Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown): Every year International Women's Day is a chance for celebration, reflection and hope. We celebrate the historical and ongoing contributions of women across society; we reflect on the gains women have achieved and the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of those hard‑fought gains, and the work that is still to be done; and we hope for a better future, free from gender‑based discrimination.
When Women's Day was first celebrated in New York City in 1909, American women were more than 11 years away from achieving suffrage. In Australia, white women had been able to vote for only seven years; in New South Wales, women would achieve the right to stand for Parliament in 1918; and it was not until 1965 that regulations prohibiting First Nations people from voting in State and Federal elections were finally abolished and our First Nations sisters were able to vote.
One part of the history of International Women's Day that is often forgotten is that it was originally International Working Women's Day. The first International Women's Day was celebrated in Sydney, Australia, in 1928.
On that day people stood up and protested for equal pay for equal work, for an eight-hour day for shop girls and for paid leave. In many ways we are still fighting for those issues. This year I was reminded of that history when I marched with hundreds of others from Birdwood Park in Newcastle West to Newcastle's iconic Civic Park, which was organised by Hunter Workers. I was invigorated, inspired and strengthened by marching alongside my sisters in the struggle and with my brothers who support us.
While we marched I thought of all of the extraordinary women that I have met in my capacity as an MP—women who do extraordinary things in our community, women who stand up, give back and do everything they can to make tomorrow better than today. I thought of Charlestown electorate's 2022 Local Woman of the Year, Rosalynd O'Shannassy, whose work in support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service transformed what was a horrible experience for her into something positive, beautiful and uplifting.
I thought of Mercia Buck, OAM, my predecessor as North Ward Councillor in Lake Macquarie, and a committed advocate for the performing arts, who was last year named a Freeman of the City of Lake Macquarie. I thought of Pamela Comerford, who was awarded an OAM in this year's Australia Day Honours for her work founding I Am Here, A Place To Be Me, otherwise known as Hunter Brain Injury Respite Options.
I thought of Lynn Howlett, the superintendent of St John's Ambulance Warners Bay Division. I thought of Christine Speer, Lake Macquarie SES commander. I thought of Cathy Jenkins from Charlestown & District Meals on Wheels, and I thought of Lydia and Elizabeth from Our Community Place in Windale. I thought of those women who are growing up and who we are marching for, including young women like Edie Hall, who raised $15,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation when she shaved her head, for which she received the One to Watch Award at this year's NSW Women of the Year Awards. I thought of another budding young activist in Calista Bowdler, who wants to put an end to child slavery. I thought of young women like Nixon Sherry and Sachi Scowen from Redhead, who organised a collection of food and dry goods with their school community to be delivered to those who have been impacted by the devastating floods up north.
I thought of the amazing women who work at our specialist domestic violence and homelessness services, including Kelly Hansen, Suellen Moore and Ann-Maria Martin. I thought of the countless women who have been on the front lines of the pandemic over the past two years: the teachers, nurses and shop workers who have been putting themselves at risk to make sure that our communities continue operating.
I thought of the brave women in Ukraine who are struggling for their homes, families and way of life. I thought of the brave women—including our own sister in this place, Janelle Saffin—in northern New South Wales and Queensland who have lost so much. I thought of the women who fight every day all over the world for freedom, equality and opportunity.
I thought about the enormous strides that we have made. My presence in this Chamber and that of my female colleagues is proof of that. I thought of all of the work that is still to be done. That day of celebration, reflection and hope is now over for 2022, but the chants from the march stay with me. All of our voices, united as one, are calling for a better tomorrow—not only for women but for everyone.
