Robyn Cross, and the rest of the hard-working team in Emerald
at the Dinner/Dance which had been organised to mark the occasion. What a
night we had!
TOWNSVILLE WOMEN’S
HEALTH FORUM:
The theme for Townsville was “Working Together for a Healthier Community”.
There were approximately fifty women in attendance over the course of the
day. Our Chairperson, Betty McLellan, was the keynote speaker presenting a
wonderful paper entitled, “The
World Is Not My 'Home': A feminist ethical inquiry into women's experience
of Alienation”.
The Forum was opened by Townsville’s Deputy Mayor, Ann Bunnell and
included a lively panel discussion on the topic, “How is your Service
Working to Improve Women’s Health?” Other areas represented at the Forum
by speakers were the: Multi-Cultural Support Group, Mental Health
Services, Community Health, Family Planning Queensland, Sexual Health
Services, I.M.P.S., Breast Screening Clinic, Vietnam Veteran’s Wives
Support Group, Maternity Unit, Townsville Hospital, North Queensland
Combined Women’s Services, North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource
Service, Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, and Primary
Health Care.
MT ISA AND DOOMADGEE
WOMEN’S HEALTH FORUMS:
On 3rd
October, 2003, Betty McLellan, Pauline Woodbridge , Women’s Services
Network (WESNET) Queensland Representative, and myself made the seven hour
drive to Doomadgee from Mount Isa. At Doomadgee, Aboriginal Community
Health hosted the Regional Women’s Health Forum on their premises. Many
women discussed the issues that were facing them as indigenous women
living in a rural and remote community. The Forum was well attended by
women and children and women discussed the need to form a Women’s group
for Doomadgee. The group agreed that Doomadgee Aboriginal Community
Health and the Women’s Shelter would work together to have the women meet
regularly. A video presentation “Who’s the Loser” and domestic and family
violence resources and information including Queensland Women’s Health
Network and Newsletters were presented to the women. It was a wonderful
women’s gathering and we thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the women
at Doomadgee and appreciated them sharing their personal experiences and
concerns with us. The workshop concluded with Pauline cooking a delicious
sausage sizzle, which was enjoyed by all. The women commented that they
would like to see more forums being held in Doomadgee.
Queensland Women’s Health Network in
conjunction with WESNET (Women’s Services Network) “Australia’s peak
women’s organisation working to eliminate domestic and family violence”,
held a combined Forum in Mount Isa on 6th
October 2003. The Forum was well represented with 30 people in
attendance. WESNET’s consultation was “Examining Progress in Accommodation
& Support for Women experiencing Domestic Violence. Julie Oberin (WESNET
Research Team), Wendy Weeks (WESNET Research Team) , Pauline Woodbridge (WESNET
Qld Rep), Betty McLellan (QWHN Chairperson) and myself (WESNET Indigenous
Rep) were in attendance at the Mount Isa Forum, which was held at the
Terrace Gardens Function Room. There were numerous speakers from the
different agencies in Mount Isa who presented on the day. The research
team consulted with services to identify:
-Service models for accommodation,
outreach and support
- Preferred models (and why)
- Principles and/or features of effective
and/ or innovative models
- Risks and costs (for women service
users and for service providers)
- Options for women who choose not to
access crisis accommodation
- Major problems or difficulties faced by
women
- Major challenges and issues faced by
services.
- Recommendations for the future.
MENTAL
HEALTH FORUM
Sandra
O’Brien, our Central Queensland Representative attended this forum
organised by the Queensland Alliance and held in Biloela in June. It was a
forum to promote the new mindIT website http:/qld.mentalhealth.org.au. An
internet-based information and communication tool that provides a resource
of current mental health information, connects people from across
Queensland, particularly those in regional, rural and remote areas and
develops and strengthens the capacity of individuals and organisations via
discussion, information sharing and participation. Sandra found the Forum
extremely informative and was able to get first-hand information on how to
operate the wonderfully interactive website. The Queensland Alliance were
very welcoming and appreciative of her attendance. It was a positive
networking opportunity, with Sandra making some good contacts for the
Network and using the Forum to distribute our newsletters.
