2009-2010

The Tasmanian Women’s Council provides advice to the Tasmanian Government on issues of importance to women and contributes to the development of strategies that address disadvantage and increase the participation of women in all aspects of community life.

The 2009-10 Council reflects the diversity of women across the State and includes representatives from rural and isolated communities including King Island, St Helens and Longford. Members are appointed as individuals, not as representatives of particular groups or organisations.

The Council includes women from a range of ages and backgrounds including Aboriginal women and women with diverse interests and networks including the environment, social justice, health, multicultural affairs and business. 

The Council meets three to four times a year and members are appointed for a two-year term.

 2009-2010 Tasmanian Women’s Council Members

• Mrs Lynette Brewster, King Island: education, isolated communities
• Ms Sharon Dennis, Ulverstone: Indigenous issues, environment
• Ms Cassandra Dowling, Devonport: family violence, social justice
• Mrs Linley Grant, Hobart: environment, community leadership
• Mrs Lola Greeno, Launceston: Indigenous issues, arts
• Ms Anne Hamilton, Bellerive: humanitarian and refugee issues
• Mrs Susan Hill (Convenor), Launceston: law, guardianship, mental health,
• Ms Sarah Lowe, Blackmans Bay: training, women’s health
• Mrs Robyn McKinnon, Longford: rural communities
• Mrs Melinda Smylie, St Helens: business development, education
• Mrs Sajini Sumar, Kingston: multicultural issues.

Appointment

Members are appointed by the Premier based on the following criteria:

• Membership of key women’s organisations or ongoing contact with formal or informal networks.
• Capacity to make worthwhile contributions in areas of relevance to women in Tasmania including literacy, homelessness, employment, health, education, child care, family violence, consumer affairs, justice, welfare, environment and other issues of concern to women.
• Capacity to make worthwhile contributions in relation to the social inclusion of groups of women in Tasmania who have special or particular needs, for example, Aboriginal women, women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women with a disability, women from regional communities.

Communique May 2009 (PDF, 84 KB)

Communique July 2009 (PDF, 32 KB)

Contact Us

For more information about the Council, please contact Women Tasmania on 1800 001 377 or email wt.admin@dpac.tas.gov.au