International Women's Day 2010

World YWCA has released a statement about International Women's Day 2010.

"Some young women understand that violence against women is unacceptable, but many others are financially reliant on the men who abuse them." This revealing comment was just one of many heard from women and young women participants of the World YWCA Regional Training Institutes held in 2009 on 'Women Creating a Safe World..''

To see the full article please click here.

World YWCA News!

Stay in touch with World YWCA's latest news and updates by subscribing to their newsletters or e-bulletins.

Daily, weekly, monthly stay informed about the work of the World YWCA and thematic issues through our newsletters, e-bulletin, facebook page, tweets and more.

Please click here for more information!

An interview with our CEO, Kate Frost

Read the interview our CEO Kate Frost did with online blog Cherrymag by clicking here.

$130,000 in 130 days

$130,000 in 130 days!

Back in 1880, when we started, Sydney was a very different place. In those days, our work was about helping women, and in particular migrant women, gain equal access to services, infrastructure and support and whilst today that is still true, we also help men, children, whole families and entire communities across NSW access the support they need to help them out of difficulty and then proactively work with them to minimise the chances of it happening again.

So in our 130th year, we would love to raise $130,000 in 130 days and between now and the end of June we will be running lots of different events and activities which you can take part in. Whether you can donate your time as a volunteer, share your talents or networks, fundraise or donate money – your support will help vulnerable people at critical times in their lives. To help us reach our target, please click here.

Human Rights Act Petition

On 8 October 2009, the National Human Rights Consultation Committee released its report and recommended that Australia adopt a Human Rights Act. Please click here to view it.

The consultation was the biggest public consultation in Australia's political history, with participation by over 40,000 people and organisations.  Over 87% of the submissions to the Consultation that addressed the issue supported an Australian Human Rights Act.

WomenSpeak made a comprehensive submission  to the consultation which focused on women's human rights in a Human Rights Act.

The Committee's Report shows that:

• Human rights protection in Australia is currently inadequate - the Committee describes it as a patchwork quilt that needs mending;
• Human rights are important to Australians, particularly the rights to health, education and housing; and
• Australians are concerned that marginalised and disadvantaged people 'fall through the cracks',  particularly people with a mental illness, elderly people, people with a disability, some Indigenous people, children in need and people in regional and remote communities.

The Government has announced that it will respond to the report in the coming weeks.

For people concerned with improved protection of human rights in Australia, the time to act is NOW!  Women will benefit from a Human

Rights Act which is firmly based in an equality framework - promoting both equality of access to opportunities and equality in the outcomes.

Express your support for the Australian Human Rights Act by following the link - click here - and completing the form.

Black Tie at Bondi raises $230,000

This year’s YWCA NSW fundraiser, Black Tie at Bondi, was a great success and despite continuing difficult economic circumstances, raised $230,000 for the valuable work that YWCA NSW performs in disadvantaged communities. This will include YWCA NSW’s Mentoring Programs in Campbelltown and Sydney Metro, which improve young people’s self esteem and enable them to deal with anger management and conflict resolution in their relationships with their family and peers as well as improve their performance at school. Without this funding, these programs would cease to run inside the next 6 months. In 2008-9, YWCA NSW impacted over 35,000 people across NSW and the money raised on Saturday will go a long way towards helping reach that number again over the next 12 months.

To check out the photos from the night please click here

Volunteering Research Results

Methodology
Approximately 200 YWCA NSW volunteers were approached and asked to participate in the research. 42 of them responded to an email request and returned the online survey and 28 filled in a hard copy of the questionnaire during a Volunteer Breakfast Meeting. That gives a response rate of approximately 35%.

Results
Exactly 70 YWCA NSW volunteers took part in this research; 25 of them were males and 45 were females. 36 of the volunteers were a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, 21 volunteered for the Hip Pocket program, 14 were in-school mentors, 1 person volunteered for the Breakfast Buddies program, 5 attended the Y Leadership programs, there was also 1 Y-ise Up volunteer and 1 Y Girls Committee volunteer. Some of them volunteered for more that one program.