NATIONAL
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FORUM
FOR THE
ELIMINATION OF RACISM AND
PROMOTION
OF CULTURAL HARMONY
Our
Chairperson, Betty McLellan, was invited to be a keynote speaker at this
Forum in Sydney as a representative of the Queensland Women’s Health
Network. The Forum, organised by the National Bahai Working Group for
Racial and Cultural Harmony, addressed issues of racism in Australian
society. Because racism has the capacity to impact heavily on women’s
mental and emotional health, Betty was thrilled to accept their invitation
and be a part of the Forum. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Network
to be involved.
COLLABORATION WITH WOMEN’S
SERVICES NETWORK
(WESNET
INC.)
Earlier
this year, representatives of WESNET requested permission to attend our
meetings in Brisbane (5 April), to outline their plans to visit two or
three centres in Queensland for the purpose of gathering best-practice
information from Women’s Services in those areas. At the meeting they
suggested ways in which the QWHN might assist their project. After a
period of brain-storming, our reps from Mt Isa and Townsville offered to
liaise with WESNET in developing a program of visits to Indigenous and
Non-Indigenous agencies in Western and Northern regions. Our offer was met
with much enthusiasm and culminated in representatives of WESNET attending
the Regional Women’s Health Forums in both Mt Isa and Doomadgee, and also
conducting meetings in Townsville. The cooperation between WESNET and QWHN
proved to be a very worthwhile experience for all involved.
COMMITTEE
Dr. Betty McLellan - Chairperson and North Queensland
Representative
Sandra O’Brien – Treasurer/Secretary and Central
Queensland Representative
Gillian Myers - South Queensland Representative
Shirley Slann - West Queensland Representative
Lillian Gray – South East Queensland Representative
NORTH
QUEENSLAND REGIONAL REPORT
The
Northern region which stretches from Mackay in the south to Ingham in the
north, west to Hughenden and east to Palm Island represents a hive of
activity in terms of women’s health. Workers in Women’s Health Centres,
Hospitals, Family Planning, Sexual Health, Domestic Violence, Sexual
Assault, Aged Care, Mental Health and Disability Services work tirelessly
to improve women’s health and wellbeing.
In November
2002, I participated in a very successful weekend workshop organised by
the Women’s Health Centre in Mackay. The two days which offered serious
reflection on women’s emotional and physical health together with
opportunities for creativity in the arts, yoga, meditation, relaxation,
etc. began both mornings with Tai Chi led by Suzanne McLauchlan. The
Saturday evening program was filled with music, dancing and lots of
laughter.
Last year, I
paid two visits to Palm Island where I spent time speaking with Palm
Island Community Council members as well as workers at Kootana Women’s
Centre. The work on Palm Island is difficult but is proceeding well.
In
Townsville/Thuringowa, the Women’s Health section of the North Queensland
Combined Women’s Services staffed by Penny Jansen and Dale Preston, is
stretched to the limit with calls for health information and counselling
services. As the Health Promotions worker, Penny is organizing a Women’s
Community Health Forum involving Indigenous and Non-Indigenous workers
from Townsville’s vast array of Health Services, around the theme:
“WOMEN’S HEALTH 2003: Working Together for a Healthier Community”. It
promises to be a very energetic and informative program, which I’ll be
pleased to report on in our next Queensland Women’s Health Network
Newsletter.
In
Townsville/Thuringowa, the Women's Health section of the North Queensland
Combined Women's Services staffed by Penny Jansen and Dale Preston, is
stretched to the limit with calls for health information and counselling
services. In her role as Health Promotions worker, Penny organised a
very successful Regional Women's Health Forum earlier in the year,
involving Indigenous and Non-Indigenous workers from Townsville's vast
array of Health Services. The theme was: WOMEN'S HEALTH 2003:
Working Together for a Healthier Community.
Betty
McLellan
WEST
QUEENSLAND REGIONAL REPORT
This year
has been a very busy year. Queensland Women’s Health Network met twice
this year. The first meeting was in
Brisbane
during the 3rd National Homeless Persons conference which was
held by the Australian Federation of Homeless
Organisations (AFHO). The conference was well attended and it was very interesting
to hear the many speakers talk about the many issues facing homeless
persons. Not being homeless is not just about having a roof over your
head. It was interesting to hear the many different interpretations of
homelessness.
