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There are many opportunities for women to come together and get involved across the Bankstown area, plus access a variety of services, facilities and networks designed just for women.
NETWORKS
The Women's Issues Network (WIN)
The WIN is a group of women who work or live in the Bankstown LGA and come together to seek increased opportunities and improvement to the quality of life of women in the local area. The WIN is particularly concerned that all women, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, have equitable access to services and programs. WIN meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Bankstown Area Multicultural Network (BAMN), for further information please contact Loretta Vieceli on 9796 2235.
The Bankstown Domestic Violence Liaison Committee (BDVLC)
Meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at LifeCare Bankstown, Level 2, 402-410 Chapel Road, Bankstown. The BDVLC is a network of community organisations from the government and non-government sector that provide services to women, children or families where domestic violence is identified. Meetings provide the opportunity for networking and sharing information about services, trends, training opportunities, community education and raising the awareness of the impact of violence on the lives of women and children which are all key areas that the DVLC takes a leadership role in.
For more information call BCC Community Development Officer - Community Programs ph: 9707 9637.
EVENTS
Reclaim The Night
Reclaim the night is a global event that occurs annually in October. The event consists of people coming together and marching under the Reclaim the Night banner to demand universal safety for women from all forms of sexual violence and to uphold women’s rights to a life without fear of violence, harassment and sexual assault.
In Bankstown, the Reclaim the Night committee was established in 2000, in response to sexual violence against women in the Bankstown local government area. This committee is made up of members from Bankstown City Council, Bankstown Community Health, Bankstown Women’s Health, NSW Department of Community Services, Bankstown Police, Bankstown Women Support Centre, Woodville Community Services and Bankstown Court Support Scheme.
The Reclaim The Night Committee organises the event which is held at Paul Keating Park. Entertainment and guest speakers are followed by the annual march through the streets of Bankstown. The Bankstown Reclaim the Night march attracts up to 1,000 women each year and has a high profile in the area.
If you are interested in joining the Reclaim The Night Committee or want to know more about this event, call BCC Community Development Officer - Community Programs ph: 9707 9637.
International Women's Day
March 8 is celebrated across the world as International Women's Day (IWD), and provides us with an opportunity to recognise the achievements of women and their contribution to society. Originating in 1908 when women garment makers in New York demonstrated to demand better working conditions, the day is now globally acknowledged as a stand for social equality between women and men. In Sydney, IWD was first celebrated in 1928 at a rally that called for equal pay for equal work, an eight hour day for shop workers, no piece-work, a base wage for the unemployed and paid annual holidays. Rallies and marches have been held throughout Australia every year since.
In Bankstown International Women's Day is marked by a number of community events across the local government area. The centrepiece event is organised by the Women's Issues Network (WIN) and comprises of a full day of women only activities held at the Wran Leisure Centre, Villawood. Local community organisations also get involved in a range of activities such as holding open days, celebratory lunches and networking breakfasts for women.
To find out more about IWD events in Bankstown or how to get involved, please contact BCC Community Development Officer - Community Programs ph: 9707 9637 or see Bankstown's Calendar of IWD Events.
KEY DATES:
8 March: International Women's Day: annual international event that recognises and celebrates women's achievement past and present.
31 October: Reclaim The Night: annual global event held annually on the last Friday of October. The event supports women to come together and speak out against domestic and sexual violence againt women in our community.
25 November: International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women & White Ribbon Day : this is an opportunity for men to state their support and commitment to non-violence in relationships by wearing a White Ribbon.
25 November - 10 December: 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women: Established in 1991, this international campaign officially begins on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day) and ends on December 10 (World Human Rights Day), to highlight the connection between women, violence and human rights. The sixteen day period focuses community attention on gender-based violence. Awareness raising activities are undertaken in the LGA by the Domestic Violence Liaison Committee and other local organisations.
1 December: World AIDS Day reminds the community that women and girls are overwhelming affected by HIV AIDS in a global context.
6 December: Anniversary of the Montreal massacre where 14 women engineering students were gunned down for being feminists. This brutal act triggered the creation of the White Ribbon campaign, a global initiative by Canadian men.
7 December: NSW Stop Domestic Violence Day is held the first Friday in December, is a dedicated day to highlight the problem of domestic violence and actions people can take to protect the rights of women and children to safety.
10 December: World Human Rights Day links the idea that a woman's right to live free from the fear of violence, harassment, inimidation, and assault is in fact a human right.
WOMEN'S FACILITIES
Women Only Swimming
The Wran Leisure Centre, Gundaroo Street, Villawood Ph: (02) 9726 2283
If you want the comfort of swimming privately among other women come to the Wran Leisure Centre on Tuesdays 1-2pm and Thursdays 12-1pm. Boys under 6 years of age are permitted to attend. Adult $3.60 Children under 5 free. Children 5-15 years $3.10 Pensioner $2.10
Women's Rest Centre
Swane Reserve, North Terrace, Bankstown
If you are needing a place to rest your weary feet from a day of hectic shopping then pop into the Women's Rest Centre. A space for women only, it provides a clean rest room, baby feeding room, and toilets (including disabled persons toilet). It also offers a convenient parcel minding service at no charge. Tea and coffee are available for purchase and you can browse through the community information on display. Open 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday.
Well Women's Clinic
Bankstown Community Health Centre,
4th floor, 36-38 Raymond St Bankstown ph:97802777
Every second Thursday 1-7pm
Breast checks, pap smears, bladder control, menopause counselling, pregnancy tests, counselling and referral, sexual health and sexuality information
Bankstown Women's Health Centre
74 Restwell St, Bankstown NSW 2200 ph: 9790 1378
Mon, Wed,Thu 8.30am-5pm, Tue 8.30am-8pm, Fri by appointment only.
