Women’s Council


History

More than 90 years ago, a new clause was inserted into the PSA Rules which continues to have a lasting effect on the union to this day. The clause established the PSA  CPSU NSW Women’s Auxiliary which is known today as the Women’s Council.

All female members of the Association are members of Women’s Council.

Women’s Council is an advisory body to Central Council on issues affecting female members of the Association.

The business of the Women’s Council shall be conducted by a Women’s Council Committee. Women’s Council Committee is made up of elected members along with female members of the Executive and Central Council.

The elected office bearers of the Women’s Council Committee are known as the Women’s Steering Committee .

Women’s Council and the PSA CPSU NSW have had many successes over the years in improving the situation of women members.

Women’s Council has worked on issues around:

  • job security for women workers and the prevention of the casualisation of women’s work
  • pay equity
  • ground-breaking workplace rights for victims of domestic violence
  • flexible work practices
  • purchased leave
  • paid lactation breaks for women
  • returning from maternity leave.

However, there is always more to do.


WOMEN’S COUNCIL COMMITEE

Women’s Council Committee comprises of 20-24 members elected by financial women members across 10-12 electorates. They are joined by Women members of the PSA Executive or Central Council as ex officio members of the Women’s Council Committee.

The aim of Women’s Council is to watch the interests of the Association’s female members and to consider any question which affects them.

As such, it is important that the Women’s Council Committee has as broad a representation as possible. This includes representing women from male-dominated workplaces, as well as those with even gender balance and those dominated by women. It should also take into account the diversity of roles that women fill in the public service both in positions and wide-ranging Government agencies and employers.

The Women’s Council Committee should also represent the range of workplace locations, including representing workplaces in the city, large metropolitan centres and the country. While many issues are similar, many are different, so to effectively “watch the interests” of all women members, these basic philosophies need to be reflected in the forming of electorates for the Women’s Council Committee.


WOMEN’S COUNCIL STEERING COMMITTEE

The Women’s Council Steering Committee acts as the executive of Women’s Council. The Women’s Council Steering Committee shall consist of

  • Chairwoman
  • Vice Chairwomen
  • Honorary Secretary
  • Assistant Secretary

Elections

Elections to Women’s Council Committee shall be held every two years and such elections will be held by 31 October of the Election year. Twenty-to-24 eligible members are elected and representative of the 10-12 electorates.

At the first meeting following the taking of office of the newly elected Women’s Council Committee, the Committee elects the Women’s Steering Committee, from among its members elected.


Meetings

Meetings of the Women’s Council Committee are held on the second week in February, April, July, September and December. Approval from the Association’s General Secretary is required for funding of additional meetings, or in accordance with PSA Rules.

Women’s Council’s Annual General Meeting is held over two days in September and is referred to as Women’s Conference.


Women’s Council Steering Committee (Executive)

  • Chairwoman – Leanne Smith
  • Vice Chairwoman – Carmen Wells
  • The Honorary Secretary – Carol Erskine
  • Assistant Secretary – Lynette Rankin

Women’s Council Committee as per electorates.  (Elected)

HIGHER EDUCATION – Rachelle Down

DISABILITY SERVICES – Kylie O’Conner

OTHER NATIONAL SYSTEM EMPLOYERS – Leanne Smith

STRONGER COMMUNITIES (FACS AND HEALTH) – Joanne Edmondstone

STRONGER COMMUNITIES (JUSTICE) – Carmen Wells, Peta Noke, Traceylee Rule, Teena Kennedy

EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS – Carol Erskine, Karen Rogers, Lynette Rankin, Angela Deece

CUSTOMER SERVICE –  Claudia Bianchi, Trina Leask

PLANNING INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT – Natacha Hes

PREMIER CABINET AND TREASURY (EXTERNAL TO GOVERNMENT SECTOR)

TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE – Hayley Dellaca


 

Women’s Council Committee (via Central Council)

Nicole Jess –  President; Corrective Services, Silverwater

Juliet Sizer – Senior Vice President; Department of Education, Bangalow PS

Shelley Odewahn – Vice President; University of NSW

Alison Corrigan – Community Services

Bernadette McMahon – Housing – DCJ

Carol Rose – Department of Primary Industries

Cassandra Coleman – Revenue NSW

Donna Glover – NSW Police Force

Heather Shields – Resilience NSW

Jeanette Crawford – Dept of Education

Jillian Butler – Rural Fire Service

Joanne Nieass – Dept of Education

Julie Westacott – Ministry of Health

Karen Rogers – Dept of Education

Lauren Simpson – CSNSW – POVB

Lee-Anne Stanford – Transport for NSW

Lisa Kennedy – Housing

Natalie Howes – CSNSW -POVB

Nicole Harding – State Emergency Services

Rachel Smoothy – Electoral Officer

Savannah Walker – CSNSW POVB

Suzanne Evans – Youth Justice

Tanya Pople – Dept of Education

Vanessa Spitznagel Dept of Planning, Industry and Environment

 

If you would like more information about Women’s Council or the Women’s Unit, please contact