April 2008

International Women’s Day honour

Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson is one of 30 women from across Victoria to have had their names added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women to mark International Women’s Day.

Minister for Women’s Affairs Maxine Morand said the 30 women honoured this year had made significant contributions in many areas including the arts, education, science, medicine, engineering, Aboriginal affairs, ethnic affairs, community services and health.

‘This year marks 100 years since Victorian women won the right to vote and it is great that Australia has its first female Deputy Prime Minister,’ Minister Morand said.

Other women to receive the International Women’s Day honour were veterinarian Margaret Keats, industrial hygienist Dr Ethel Osborne, war heroine Major Alice Appleford, Assistant Police Commissioner Sandra Nicholson, HIV activist Anne Phelan and refugee advocate Samia Baho.

‘This will bring to 386 the number of women selected for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women since the Roll was introduced in 2001 to raise the public status of women,’ Ms Morand said.

•           To read short biographies of 2008 Honour Roll inductees visit www.women.vic.gov.au.