First lady inspires leading women

What has a famous First Lady got to do with helping the disadvantaged in Australia? The answer was revealed at the International Women’s Day breakfast held at University House on 8 March.

More than 80 women from ANU, the University of Canberra, the public service, and the business community attended the event organised by the University’s Equity and Diversity Unit as part of the Women of Influence speaker series.

Ms Kerrie Tim, an Indigenous senior executive in leadership development from the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination in the federal Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, was guest speaker.

Ms Tim told the group that she found continuing inspiration from a meeting between her mother and Eleanor Roosevelt in 1943, explaining that both women worked hard to champion the rights of under-privileged people.

“Anyone who actually takes on the responsibility to reach a proposed outcome, is a leader, rather than exercising power per se.” she said,

Ms Tim also related some advice she had been given by former Department of Aboriginal Affairs head, Charles Perkins, when she began working for the public service.

“He taught me how to work with the bureaucracy and to tread new fields, break new ground, and do things in the shortest possible time in the best possible way for the greatest number of people.”

Ms Tim has worked in the public sector for 20 years, including for the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services and its predecessor, ATSIC, the Australian Public Service Commission, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Education.

Her international experience includes representing the Australian government in discussions in Canada, the Philippines, the United States and leading peer counselling workshops on ending racism in Israel, New Zealand and South Africa.

Professor Marie Carroll, Director, Quality Enhancement and Statistical Services, opened the breakfast, which she described as a chance to celebrate women’s achievements and to reflect on the hurdles women still face.

“It provides us with an opportunity to recognise and reflect on the lives and achievements of women, their contribution to society and how far women have progressed. It’s also a time to focus our attention on issues that continue to affect many women both in Australia and the world, whether it be human rights, access to education, equality in the workplace, or discrimination.”

Previous speakers at the annual event include the head of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Professor Penny Sackett, the John Curtin School of Medical Research head, Professor Judith Whitworth, and federal Labor MP Dr Carmen Lawrence.

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On Campus March 2006:

Homecoming for new Chancellor

Legal minds provide input for courses

World award for geneticist

Information highway heads to Kioloa

Falling leaves, lifted spirits

Moments in the sun

Energy sparks Chinese interest

New ensemble at School of Music

Green skills bound for national stage

Training open to all staff

Hats off to graduates

Joint traineeship doubles rewards

Briefs

Meet Rachel Vance in People@ANU