Women's Advisory Network
Chaired by Sarah Murdoch, the Women’s Advisory Network brings together women in the public and private arenas to promote Register4 and help us move closer to our goal of one million women.
Launch of the Women’s Advisory Network at Admiralty House, kindly hosted by the Governor General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC.
What they do
The Network represents key leaders from industry, government, unions, media, sport and professional associations. Members draw on their personal and professional networks to help us reach as many women as possible and deliver on our long-term communication and engagement strategies.
Who’s in the Network
We’re so grateful to the following women for their invaluable contributions and continued support.
Mrs Sarah Murdoch Sarah Murdoch has been associated with the National Breast Cancer Foundation since 1997 when she accepted the role of international spokesperson for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, Australia. During this time she has become increasingly concerned at the impact of breast cancer on women, across all age groups, their carers and families. As Patron, Sarah sees her role as raising the consciousness of business, the media and the wider community about the continuing need for new knowledge to improve the detection and treatment of breast cancer and to ultimately find its causes - giving us the potential to prevent it. As Chair of the Women’s Advisory Network, she is delighted to work with key women in the private and public arena who can reach a large number of women in Australia to promote Register4. Ms Deborah Thomas, General Manager, Media, Public Affairs and Brand Development, ACP Magazines Deborah Thomas is Editorial Director of The Australian Women's Weekly, the iconic magazine that boasts the highest readership in Australian publishing and, per capita, in the world. Ms Maxine Morand, Chief Executive Officer, Breast Cancer Network Australia Maxine was appointed CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) in November 2011. BCNA works to ensure that women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families, receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible, no matter who they are or where they live. BCNA consists of a network of more than 67,000 individual members and 287 Member Groups. More than 90 per cent of our members have had a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the remaining members have had a personal experience with breast cancer through a family member or friend. Ms Mavis Robertson, National Spokesperson, Women in Super Mavis has played an integral part in enhancing the work of Industry Funds and more generally the not for profit sector and representative trustee system. This includes participation in the founding of the Conference of Major Superannunation Funds, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, Industry Funds Super, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and Women in Super. Mavis co-founded the Mothers Day Classic and was awarded membership in the Order of Australia in 1994. Ms Larke Riemer, Director, Women’s Markets at Westpac We understand the vital role we play and believe we should lead when it comes to doing the right thing for our people, our customers and our communities. As Australia’s first bank and company, Westpac has a long history of supporting the communities where our people live and work. We are committed to building strong partnerships with organisations such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which not only reflect our values, but will also help us to create better futures for all Australians. We have been supporting the Foundation’s initiatives since 1995, and look forward to working with the Foundation to help take positive action and make a real difference to the many Australian families impacted by breast cancer.
Dr Mariolyn Raj, Member of the Australian Federation of Medical Women Council (AFMW) As a partner of the Women’s Advisory Council, AFMW will play a central role in promoting awareness of the National Women’s Research Register especially among the medical community. We aim to harness the power of our diverse membership database within each state to empower women nationally to become informed & be encouraged to participate in the register. AFMW is committed to assisting NBCF attain our target of ‘recruiting one million women’. The research register is a unique initiative, which “aims to accelerate our understanding towards prevention and cure for breast cancer”. As a national advocate for women’s health, AFMW is proud to lend our support to this project and to await with anticipation the improvement in our knowledge and understanding of breast cancer, that this research will bring. Ms Kate Palmer, Chief Executive Officer, Netball Australia Netball Australia Chief Executive, Kate Palmer said that Australia’s iconic women’s sport plays a major role in the lives of more than a million female participants across our country from all walks of life. “As the highest team-based sport in Australia for 15-24 year old females, we believe we have a responsibility to continue to show leadership in issues related to women’s health and to support wonderful initiatives such as the National Women’s Research Register.” “Netball Australia is very proud of its record as a leader in the sporting community contributing to the health and wellbeing of millions of women,” she said. “Netball has become an important part of metropolitan and country communities fostering friendships, fitness and a sense of being part of a fraternity that caters for everyone who wants to play or be actively involved in the game. Kate Palmer said that sport would use its networks of over 330,000 registered members, 560 affiliated associations and more than 5000 clubs to promote awareness of the register. Ms Margy Osmond, Chief Executive, Australian National Retailers Association Margy Osmond is the inaugural chief executive officer of the Australian National Retailers Association. Mrs Osmond is a former CEO of the NSW and Sydney Chambers of Commerce. The Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) represents the country’s leading retailers. Combined, ANRA members employ more than 450,000 people and account for $100 billion in retail turnover. Members of ANRA include Australia’s most trusted household names in supermarket chains, department stores and specialty retailers. Ms Voula Messimeri, Hon President, Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia We provide advocacy, develop policy and promote issues on behalf of our constituency to government and the broader community. FECCA supports multiculturalism, community harmony, social justice and the rejection of all forms of discrimination and racism. FECCA’s membership comprises state, territory and regional multicultural and ethnic councils. FECCA has an elected executive committee and a professional national secretariat implementing policies and work programs on behalf of its membership and stakeholders. FECCA is proud to support Register4 and partner with a range of organisations in this initiative. We