Gender specific results will be discussed further on. Exactly 50% of the participants were first time volunteers and the other 50% have had some previous volunteering experience. 12% of all the participants were one time volunteers, 28% were existing volunteers with up to 6 months volunteering experience, 20% have been volunteering for up to 1 year and 34% have been volunteering for over a year, with male volunteering experience going up to 4 years and female volunteering experience going up to 8 years.

While 20% of participants were drawn to the Organization of YWCA NSW, 73% were drawn to the specific program, or programs they were taking part in, when choosing to volunteer. 7% were attracted by both, the organization and the programs. Data analysis for the question ‘How did you hear about the program(s) you are volunteering for?’:

Through Family/Friends/Colleagues  - 49%
Media   -17%
Through Work - 13%
YWCA NSW Website - 6%
Internet Search - 5%
Bus Advertisement - 5%
www.volunteeringaustralia.org - 2%
www.volunteering.nsw.gov.au - 1.5%
www.seek.com.au - 1.5%

For further information please contact info@ywcansw.com.au

Unique community café a winner in Campbelltown

Ambarvale’s vibrant, community-run Yummy Café has been named Campbelltown’s Best Café/Coffee Shop in the 2009 Macarthur Chronicle Business Achievers Awards.

YWCA NSW and The Benevolent Society launched Yummy Café two years ago to give local families a safe, child friendly place where they can meet and socialise with other people in their own neighbourhood.

The Benevolent Society’s Manager of Community Programs, Melanie Andrews, said the Yummy Café’s success in the 2009 Macarthur Chronicle Business Achievers Award highlights just what an asset it is for the local community.

“Yummy Café is a café with a difference,” she said. “Not only does it offer amazing coffee and tasty, healthy food at great prices, but

New US BBBS research shows impact!

New Study Released at Big Brother’s Big Sister’s National Conference Suggests America’s Largest Donor-Supported Network of Volunteer Mentors for Youth Breaks Cycle Linked to Poverty.

Miami, F'L, June 16,2009 - A study conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters finds adults mentored as children through Big Brothers Big Sisters are more likely than peers with similar backgrounds but who were not involved in the program to have a four-year college degree and incomes of $75,000 or more. They also report strong relationships with their spouses, children and friends.

For full details click here

YWCA Solomon Islands Appeal

Money raised will also go towards assisting the YWCA Solomon Islands to continue to provide the kindergarten from an alternative location until the building is repaired.

Win $60,000 for the Y!

Canon have launched a photographic competition called "Be Creative for A Cause" where winners receive $60,000 to be donated to their favourite cause.

All you need to do is submit a photo via Canon's website which you feel best represents the Y..

The fields where you can be creative for a cause are:

• Arts and Culture
• Children
• Education
• Environment
• Humanitarian
• Medical and Health
• Welfare
• Other

There are also plenty of runner's up prizes so get to www.canon.com.au/creativeforacause - what are you waiting for?

Government launches National Standards for the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault through Education

The National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV) has today taken an important step towards reducing violence against women in Australia with the release of the National Standards for the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault through Education.

The National Standards were launched in Sydney today at a joint meeting of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children and NSW Premier's Council on Preventing Violence Against Women.

Financial Skills Assessment

Media Release: Australian Primary School students show it’s not all doom and gloom- they understand how to save money.

Over 90% of upper primary school students understood the importance of saving and were able to identify; why people save, how to reduce spending to increase savings and savings strategies. Also, 88% of students understand the importance of security when it comes to pin numbers for ATMs and for internet banking. - March 2009

MakingCents at the top of its class

The brainchild of the Finance First partnership – a non-profit collaboration between leading financial institution Citi and YWCA NSW – MakingCents is a program of financial literacy that aims to provide primary school children with the basics of good money management.

