• Entry type: Organisation
  • Entry ID: AWE0009

National Foundation for Australian Women

(From 1989 – )
  • Nationality Australian
  • Occupation Social action organisation

Summary

The National Foundation for Australian Women was established in 1989 by the bequest of Canberra feminist, Pamela Denoon. NFAW objectives are: to advance and protect all interests of Australian women in all spheres; to ensure that the aims and ideals of the women’s movement and its collective wisdom are handed on to new generations of Australian women. The foundation seeks to strengthen and support women’s groups by: sponsoring research and advocacy; working to increase support for feminist goals in the community, and improving communication among women’s groups. NFAW founded the Australian Women’s Archive Project in 1999.

Details

The National Foundation for Australian Women promotes the rights and interests of Australian women. It is non-party political and independent of government funding. The NFAW relies on the voluntary work of its members, including its Board. NFAW has individual and organisation membership. Individual members are entitled to attend all Board meetings, put forward issues for consideration and vote or stand for the Board. Organisations are welcome to join and will receive all entitlements except voting rights. NFAW produce Broadside newsletter quarterly. Marie Coleman was the founding Secretary. NFAW held the first National Women’s Conference in Canberra 1990.

Founding sponsors

Diane Bell, Eva Cox, Virginia Dowd, Elizabeth Evatt, Barbara Flick, Rhonda Galbally, Margaret Guilfoyle, Jill Hickson, Elizabeth Jolly, Eva Learner, Tobsha Learner, the Hon. Dame Roma Mitchell, Ann Morrow, Anne O’Byrne, Elizabeth Reid, Edna Ryan, Kaye Schofield, Kerry Schott, Judy Small, Ann Symonds, Pat Turner, Margaret Whitlam, Judith Wright.

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Published resources

Archival resources

  • State Records of South Australia
    • GA1109 Hon. Anne Levy, Member of Parliament
  • National Library of Australia, Manuscript Collection
    • Papers of Edna Ryan, 1948-1993 [manuscript]
    • Records of the National Foundation for Australian Women, 1988-2009 [manuscript]
    • Papers of Judith Wright, 1944-2000 [manuscript]
    • Papers of Margaret Reynolds, 1973-2005 [manuscript]
    • Records of the Australian Women's Archives Project, 2001-2012 [manuscript]
  • National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore Collection
    • Julia Ryan interviewed by Sara Dowse [sound recording]
  • State Library of New South Wales
    • Irina Dunn further papers, 1943-1994

Related entries


  • Founding sponsor
    • Ryan, Edna Minna (1904 - 1997)
    • Owen, Mary (1921 - 2017)
    • Reid, Elizabeth Anne (1942 - )
    • Guilfoyle, Margaret Georgina (1926 - 2020)
    • Whitlam, Margaret Elaine (1919 - 2012)
    • Wright, Judith Arundell (1915 - 2000)
    • Conway, Josephine (1920 - 2007)
    • Mitchell, Roma Flinders (1913 - 2000)
  • Related Women
    • Hunter, Thelma Anna Carmela (1923 - 2016)
    • Levy, Anne (1934 - )
    • Denoon, Pamela (1942 - 1988)
    • Magarey, Susan (1943 - )
    • Rutnam, Romaine (1947 - )
    • King, Jackie (1975 - )
  • Membership
    • Ryan, Lyndall (1943 - )
    • Vick, Lesley Helen (1945 - )
    • Bilney, Elizabeth (1943 - 2010)
  • Foundation member
    • Coleman, Marie Yvonne (1933 - )
  • Board of Directors
    • Coleman, Marie Yvonne (1933 - )
    • Medd, Ruth (1950 - )
    • Ankers, Julie (1950 - )
    • Ankers, Julie (1950 - )
    • Somerset, Georgie
  • Director
    • Coleman, Marie Yvonne (1933 - )
  • President
    • Medd, Ruth (1950 - )
    • Matthews, Jill Julius (1949 - )
  • Related Events
    • National Women's Conference (1990 - )
  • Member
    • Burton, Clare (1942 - 1998)
  • Director/s
    • McDiven, Chris (1949 - )
  • Vice President
    • McDiven, Chris (1949 - )
  • Presided
    • Crawford, Mary Catherine (1947 - )
  • Established
    • Australian Women's Archives Project (2000 - )