Women’s Affairs Minister Maxine Morand is calling on Victorians to nominate the women who inspire them for the 2011 Victorian Honour Roll of Women award.
Speaking at the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Victorian Union of Australian Women, Ms Morand said the Honour Roll celebrates the important contribution women have made to Victoria.
“The honour roll is a great opportunity for all Victorians to recognise the achievements of women from all sections of the community,” Ms Morand said.
Voula Messimeri-Kianidis, executive director of the Australian Greek welfare society, was nominated for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women award in 2007.
As the first female chairperson of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA), Ms Messimeri-Kianidis said that the award is among many positive initiatives to recognise the contributions of women.
“Councils are recognising women increasingly; we’re seeing recognition for women in community work and there are a number of these types of initiatives, like the honour roll and the premier’s award, under the Victorian multicultural umbrella, which have extended recognition to women and importantly to migrant and refugee women,” Ms Messimeri-Kianidis told Neos Kosmos.
Ms Messimeri-Kianidis said the introduction of the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001 was particularly welcome for its recognition of women from all backgrounds.
“What’s pleasing for me is the inclusion, on a yearly basis, of women from both indigenous and refugee and migrant backgrounds and it’s important for women- and men- to nominate women for this award,” she said.
The Victorian Honour Roll inductees will be announced as part of International Women’s Day in March 2011. Nominations close on October 13, 2010, with nomination forms and information available at www.women.vic.gov.au