A team of leading educators including Associate Professor Christine Halse of the Centre for Educational Research, University of Western Sydney (UWS), recently conducted a thorough evaluation of the MakingCents program, including interviews with parents and teaching staff. The results of this review were overwhelmingly positive with the provision of outstanding teaching resources receiving noteworthy praise.

Ron Bunker Chair of Citi and the Finance First partnership points out, “These days children are more likely to see parents using ATMs and credit cards leaving the impression that our store of cash is unlimited – an outlook that has the potential to seriously jeopardise the next generations’ chance of growing into sensible money managers.”

Far from being alarmist, this view is backed up by many of the teachers involved in the delivery of the MakingCents for students program. As one teacher noted,
Teacher feedback during the evaluation of MakingCents underpins the need for financial education among Australian children. Technology has changed our handling of money, and growing numbers of children simply do not understand where money comes from, with many seeing ATMs as offering an unlimited supply of money.
However participation in the MakingCents program opened young eyes to the realities of day to day money management – and many teachers were surprised at the readiness of young children to grasp basic financial concepts.

Gayle Osborne, Head of Community Services and Program, YWCA NSW, says, “The readiness with which we can access cash ‘on the plastic’ these days is creating false impressions in young minds about an apparently endless supply of money”.

The MakingCents for students program is aimed at dispelling these myths by providing basic skills in budgeting and saving. But it goes one step further by running a MakingCents for Parents program in tandem with classroom learning.

Parents and teachers interested in the adopting the MakingCents program can access a range of freely available learning materials on the program’s website www.makingcents.com.au. The website also features a number of financial tools including a budget calculator.

Click here to the MakingCents Page.

Time For Action against Domestic Violence

Minister for Housing and the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek and Victorian

Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne today met with members of the Family Violence Statewide Advisory Committee at the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service in North Melbourne.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both Ministers to discuss how the Australian and State Governments are addressing violence against women.

Ms Plibersek said the Rudd Government was committed to taking action to provide more support for victims and their families, and reduce the incidence of violence against women.

“The Government’s position on domestic violence and sexual assault is one of zero tolerance - one victim of violence is one too many,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The creation of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children in May 2008 was the Government’s first step in dealing with the serious issue of violence against women.

“The Council and the Government have now released Time For Action, which is the most comprehensive report on domestic violence in Australia.

“We will immediately progress 18 of the 20 priority recommendations with an initial investment of $42 million, and will consider the other two in the context of developing the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women by 2010.”

Ms Plibersek said Time for Action identified the need for unified action from all levels of government.

Ms Plibersek congratulated the Victorian Government for responding to the Time For Action report by taking the lead in implementing new family violence measures.

Ms Plibersek said the Australian Government is working hard to implement the whole-of-government reforms put forward in the White Paper on Homelessness, The Road Home.

“We know that domestic and family violence is the major cause of homelessness amongst women and children,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This is why we are focussing on measures to keep women and children safe, and we intend to provide women and children with safe, secure and sustainable housing following domestic violence.”

Thursday May 21, 2009

Closing the Gap - Aboriginal Women's Health and Wellbeing

Having been involved in the reconciliation process for many years and with the momentous ‘Sorry Speech’ from Kevin Rudd early in 2008, it seemed timely for YWCA NSW to host a community consultation focusing on Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health & Wellbeing. It was hosted on behalf of the WomenSpeak Network, one of four non government National Women's Secretariats that act as a conduit for the exchange of information between the Government and the women's sector, providing representative advice on policy issues affecting women.

Held at Paddington Town Hall, on 15 September, 2008, the one day community consultation discussed the health and wellbeing issues affecting Aboriginal women in NSW, working collaboratively towards ‘closing the gap’. Australia’s Indigenous population faces a 17 year life expectancy gap. In the period 1996-2001, the life expectancy at birth for Indigenous Australians was estimated to be 59.4 years for men and 64.8 years for women, compared with 76.6 years for all men and 82.0 years for all women.

