AMWU women in Victoria and Queensland have voted unanimously to create a national women’s conference before 2013, as an important step in progressing the place of women in the union.

The motions were passed at AMWU state women’s conferences in Queensland and Victoria this month. The conferences brought together more than 80 members from a range of workplaces including participants from the Northern Territory.

Queensland/Northern Territory conference organiser, Kate Perry, said the opportunity for AMWU women to reflect on the gains made by union women in the past helped participants consider what could be achieved in the future.

“Our theme this year was ‘making history all over again’. Given 2011 marked the 100th year of International Women’s Day, we asked our members ‘what can we make history for?”

The conference was opened by Queensland Minister for Women, Karen Struthers, together with AMWU National President, Paul Bastian, who paid tribute to the role of women in the union.

Formal addresses were interspersed with practical group planning sessions such as badge making and screen printing workshops.

Ms Perry said it was pleasing to see the number of AMWU women elected to leadership positions increase since the last conference two years ago.

“Since our last conference we’ve seen 13 women elected as delegates in their workplaces. Conferences like these give participants the knowledge and the empowerment to step up and take on leadership roles.”

For Victoria, the highlight of this year’s conference was the sharing of member experiences with special guest addresses from visiting New Zealand union members.

Victorian conference organiser, Cat Moore, said the day brought women together to look at ways for members to become more active, increase women membership and make effective change for women in respective industries.

Amongst the motions passed at both the Victoria and Queensland conference was a call for the creation of an AMWU Women’s National Conference to be held prior to the 2013 AMWU National Conference.  

Ms Moore said all participants agreed that the Victorian conference should be a regular event.

“They’re certainly keen to reconvene to review the outcome of this years resolutions.”