Today was the first day of semester. I also had two functions to attend in Brisbane: one as a delegate to a women's equity forum, the other as host on behalf of the ASPG, a parliamentary study group, our lunch to acknowledge the 100 years since (white) women were given the right to stand in Queensland Parliament. We also recognised that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island sisters were granted those rights much later and that there is much to do to redress this. (We resolved to meet again in 45 years time, for the next centenary due.)
I am fortunate in my job that the things that aren't my day job, but closely related, involve meeting people who share equally my passion for making the world a better place. One couldn't help but come away from today feeling the energy and the passion from women from all walks of life: union, parliamentarians, past and present, students, teachers, women for whom the best we can be matters.
It is on these days that I feel like we can achieve anything. So much to hear from the lives and experiences from retired members Liz Cunningham and Yvonne Chapman, the former Speaker Fiona Simpson, the Deputy Speaker Grace Grace, the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk and keynote Professor Anne Tiernan with a welcome to country by Aunty Lynn Matsen.
The morning started with equally inspiring leader, Ged Kearney of the ACTU. And rounded out with an encore by the Brisbane Combined Unions Choir...
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| The Premier, Prof Tiernan, Deputy Speaker Grace |
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| Former Speaker Simpson |
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| Ms Yvonne Chapman |
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| Some of the guests in the Premiers' Hall, Parliament House |
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| Ged Kearney leader of the ACTU |
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| The Choir and a song about...a certain speech about...misogyny |
After a day like today, really, we really can do anything, everything and all for the very best. We will.
[Camera : Canon EOS 60D, 28-80mm, 10.21am, 12.46pm-1.47pm, 3.36pm-5.53pm]