With this, and other concerning statistics in mind, delegates discussed best practice and possible solutions to issues affecting Aboriginal women in NSW. Interactive workshops on the day provided an opportunity for everyone to contribute ideas, share successful initiatives in their communities and explore action required across a range of social issues.

Highlights of the day included a ‘Welcome to Country’ from Aunty Ali Golding and various sessions from Lillian Holt and Jo Willmot from Relationships Australia and Dr Lesley Russell from the Menzies Centre for Health Policy. The recommendations and outcomes of this consultation and others across the country, informed a report to the Federal Office for Women.

This day provided valuable opportunity for women across NSW, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal to stand in solidarity, come together to share their knowledge and expertise and discuss how they can work together to take positive steps in closing the gap.

You can download the final report, published in March 2009 here.

Financial Skills Assessment - It Makes Cents

These days children are more likely to see parents and carers using ATMs and credit cards than cash, creating the impression that the supply of money is limitless. This perception has the potential to seriously jeopardise the next generation’s chance of growing into sensible money managers. Primary school teachers have also expressed concern for their young students and the need for a financial literacy resource that provides evidence of student understanding.

Since 2003, YWCA NSW and Citi Australia have worked in strong partnership to increase the financial literacy of young people so that they might have the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about managing money.

As part of the project NSW Department of Education (DET) was commissioned to develop the MakingCents resource for primary school teachers and their students and provide the professional development support to teachers in the delivery of MakingCents in their classrooms. From the website: www.makingcents.com.au alone, there have been more than 250,000 downloads of these activity-based curriculum materials.

The logical next step was to provide the free, online Financial Skills Assessment. Developed by NSW DET with input from State, Territory and cross-sector education representatives, this initiative enables teachers to gain an understanding of student financial literacy against levels of achievement consistent with the National Financial Literacy framework, including:

• Providing teachers and parents with information about what students know, understand and can do when managing money and areas for improvement.
• Giving teachers data about how their students performed in relation to the national performance.
• A snapshot of national financial literacy trends in primary schools.

To date, 4500 upper primary students undertook the Financial Skills Assessment. Each student received a certificate, clear feedback on their performance and also how their result compared with all students who have undertaken the Assessment. The website also provides online support for teachers who wish to have students do the assessment and want to make the best use of the results to further improve student learning.

Breakfast Buddies

For the fortunate ones amongst us, family is a safe place where we are loved and valued. As small children, our parents would wake us each morning, dress us in a clean school uniform and feed us breakfast.

But in Australia today, many children in disadvantaged communities wake up alone and vulnerable. It is estimated that approximately 25% of children regularly miss breakfast and that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are six times more likely to miss breakfast than students from higher socio-economic backgrounds.

In response to this, the Y has been supporting a school day breakfast program at two priority primary schools in Lismore and Nowra. The program operates early morning in a classroom and provides a safe, welcoming and nurturing place where disadvantaged children have a healthy breakfast to get the best possible start to their day. The impact and reach of this program, however, has been severely limited. Children had been restricted to a passive role with no active input in food preparation or involvement in nutritional/hygiene conversations. An essential element of an early intervention strategy is for children to learn the necessary skills to look after themselves, and how to connect with their peers and adults.

Thanks to $90,000 raised at Mother of All Balls, the Y will now introduce a mentoring element to the existing program as well as expanding the program to more schools across the state. From our experience we know that mentoring brings about profound positive change in the way young people feel about themselves and their world.

We believe that every child deserves someone who cares, listens, and displays by their own behaviour, how to connect to their community. Breakfast Buddies is an important part of this vision.

A snapshot in time of YWCA NSW’s journey

London, England, 1855 - In the throes of the Crimea War, a plucky group of women came together all with a thirst to do their part for their country and in particular, to support the nurses working for Florence Nightingale, by finding them adequate housing. It was through this joint concern that the YWCA was born.