believe it is vital to work together in order to better address the needs of all women in Australia, particularly those who may experience barriers and disadvantages in accessing timely and appropriate information and health care. Ms Judith Kiejda, Assistant General Secretary, New South Wales Nurses' Association The NSW Nurses’ Association is pleased to support the National Women’s Research Register. Nurses are touched by breast cancer not only through their work, but also through personal experiences and those of their family and friends. Providing access to valuable clinical data regarding breast cancer will be invaluable for nurses, irrespective of why breast cancer has touched their lives. Nursing remains a predominantly female profession and we gladly give our support to this very worthwhile cause. Ms Catherine Davis, Federal Women's Officer, Australian Education Union Working to support women in their profession and their employment conditions, the AEU understands how important building strong support networks are to women. The AEU represents approximately 120 000 women working in public education across the country, with far too many of those likely to have experienced breast cancer directly or indirectly. Educators always have an eye toward the future, which is why the AEU hopes our members sign up to the Register and be part of finding better treatments and ultimately a cure for breast cancer. Ms Louise Davidson, National Chair, Mother's Day Classic The Mother’s Day Classic is organised annually by Women in Super, a group that provides networking and education opportunities for women in the superannuation and finance industries. For more than a decade, Women in Super have created a national event that provides the community with a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day and also to support breast cancer research. Since its inception in 1998, the Mother’s Day Classic has raised over $7.8 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, who have distributed these funds into a number of research grants in each state. The Mother’s Day Classic is a wonderful opportunity to let people know about Register4. Most people who take part in the MDC have been touched by breast cancer and by joining Register4, is another way they can make a difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer. During 2011, almost 600 people joined Register4 as a result of Mother's Day Classic. Ms Julia Burns - Chair, Register4 Community Reference Group Ms Ann Brassil, Chief Executive Office, Family Planning NSW An important part of our service delivery is educating clients and the community about breast health and breast cancer prevention. We are proud to play an important role in supporting Register4. Ms Carol Bennett, Executive Director, Consumer Health Forum The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is the national peak body representing the interests of Australian healthcare consumers. CHF works to achieve safe, quality, timely healthcare for all Australians, supported by accessible health information and systems. CHF member organisations reach Australian health consumers across a wide range of health interests and health system experiences. CHF is a committed and active advocate in the ongoing development of Australian health policy and practice. Consumers have a strong interest in research that improves consumer health outcomes. CHF advocates for meaningful consumer participation in research processes, and in setting the research agenda.
Dr Patricia Jenkings, Vice Chair, UN Women Australia – Sydney Chapter She has worked as a Ministerial Policy Adviser and currently as a Senior Policy and Research Analyst in the health and community services sector. She is a Life Member of The University of Sydney Union and University Alumni. Her University honours and doctoral work centred on migrant settlers and women’s needs and she has presented academic papers at national and international conferences, with works published locally and overseas. Dr Jenkings says, “I look forward to promoting the health and well-being of women in Australia by participating in Register4’s Women’s Advisory Network”. .Mrs Sarah Murdoch, Chair
NBCF Patron and Chair of the Register4 Women’s Advisory Network
Ms Deborah Thomas
Ms Maxine Morand
Ms Mavis Robertson
Ms Larke Riemer
Westpac is proud to partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support Register4.Dr Mariolyn Raj
The Australian Federation of Medical Women (AFMW) is the national voice of Australian medical women advocating for, and supporting, the health and welfare of our local, national and international communities.Ms Kate Palmer
Australia’s largest female participation sport has thrown its full support behind the National Women’s Research Register.Ms Margy Osmond
Ms Voula Messimeri
FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.Ms Judith Kiejda
Ms Catherine Davis
Catherine is the AEU Federal Women’s Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Journalism from RMIT (2004) and is a member of the ACTU Women’s Committee and also the Victorian Co-Convenor of WAVE (Women in Adult and Vocational Education).Ms Louise Davidson
The Mother’s Day Classic is a nationwide community walk/run event, bringing together a wide range of people, from those who have lost someone to breast cancer, to those who are fighting the disease, to others who want to get fit and donate to a worthy cause. It’s a poignant time to think of those who are no longer with us, with participants able to remember or support a loved one by wearing a personal message on a tribute card; or by writing a note of encouragement to those who are currently undergoing treatment.Ms Julia Burns
Julia is the chair of the Community Reference Group for Register4. Julia is one of 3 sisters who were all diagnosed with early breast cancer. She has a strong commitment to doing all that is possible to prevent and cure breast cancer - for all women and particularly for the other women and girls in her own family. As a former head of the Australian Government’s Office for Women, Julia knows the benefit of drawing on the experience of the widest range of people to inform research and policy work.Ms Ann Brassil
Family Planning NSW has been helping women make informed choices about their reproductive and sexual health for more than 80 years. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation focusing on the contribution to, promotion, collection and dissemination of reproductive and sexual health knowledge, information and learning to people in NSW. Our clinics - operating in Ashfield, Fairfield, Penrith, Newcastle, and Dubbo – provide medical services, health promotion and reproductive education to thousands of men and women every year.Ms Carol Bennett
Dr Patricia Jenkings
Dr Jenkings currently serves as Vice Chair, UN Women Australia – Sydney Chapter. She is also a member of the local Multicultural Advisory Committee, Bondi Surf Club, the NSW Health Professional Council, and Labor Women’s Network Executive.Ex officio members
Ms Lisa Britt, Register4 Program Manager Ms Belinda Duckworth, Register4 Marketing Manager Ms Carole Renouf, NBCF CEO
