AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER
Dear Members,
What a busy time it is for everyone, and an exciting one for many reasons! The Committee has been busy organising events and coming up with plans for the next year. The website is under re-development, and plans are shaping up for a 30th anniversary dinner in late October.
Like and follow our Facebook page: we regularly post updates and articles of interest, and promote our events and other opportunities.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions, suggestions or want to volunteer to help with anything.
Steph Dyhrberg
ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT 2017
THEME: POLITICS AND ELECTIONS
Final reminder to register teams (maximum 6 people, fee $180) for this great night out on 31 August 5.30pm at Mac’s Function Centre, Taranaki Wharf. This is our major annual fundraiser to top up the scholarship fund. So far 17 teams have registered. We would like to get to 23! Supper included, cash/eftpos bar. Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes! Silent auctions for fabulous items will run through the evening. Register or donate an item/prize by emailing
RECENT EVENTS
Drinks at Concrete Bar
A few hardy souls braved the rain and came for a drink and nibbles at Concrete Bar.
“MEET THE POLITICIANS – WOMEN’S AFFAIRS” EVENT GOES OFF LIKE A ROCKET
Story and photos by Josie McNaught
It’s said that a week is a long time in politics. As Chapman Tripp’s boardroom filled up fast, the talk was all about Jacinda (no last name needed, like Cher or Madonna). Perfect timing for our women politicians panel event.
Our panellists for the evening were in great form. TOP candidate and “boring tax expert” Dr Jenny Condie, Wellington Central National candidate Nicola Willis, Green MP Jan Logie and long-time Labour MP Ruth Dyson did not disappoint with their frank and sometimes fiery answers to some tough questions.
Our MC (Madam in Charge), political journo turned lawyer Linda Clark reminded us that in the twinkling of an eye, an MP can find themselves “without an office, without a seat, without a party (and in Churchill’s case without an appendix too).”
Linda’s no nonsense approach, steely voice of command and charming wit kept the questions, answers and the laughs coming, and the politicians on message.
Madam in Charge Linda Clark
That message came through loud and clear from the audience and the panel: We are women – hear us roar!
Topics ranged over equal pay, flexible, family friendly working conditions, access to housing, healthcare, social welfare and abortion. The mood of the audience was plain: we want sensible solutions to the problems of social injustice, not ones that only favour big business or the wealthy. We are intensely concerned about the environment and demand more than lip service paid to cleaning up our waterways. And we don’t think our wombs are anyone else’s business.
Jan Logie telling it like it is
Women lawyers are engaged, informed and ready to fight for the causes they are passionate about.
One of the features of the night was the age range of the audience. Who said under 30s are apathetic when it comes to politics? The large number of younger women present and debating the issues at the end of the evening put paid to that myth.
WWLA convenor Steph Dyhrberg and Committee member Grace Bennett organised a most memorable evening and our thanks go to Chapman Tripp for the generous hosting.
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
Women prison inmates are often victims of abuse and domestic violence. It has been shown that providing women inmates with information, education and practical support reduces recidivism and reconnects them with their families.
The Committee asked member Sue Shone (who works with clients in prisons) how we could offer support to the approximately 240 women currently at Arohata Prison and Upper Rimutaka sites. Sue advises us that the women at Rimutaka are trying to build a non-fiction library (especially dictionaries). They would also appreciate subscriptions to informative magazines.
Sue says setting up a visiting scheme to provide monthly focus groups and mentoring would be useful, and she is happy to explore this if we can get volunteers to participate.
Please contact if you are prepared to help set up a visiting roster or can make donations of money or paperback dictionaries and non-fiction books.
The Women’s March Aotearoa/New Zealand has contacted us, seeking pro bono assistance. Women’s March needs to set up an appropriate legal entity to deal with funds they have raised. Anyone who can provide advice/assistance please contact Kim Griggs:
UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS
We will be organising groups to see Kate Sheppard musical That Bloody Woman and WOW in September, and New Zealand opera’s Katya Kabanova in October. Email us if you would like to come along.