Soon after the war was over these women rallied together to support all women in need. They began opening hostels for women who were in dire situations, from stranded travellers to runaway daughters, deserted wives and women who were working in horrible conditions. Around that time many women were taking the voyage to Australia. It became quickly evident that a YWCA would need to be established in Sydney to ensure that these vulnerable women were greeted as they got off the boats, found safe shelter, a suitable job and that their assimilation into the new country would be eased. Letters were sent to Sydney and finally, in 1880, Mrs Frederick Barker, wife of the Bishop of Sydney, responded favourably.

Mrs Frederick Barker called together a group of 10 compassionate women to help start the YWCA in Sydney. Their mission was “to provide, under one roof, a Home for women and girls who need it and rooms where classes and meetings can be held and a library set up.” Six months later the newly formed YWCA found a house to begin their work. The “Loma House”, in the Carlton Terrace in Wynyard Square, opened with just three women staying there but it soon began to grow. With 12 bedrooms, the ladies became busy helping boarders find jobs and creating various sub-committees. These committees identified the need for development of basic life skills such as needlepoint, reading and writing, so three times a week women met to learn these skills. At this time members of the YWCA also started to venture out, giving their time and advocating for women in asylum and those working in poor conditions in factories.

After a while the committee saw the need for YWCA’s all around New South Wales. By 1890 there were branches not only in Sydney but also in Waterloo, Alexandria, Ashfield, North Shore, Bowral, Forbes and Orange. The committee believed that decentralising would enable them to reach more women in need. A global concern also began to grow with YWCA members going abroad in 1891 to do missionary work and support women in countries such as China, India and Ceylon. At home more YWCA branches had opened in Surry Hills, Redfern, Hay, Gundaroo, Mudgee, Wagga, Pyrmont, Strathfield, Windsor, Burwood, Parramatta, Cootamundra, Manly, Berry, St. Leonards, Coogee, Erskineville and Marrickville.

Unfortunately the challenging times of the depression meant a move from the Loma house to a cheaper house in Phillip Street, in 1893. In 1895 the economic situation started to improve, however, and the first Inter-Colonial Conference took place in Sydney. YWCA representatives from Melbourne, Auckland and around New South Wales attended. The conference was hosted by the General Secretary of the World YWCA, Miss Annie Reynolds. During this conference the Y’s organisational structure was reorganised and new departments were created including, Evangelistic, Factory Worker’s Union, Foreign Missionary Department, Travellers’ Aid, total Abstinence Union and Home Missions.

In 1900, due to cramped conditions, the members gave up the house on Phillip Street and started a building fund. In 1903, after 3 years of fundraising, a building on Castlereagh Street was opened and very soon after, the rooms became full. However it wasn’t long after that they outgrew these premises and in 1912 enough funds were raised for the YWCA to buy a block of 3 houses, on Liverpool Street, which eventually became the Y headquarters and the old office on Castlereagh became the hostel. At this time the most pressing social need was for good food at a good price. The YWCA decided to open a cafeteria on Kent Street, with a group of businessmen financing the property and the YWCA supplying the food. The cafeteria became known as The Blue Triangle Club Room, and not only was it a cafeteria but a place for business women to eat and nap. In the evenings there were various club activities, classes, discussions and physical culture.

In 1915, with the outbreak of World War I there was a need for an Australian League of Honour. The League of Honour was created to “uphold the standard of women’s duty and honour during the most intense mental and spiritual crisis through which the Empire has ever passed.” The league disbanded in 1920 along with the war but soon more problems would emerge...

To be continued in our next edition.

Win Lewis’ Story

We are so lucky at the Y to have the long-term support of so many wonderful members - we wouldn’t be where we are today without their generous contribution. Win Lewis is one such member who gave her time and talents to help forward the mission of the Y. We were saddened to hear of the death of Win, aged 84, who died on 13th October 2008 form a heart attack in St George Hospital, Kogarah.