I attended
the Gold Coast Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Conference which was
held at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast for three days. There were
many International and National Speakers. It was an excellent networking
opportunity for workers in the field to be able to share information,
knowledge and resources and to support each other.
I also
attended the DVCAN (Domestic Violence Court Assistance Network) Conference
in Brisbane earlier in the year. The conference was excellent and
discussion was held around the changes to the Domestic Violence Protection
Act which was amended on the 10th March, 2003. There have been
quite a few changes to the legislation and the name of the act has since
changed to “The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act (1989)”. New
types of relationships are now covered under the legislation. These
relationships now include Family Relationships, Intimate Personal
Relationships, Informal Care Relationships as well as Spousal.
During
Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Week held this year in May 2003,
there were a number of activities held around the state. However, Allied
Health in conjunction with Nawamba House, North Queensland Domestic
Violence Resource Service held Women’s Health Nights in Camooweal and
Dajarra. Both communities were well attended by women and children.
Positive feedback was received by both communities.
Shirley Slann
SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND REGIONAL REPORT
A
busy year working with the Chair and Coordinator to meet the requirements
of the Queensland Health reporting framework and trying to ensure the
Network is established on firm ground. It’s good to see the commitment of
the Committee and Coordinator over the past year in initiating the
Regional Women’s Health Forums and new newsletter format - lets hope we
can continue to build our membership, increase involvement from women
around Queensland and find new ways to work together and promote
opportunities for women to share information and support one another in
maintaining a women's voice in health
Gillian
Myers
CENTRAL
QUEENSLAND REGIONAL REPORT
2003 has
been a very busy year for me. The Queensland Women’s Health Network
teleconferences keep us up to date with everything but the face to face
meetings are certainly much better. Somehow it seems a lot easier to
discuss the agenda effectively. We are very lucky to have Betty on board
as our chairperson, her enthusiasm is contagious! The Regional Women’s
Health Forum that the Network was involved with in Emerald was very well
attended, and a great chance for networking. The Emerald Domestic Violence
Resource Service looked after us very well, and a pleasurable time was had
by all. I also attended a Mental Health Forum for the Network at Biloela.
The organisers, the Queensland Alliance were most appreciative of my
attendance and I found the Forum very interesting. I was also present at
the Women’s Legal Forum in Brisbane, at which Ruth Busch was a speaker.
She is a wonderful speaker and so informative.
My
additional involvement in a wide range of groups such as Relationships
Australia, Life Line, and the Queensland Country Women’s Association
provides me with a great opportunity to further the Queensland Women’s
Health Networks' cause. I use my attendance at the other organisation's
meetings for networking, I am always on the look out for new members, and
have had some positive results. Our newsletter is very well received at
these functions, and I always ensure that I have a bundle of them to take
along with me to hand out. I also have several places in and around
Rockhampton that I regularly deliver our newsletters to. They are always
very pleased to receive copies of our flyers and newsletters to place in
their waiting rooms as their clients enjoy reading them. Cheers.
Sandra O’Brien
SOUTH-WEST QUEENSLAND REGIONAL REPORT
I live in
the community of Cherbourg which is about 300kms north-west of
Brisbane
and has a population of 2000.
Cherbourg
is celebrating its centenary next year and we’ve been busy organising
celebrations. I’m happy to report that we’ll be hosting a Regional Women’s
Health Forum as part of those celebrations. After speaking with Miss
Chrissie Stewart, the Manager of Community Health in Cherbourg, we have
decided that the best time to have the Regional Women's Health Forum would
be 20th-21st-22nd of February 2004 or about that time. Another important
step forward for the women of
Cherbourg
is that in October we had 65 women turn up for mammograms compared to 2001
when only about 40 women had Mammograms. Promotions on regular pap smears
targeting women between the ages of 40 and 70 will occur in the New Year.
And I’m sure the response will be just as positive.
Lillian Gray |