International Bulletin - December 2001
News from PPSEAWA Australia Inc.
 Pictured at the PPSEAWA Australia National Meetings in May of 2001 are (left to right) Second vice President, Coral Fleming: Life Member and retiring First Vice President, Kaylin Simpson Lee and First Vice President Joan Elliston. |
PPSEAWA Australia held its National Meetings in May 2001. These included a seminar Showcasing Volunteers, National Committee Meeting and Annual General Meeting.
We were fortunate to be able to welcome the executive members of the International Council as they met for discussions in Sydney at the same time.
A reception was held at The Women's Club where the president of the PPSEAWA International Council HRH Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho of Tonga gave a short address.
A highlight of the meetings was the Seminar Showcasing Volunteers. The Seminar was opened by Sue Goss representing Robyn Henderson, Director General NSW Department for Women who advised that there were more women than men giving time to unpaid voluntary work, doing things to help others. Active citizens build communities.
The keynote speaker was Margaret Bell from CIVICUS and International Volunteers Association, an international society seeking answers to problems - women's rights, indigenous people and those with disabilities. Margaret stressed that we are all part of the civil society and that an act of volunteering is an act in which we can live fully. There is no greater gift to leave children or grandchildren that the knowledge that their parents/grandparents have made a difference. Volunteering has moved from the Lady Bountiful sort to the backbone of the country. Volunteering is a conscious effort to put something right and make a positive contribution - to make a difference.
The panel of speakers who followed included five high school students who participated in very different volunteer activities. Mimi represented her school on the Student Representative Council at local, district and state level, while also being involved in working as an interpreter with the Chinese Australian Service Society. Mimi wants to change the world! Wenny is also involved in the Student Representative Council and spent much time working to establish a Movie Club at her school. Julia established a link between her school and a school for the blind. Meredith is a lifesaver at her local beach and Imogen gives service at her local hospital with a group of children who garden and visit patients.
Speakers from the Country Women's Association, YWCA and Guides Australia, (all Corporate members of PPSEAWA), Amnesty International, St John's Anglican Church, Darlinghurst (Kings Cross) and Opportunity International highlighted the work of volunteers within their structures.
The day was stimulating, all present learnt much about volunteering and were encouraged to continue in or maybe take up new volunteer activities.
The Annual General meeting of PPSEAWA Australia saw the election of a new committee. We were honoured to welcome the President of the PPSEAWA International Council HRH Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho of Tonga, 1st vice President Valerie Hogan, 2nd Vice President Florence Kelly and Treasurer Lillian Jasko.
In her address Princess Nanasipau'u commented that communication enables unity and unity empowers - you are able to make a difference.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Princess Nanasi of a Certificate and Badge of Life Membership of PPSEAWA Australia to Miss Kaylin Simpson Lee awarded for her many years of service to PPSEAWA.
Following this presentation the new committee was elected for the Australian Association. President: Mrs Mary Cabrera (NSW); 1st Vice President: Mrs Joan Elliston AM (NSW); 2nd Vice President: Mrs Coral Fleming(ACT); Immed Past President: Mrs Glennie Cumming-Summors (WA); Secretary: Mrs Leigh Harley (NSW); Treasurer: Mrs Marie Majoor (NSW); Program Director: Mrs Judy Mikkelsen (CC/ACT); United Nations Officer: Rev.Faye Donaldson (VIC).
Activities:
 Executive members of the PPSEAWA International Council at the meeting in Sydney in May of 2001. HRH Princess Nanasipu'u, International PPSEAWA President, third from the left is pictured with Jannette Smith, President of PPSEAWA New South Wales and Glennie Cumming-Sommors, President of PPSEAWA Australia and members of the Executive Council. |
All PPSEAWA groups have been busy with many and varied activities, some of which have focused on the International Year of Volunteers.
PPSEAWA Victoria enjoyed a luncheon when the speaker was Rev Faye Donaldson, a minister of family youth and children in Melbourne who spoke on igniting the power of peace, children as the teachers of peace, interdependence and globalism and other issues concerning families worldwide. Faye works in the community informing families of the facilities available to enable families to access these facilities for their benefit and growth.
PPSEAWA NSW welcomed Aziza Abdel Halim AM, president of the Muslim Women's National Network in Australia to their October meeting. Aziza helped to give a better understanding of the customs and religion of Australian Muslim women and their families. Australia is a very multi cultural society and so we all need to understand each other's faith needs. With understanding comes peace.
Many PPSEAWA members from all groups took part in the recent UNIFEM September Spring run/walk when they raised $5 for 5 km either walking or running. This equated to women walking 5 km in East Timor for fresh water, food, firewood for cooking, medical aid and access to power. Proceeds contributed directly to UNIFEM's economic empowerment program for women in East Timor.
Finally, some PPSEAWA members attended the first National Women's Conference Australian Women Speak organised by the Commonwealth office of the Status of Women. The conference was held in Canberra. The aim was to bring women and government together from all over Australia to share knowledge and celebrate diversity. Conference themes included economic self-support and security for women, optimal status and position of women, elimination of violence in the lives of women and maintenance of good health and well-being throughout women's lives.
Our Volunteer:
Miss Kaylin Simpson Lee. Life Member PPSEAWA Australia Inc.
Kaylin first joined PPSEAWA in the fifties. Following her retirement from professional life Kaylin has been able to give more time to PPSEAWA and has held the following positions - President NSW Group; Vice President of the National Association for two terms; Program Director - PPSEAWA Australia and By-laws Chairman for the PPSEAWA International Council. Kaylin was largely responsible for updating the Australian Constitution following the incorporation of PPSEAWA Australia. She has attended as a delegate three PPSEAWA International Conferences - Tonga, Malaysia and the Cook Islands. Over many years Kaylin has promoted the Purposes of PPSEAWA.
Kaylin was recently honoured by the Australian Government and her local community with an International year of the Volunteer award for her involvement for over 13 years in Open House, a gathering of people interested in fostering a sense of community across age groups. Kaylin has over the years been secretary, treasurer and welcomer for the group. She has also assisted in organising other volunteers and speakers, as well as catering for the meetings.
Kaylin is a women who is involved in many organisations bringing to them her quiet enthusiasm and dedicated quality of service. PPSEAWA Australia is proud to present her as our volunteer.
Last Modified: June 05, 2010