BPW Australia strongly supports the work of White Ribbon Australia. International White Ribbon Day marks one of the most concerning problems facing society today. All Australian governments have taken a strong zero tolerance approach to domestic violence and are taking significant steps toward reducing all forms of violence against women and children. The effects of domestic violence reach beyond the home and into schools and the workplace. Eliminating all forms of violence against women and children is one of the most compelling moral issues of our times.

BPW congratulates the Australian Government on its announcement of a $30 million campaign against domestic violence and the introduction of legislation to provide greater protection for victims of violence in court proceedings as well as greater discretion for courts on the length of time interim parenting orders can be applied. The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said "we have to stand up and eliminate all violence against women, and men have to take the lead". He emphasised the importance of respect by  men and boys toward women and girls as a vital driver of the cultural change we must see before domestic violence can be purged from the community.

Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, spoke to almost 1000 guests attending this year's Adelaide White Ribbon Breakfast. She said that it is shameful that in 2015 almost 80 women have lost their lives at the hands of their partners, and that "there are many people living in fear, and possibly their lives will never be the same". Ms Batty emphasised the urgency of action needed by government and across the Australian community at all levels.

A very exciting and innovative change has been developed by the United Nations especially regarding gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The SDGs will be an invaluable tool for BPW Australia Clubs to compare their activities to the SDG goals to improve women’s rights, read more……. 

BPW Australia congratulates the employers who have received this year's citation as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. The citation celebrates employers' commitment to proactively pursuing gender equality in their workplaces through policies, programs, ensuring parental leave and return from parental leave is best practice and undertaking targeted activities such as the analysis of gender pay gaps. This year, new citations go to more than 80 employers. This is very welcome news, as it indicates that there is a growing commitment to gender equality across the Australian public and private sectors.

BPW Australia congratulates Michelle Payne on her historic win in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, riding Prince Of Penzance to victory. We also congratulate Michelle on wearing the finest of colours Green, White and Violet - made famous a century ago by the British Suffragette movement. When interviewed on her victory lap, Michelle said that she had fulfilled her dream today - and we hope that she has many more to be fulfilled. In a male dominated industry, Michelle is a shining role model for other aspiring women jockeys. This is a great day for women in sport and for women in non-traditional careers.

Won't it be great when it becomes a matter of course for a woman jockey to win the Cup? It just takes a first time, and then there will be a second time and a third. Well done, Michelle, on getting it started!

"13 Wise Women is a collaboration of 13 ordinary but, in their own way, extraordinary women sharing their knowledge and experience to create positive change for others, no matter what their stage of life.

The stories are inspiring, full of courage, pearls of wisdom, and empowering quotes, as well as common sense. And there are a number of themes throughout the book, including getting out and taking action, continually learning, building your network, and staying true to your ‘why’" www.13women.com.au

BPW Geelong was one of the sponsors of the launch at Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

The recently released book features contributions from four BPW Geelong members Belinda Lyle, Sharon Hill, Fiona Skene and LIz Grant, who were asked to contribute to the book. 

You can purchase the book at www.13wisewomen.com

The Oct-Nov 2015 British First Film Festival includes pre-screening of the new movie "Suffragette" due for release on Boxing Day.  This is your opportunity to be one of the first to view this compelling movie set in the UK before it is released on 26th December 2015.  Check details for your city.

I was lucky enough to share with other 21st Century Suffragettes of Perth at a special screening on Wednesday.  The movie is both powerful and humbling but most of all an inspiration to continue the work done by these dis-empowered yet stoic and feisty women who paved the way for many of the benefits we enjoy today. Don't miss it!

Families struggling to access childcare and who require more flexible arrangements can apply to participate in the Australian Government's new Nanny Pilot Program.

The two-year pilot will begin in 2016 and provide fee assistance to help eligible familes with the cost of using a nanny in their family home.

This is a great opportunity for parents, particularly those who live away from existing child care, or those who work shifts - like police officers, nurses, firefighters and other emergency workers, or those in the hospitality industry.

Families are eligible if they earn less than $250,000, both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours per fortnight, and at least on parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Families have until 5pm AEDT on 5 November 2015 to apply.

To find out whether you're eligible and to apply, go to www.dss.gov.au/nannypilot.

The national gender pay gap for 2015 stands at 17.9%. It has hovered between 15% and 19% for the past two decades and has been resilient to change in the 21st Century!. The gap is calculated annually by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency using the Australian Bureau of Statistics' labour force data: it is the difference between women’s and men’s average weekly full-time equivalent earnings, expressed as a percentage of men’s earnings.

WGEA also nominates the annual Equal Pay Day,  this year as 4 September. This means that if women work seven days a week from 1 July 2015 to 4 September 2015, they will catch up with the pay earned by men in the previous financial year.

BPW Australia has partnered with the ACTU and eS4W to initiate the Equal Pay Alliance. The Equal Pay Alliance represents Australian employer and employee organisations, including business, union and community groups who have joined together to pursue practical action to ensure women’s work is properly valued and that decades of inequity are brought to an end.There are now more than 50 member groups who have joined to take action for women's equality at work, on boards, and in leadership.

Find out more about Equal Pay Day, the Equal Pay Alliance and how you too can make a difference at http://www.equalpayday.com.au. 

It is with great pleasure that BPW Australia congratulates BPW Cessnock's President, committee members and other club members  on achieving their 60^th anniversary.

The longitude of a club depends so much on the commitment, enthusiasm and plain hard work of its managing committees and its members, and so to achieve a 60 year  milestone is a credit to all those who have contributed to the club over the decades. We particularly wish to thank Miss Mary Campbell who has been a member of BPW Cessnock since its foundation year, and to acknowledge the significance of such long term commitment to the club and to BPW nationally and internationally. After all, even at the local level BPW efforts reach out across Australia and globally.

Forwarding the report from Arzu Oryol,  BPWI Vice President UN which includes BPW's activity at the recent UNESCO Forum in Paris.

Susan Jones
BPW Asia-Pacific