Quick Links
Celebrating International Women's Day, Tuesday 3 March, Government House
Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, Patron of The National Council of Women, invites you to Government House to celebrate International Women's Day by formal registration only.
From 5pm to 7:30pmJacinta Parsons will moderate the NCWV Health Panel - a panel of international leading experts who will discuss the latest updates in Women’s Health - the key contributions to Women’s Health in Australia, the role of female hormones in these diseases, the importance of tailoring treatment for women and men, the impact of AI on violence towards women and the role of women in leadership to change policy.
Jacinta Parsons is a radio broadcaster, writer and Author of “A question of age – Women, Ageing and the forever self”. She currently hosts the Friday Revue and Saturday Mornings on ABC. Jacinta holds leadership and governance roles in the Arts & Music community and is a strong advocate for those living with chronic illness. 
Professor Szoeke is the PI of the longest-running study of women’s health in Australia, est 1990 and author of “Secrets of Women’s Healthy Ageing”, awarded the bestselling title in over 100 years of Melbourne University Publishing and highly commended in the EPAA awards. 
Professor Teede AM is the Director of Monash Centre for Health Research Implementation, Monash University and an Endocrinologist at Monash Health, who holds an Order of Australia for services to Women’s Health. 
Head of Women’s Mental Health at Cabrini Health. Founder and Director of the HER Centre Australia. She conducted groundbreaking clinical research and is internationally recognised as a leader and expert in women’s mental health. She developed and established Australia’s first women’s mental health hospital at Cabrini Health in September 2021. 
Founder of Away from Keyboard Inc, she is a dedicated advocate committed to the prevention of online harm, the impact of emerging technologies, and enhancing the lives of women, children, and carers through trauma-informed leadership, policy advocacy, and global collaboration and AI governance. 
First-ever Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care (Women’s Health) and previously Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Social Services and Prevention of Family Violence.
The Hon Ged Kearney MP has a clinical background as a registered nurse, and was deputy director of nursing, then moved toward policy initially within the Australian Nursing Federation. She joined the Labor Party in 2018.To view a printable version of the members of the Health panel, click here
Opportunities for Personal Development at NCWV
We have two opportunities for personal development at NCWV. Click on the links below for more information
The 2025 NCWV Annual Report now available.
The February edition of the NCWV Newsletter is now available.
Click here to read our statement regarding the violent attack at the Bondi Beach Hanukkah event.
The following newsletters are now available: February 2026,December 2025,November 2025,October 2025,August 2025,July 2025, June 2025, May 2025, April 2025, March 2025, February 2025, December 2024, November 2024, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, June 2024, May 2024, April 2024
NWCV Annual General Meeting, September 4th
It was attended by 23 members in person and 10 by ZOOM.
Returning Officer: Elisabeth Newman informed the meeting that all of the nominations were provided in accordance with the rules, and there was only one nomination for each of the Committee positions. She therefore declared as elected the following:
President
Elida Brereton
Vice President
A June Anderson
Vice President
B Pam Hammond
Hon. Secretary
A Dr Julie Stevens
Hon. Secretary
B Phoebe Swift
Public Officer
Phoebe Swift
Hon. Treasurer
Emma Fu
Convenor Standing Committees
Robyn Byrne OAM
General Members
Ronniet Milliken, Dr Deborah Towns OAM, Guosheng Chen, Sarah Barnbrook, Hean Bee Wee AM
Standing Committees
Convenor Standing Committees
Robyn Byrne OAM
Status of Women
Coordinator
Robyn Byrne OAM
Adviser Implementation of Conventions
Robyn Byrne OAM
Adviser Legislation
Ronniet Milliken
Adviser Human Rights
Sarah Barnbrook
General Wellbeing
Coordinator
Prof Cassandra Szoeke
Adviser Health
Prof Cassandra Szoeke
Adviser Nutrition
Maggie Baron
Adviser Environment
Pam Robinson AM
Sustainable Development
Coordinator
Dr Deborah Towns OAM
Adviser Women and Employment
Dr Deborah Towns OAM
Adviser Rural and Regional Women
Christine Rippon
Adviser Consumer Affairs
Robyn Byrne OAM
Adviser Economics
Emma Fu
Communications
Coordinator
Sarah Barnbrook
Adviser Education
Pam Hammond
Adviser Arts and Letters
Robyn Byrne OAM
Adviser ICT, Social Media & Mass Media
Sarah Barnbrook
Adviser Music
Vacant
Social Issues
Coordinator
Dr Yee Man Louie
Adviser Child and Family
Dr Rumbi Nyanhoto
Adviser Youth
Sarah Barnbrook
Adviser Multicultural Affairs
June Anderson
Adviser Ageing
Vacant
NCWV Note: Representative Committee Members
Individual Members Representative
Sheila Byard OAM
Geelong Branch Representative
Nonie Crozier
Young NCWV Representative
Vacant
Membership
Membership means you can
Meet others interested having a voice in women’s issues at local, state, federal and international levels
Build your leadership and community advancement skills by participating in the running of our incorporated association
Participate in the voting process at the Annual General Meeting
Share your knowledge, skills & experience as a volunteer, speaker or mentor
Enjoy member benefits, including newsletters, reports and special event rates
Contribute financially to support our Civics and Citizenship program including the annual My Vote My Voice student event at the Parliament of Victoria
Mission Statement
National Council of Women of Victoria, NCWV, is a non-party-political, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, umbrella organisation with broadly humanitarian and educational objectives. It seeks to raise the awareness of women as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens and encourages their participation in all aspects of community life.
Goals
Work for the empowerment of women and families and to promote equal status for women in law and fact.
Develop policies and responses on behalf of women on a state-wide basis.
Act as a voice on issues and concerns of women at state and regional levels.
Link with the women of Australia and the International Council of Women through the National Council of Women of Australia and contribute to the implementation of their plans of action and policies.
Theme
NCWV has adopted the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) Theme: “Transforming Society through the Empowerment of Women”
Who’s under our Umbrella?
National Council of Women of Victoria membership comprises organisations (affiliates), eligible organizations of women or men and women, and individual members approved by the Council.
>> List of organisations (affiliates)
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