Win was wonderful supporter of the Y for many years, joining as a member shortly after retiring from her career at Esso. At this time the ‘new’ building had been opened (1984) and there were a number of rooms to be furnished. The Residence Committee, of which Win was the long-serving Treasurer, raised money by holding stalls, occasional raffles, lunches and Coffee Club mornings. Win would also dedicate much of her time looking for the best furniture at the best prices to furnish the members’ lounge. Materials were bought for curtains which were made and hung in the then, Conference Room.

Win’s artistic gifts were also used to serve the Y. She made table cloths on demand and enjoyed helping to arrange flowers on behalf of the YWCA for flower festivals held yearly at St Andrews and St Marys Cathedrals. Several of Win’s pastels were hung in the ‘Y’ lounges and currently a piece of her artwork hangs in the Hotel Reception.

We will miss Win greatly as will the Senior Ladies Group who met regularly with Win for lunch. Our special thoughts are with Win’s family.

YWCA Encore - Finding Empathy in a Community

YWCA Encore, introduced in Australia in 1983, celebrated its 25th Birthday recently. Over the years the program has achieved many milestones, from the first Aboriginal Encore program in 2005 to our Rural and non-English Encore programs. The continued funding and support from NSW Health provides YWCA NSW with the ability to implement 60 programs annually, in 36 locations with more than 1000 women participating each year. This is the story of two women that Encore has touched, as shared at the Encore 25th Birthday Breakfast…

My name is Priscilla Huff and I met my friend Jan Ashdown at the YWCA’s Lewisham Encore on 14th February 2008.

For eight weeks, Jan and I got together with a dozen or so ladies at various stages of breast cancer recovery - or treatment - and ranging in age from 30 to 80 years. We gathered for two hours per week with our Encore coordinator, Caterina, who facilitated the program of health and breast cancer related information sessions, followed by gentle floor exercises and hydrotherapy.

The information sessions usually involved a guest speaker including: an Occupational Therapist who gave us a better understanding of our lymph system and demonstrated lymphatic massage; a dietician who advised us of the latest diet related research for cancer recovery and prevention. Other sessions investigated alternative therapies, such as, Tai Chi, art therapy, physiotherapy, massage, yoga and relaxation.

The exercises and hydrotherapy helped to improve our mobility, flexibility, strength and fitness - particularly for arms and shoulders - following surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. These eight weeks were key to my physical recovery, encouraging me to exercise and get back in the pool.

But perhaps more importantly, it allowed us to find empathy in a community of women. We found support and information, clarification, alternative points of view, and an opportunity to share and give support and understanding to each other. It was great to be with a group of women, who could truly empathise with me.

Our purpose was not to compare our breast cancer scenarios. For each of us, our own medical history, diagnosis and treatment are so case specific – the type of breast cancer, its size, extent and response to the various chemo drugs available and their results and effects; and the extent and impact of surgery and radiotherapy; and our bodies react differently. Each of us has a different life story and responsibilities – kids, partners, families - and we make different decisions.

However, what we do share are the common experiences of breast cancer: hospitals, scans, tests, needles, hair loss, nausea, pain and – overwhelming at times – of fear… for ourselves and our partners and families. So much so at times, it can be difficult to voice our fears without causing more pain and fear for our carers and families. I was – and still am - very aware of the emotional load my partner and family have been carrying….

So it was great to make these new friends like Jan. She is a friend who has this common experience with whom I can share these fears, and discuss the worries and concerns and stresses presented by breast cancer and the uncertainty of our futures. We can laugh about the stages of hair loss: fluffy duck (partial) and bald eagle (complete); and following radiotherapy: roast duck. We can empathise with each other’s anxiety when recalled for a second bone scan or experiencing recurring pain.

Our friendship provided us an opportunity to share these experiences and an openness to discuss our fears. Work through the grieving process.

Jan and her daughter have recently moved into the same Sydney suburb as my partner and I (and our dog, Elvis) allowing us to continue our contact over coffee in our local cafes and hopefully be there for each other in our common future.