The Centre offers a wide range of health services for women, including health clinics with female doctors, psychologist services, free pregnancy testing, massage and naturopath clinics, counselling services, a child sexual assault counsellor, support groups and a range of personal development classes (including tai chi and yoga).
LOCAL WOMEN'S GROUPS
The Afghan Women's Network
Meets each Thursday during school terms at Bankstown Area Multicultural Network (BAMN) Suite1, Level 5, Compass Centre, 83-99 North Terrace, Bankstown. For further information contact Rukhshana Sarwar on 0402 961 960 or BAMN on 9796 2235.
The Arabic Speaking Women's Group
The Canterbury Bankstown Migrant Resource Centre (CBMRC) runs the Arabic Speaking Women's Group each Wednesday at 10am from the Bankstown Office located at 2 Jacobs St, Bankstown. For further information contact Hoda Nahlous on 9789 3744.
The African Women's Group
The Canterbury Bankstown Migrant Resource Centre (CBMRC) convenes the African Women's group which meets regularly at the Bankstown office at 2 Jacobs St, Bankstown. To find out their current meeting times and for more information contact CBMRC on 9789 3744 or email reception@cbmrc.org.au
Asian Women At Work Inc
114 Restwell St, Bankstown NSW 2200
This service aims to empower Asian women workers who are experiencing significant injustice and exploitation. These women have the ability to stand up for their rights and contribute more significantly to Australian society as they gain access to information, resources, relationships and confidence in themselves. Membership comprises of over 700 migrant women workers, including restaurant workers, factory workers, cleaners and outworkers. The group provides outreach activities to Asian women workers in low paid employment and includes English classes, support groups, hobby groups, social activities, seminars and community legal education. For further information call 9793 9708.
Pacific Island Women's Advisory and Support Service (PIWASS).
PIWASS is an advisory and support body for Pacific Women in New South Wales. It is a multi-community, non-denominational Pacific Community organization and represents women from all the major Pacific communities in NSW. These include the Samoan, Maori, Tongan, Fijian, Niue, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG, Kiribati and Tokelau communities. PIWASS, aims to provide a forum for the voice of Pacific women and seeks a wider recognition for the needs of Pacific women in Government and society at large. For further information call 9683 1778.
Greek Older Women's Network
Meets every Monday at 9.30am at the Arts and Crafts Centre in Olympic Parade, Bankstown. This is a group of Greek older women from south western Sydney who come together to provide support and friendship for older Greek women, to encourage discussion about topics of interest, and to assist older Greek women to gain information, knowledge and skills. Activities include Greek dancing, light exercises, day trips, supporting community events and social occassions. All women aged 50 and over are welcome, for more information contact Mrs Voula Kerr 9785 4557.
Older Women's Network (OWN) Bankstown Wellness Centre
Bankstown Police and Community Youth Club,
55 Meredith St, Bankstown NSW
Open Mondays to Wednesdays (closed during school holidays)
The OWN Bankstown Wellness Centre aims to promote the health and wellbeing of older women (aged 50 and over). The Centre provides a place for older women to engage in a range of activities in a supportive environment. Physical activities and discussion groups are offered at the Centre including tai chi, discussion, speakers on older women's health and wellbeing, decorative art, relaxation, gentle exercise (including classes for Greek and Arabic speaking women), aqua exercise, massage, international dancing, drumming and Feldenkrais. Participation is flexible, allowing for 'drop in' attendance where women can attend as many activities as they wish. Participants do not need to book or pay in advance, but registration is required. Cost is $15 per term. For further information call 9708 2245.
Revesby Ladies Group
The Revesby Ladies Group is an educational group for women of all ages. The group offers support, communication with speakers and organises social activities. Meeting tim is 9.45am - 12noon on Wednesdays in the Macarthur Room, Revesby Workers Club, Dixon Lane, Revesby. Contact Mrs Phyllis Aldridge (Social Secretary) on 9792 4569 for further information.
View (Voice, Interests and Entertainment of Women) Clubs
Established by the Smith Family, VIEW Clubs meet once a month over a meal to exchange ideas and enjoy the company of other women. Monthly guest speakers expand members’ knowledge and understanding and encourage new interests. As well as these regular meetings, clubs provide a program of additional activities for their members to be involved in - tours, parties, coffee mornings and theatre trips. Each club’s program is unique.
For further information contact
Bankstown VIEW Club ph 9825 3007
Bass Hill VIEW Club ph 9644 1765
East Hills VIEW Club ph 9773 0445
Yagoona VIEW Club ph 9644 3074
Zonta Club
1 Lincoln Rd, Georges Hall NSW 2198
The Zonta Club of Sydney West is part of Zonta International which is a global organisation of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta members volunteer their time, talents and money to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship and award programs aimed at furthering women's education, leadership and youth development. Membership is female only and through invitation, with the club welcoming enquiries by women who might be interested in joining the club. Call Sandra Gilbert 9709 5490 or Lorna Parker 9707 2645 for further information.
USEFUL LINKS
Office Of Women, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
www.women.nsw.gov.au
Australian Government Office for Women
www.ofw.facsia.gov.au
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
www.hreoc.gov.au
Women With Disabilities Australia
www.wwda.org.au
Immigrant Women's Speakout Assoc NSW
www.speakout.org.au
NSW Womens Refuge Resource Centre
www.wrrc.org.au
NSW Domestic Violence Line 24 hours ph: 1800 656 463
NSW Rape Crisis Centre 24 hours ph: 9819 7357
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