MOAB 08

It was all the ‘Raj’ at Mother of All Balls on 18 October 2008. Guests, joined by Patron Rachel Ward, were all fabulously attired in Saris, Kaftans and British Colonial uniforms and were transported to ‘A Night in Royal Rajasthan’, thanks to the creative genius of James Gordon Workshop. The Exhibition Hall at Australian Technology Park was transformed into an Indian Palace, with rich hues of orange and pink, the scent of cinnamon and orange and the scattering of rose petals by Indian brides.

Music was on theme with a sitar player and dohl drummers evoking sounds of India and guests were enticed out of their seats by the Bollywood dance troupe from Melange-Danse Sans Frontiers, learning traditional Indian moves. The entertainment continued throughout the night with performances from Jade MacRae, the funk band Grover and MC Julian Morrow holding the fort with his usual wit.

The auctions proved to be a temptation to guests with 59 Silent Auction items and 6 live auction items being sold on the night. The emphasis was on luxurious travel and ‘money can’t buy’ items, including the chance to sail on Wild Oats XI, Rugby training with Anthony Minichiello, Six Senses and Qualia getaways, tickets to the premier of “Australia,” beautiful Aboriginal artwork and Jan Logan earrings.

Thanks to the support of our Ball Committee and our supporters on the night, we made a profit of just over $400,000 for our mentoring programs, with $90,000 going towards a new program called Breakfast Buddies.

YWCA NSW - Encore Media Release

YWCA ENCORE - PROUDLY CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
IN AUSTRALIA

Please click here for the media release.

VETAB Re-registration is successful

It is with excitement that we have the opportunity to announce that the YWCA NSW's Training Division has successfully re-registered as a training provider this month. The audits with VETAB took place at the Sydney and Parramatta sites,  they inspected sample student records, assessment and training tools as well as inspected our facilities.

Made it through this process without a non-compliance, the YWCA NSW now has had all the additions to our scope approved (please go to NTIS to view scope) and is now registered until the 28 October 2013.

This process involved numerous staff members from offices state wide, all of whom should be congratulated. A special mention should be made to Caecilia Roth our training manager who prepared the foundations for this process and spent many months preparing for the audits prior to her maternity leave.

YWCA Annual Reports

Following are links to download the YWCA Annual Reports:

Click here to download the 2007/2008 YWCA Annual Report

Click here to download the 2006/2007 YWCA Annual Report

Click here to download the 2005/2006 YWCA Annual Report

Click here to download the 2004/2005 YWCA Annual Report

Y Files Magazine

Following are links to download the YWCA Y Files Magazines:

Click here to download The Y Files - Issue 7

Click here to download The Y Files - Issue 6

Click here to download The Y Files - Issue 5

Click here to download The Y Files - Issue 4

Click here to download The Y Files - Issue 3

Y CAN Newsletter

Following are links to download the YWCA Y CAN Newsletter:

Click here to download Y CAN - Issue 4

Click here to download Y CAN - Issue 3

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the gains women have made over the years and to bring our attention to the issues that still face us.

Most of all, it's a day to recognise that we, as women, have made and continue to make a difference. A day to celebrate women's contribution to making Australia and the world a better place for everyone.

Make your contribution to a better world
Join (link to membership form) the special community of women and be part of an organisation that is changing lives and communities around the world.   

"I Joined YWCA to be a part of a special community of women who are changing lives and communities. Make an active contribution to your community? Join YWCA."  Rachel Ward

International Women’s Day Partners
Wel NSW - welnsw.org.au
The Office for Women - www.women.nsw.gov.au/WhatsNew/iwd.htm
OWN NSW - www.ownnsw.org.au

New YWCA Patron - Rachel Ward

Rachel Ward has been the Patron of the Mother of All Balls an event she established in 2004 to raise money for mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters and Aunties and Uncles. Rachel has been a mentor for many years and is very committed to promoting these benefits as well as encouraging people to make active contributions through volunteering.

Through her ongoing involvement with the YWCA Rachel has continued to be impressed and surprised by the range and quality of our community services and has agreed much to our delight to put her face and weight behind our organisation.