Buckland-Fuller, Dorothy (1922 - )

Dorothy Buckland-Fuller is a sociologist and social activist of some longstanding, with a distinguished career in ethnic and multicultural politics, particularly as they impact upon women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She is a peace activist, an environmentalist, a feminist and committed to the cause of reconciliation with indigenous Australia. Of Greek heritage, Buckland-Fuller has had a long involvement with the Greek Community of New South Wales, and her valuable contributions were acknowledged in 2001 when she was granted Life Membership to the Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales. In 1974, she established the Australian-Migrant Women’s Association, an organisation designed to bring together immigrant and Australian-born women. Among other things, she is still actively involved in the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, serving as president in 2002-4. As a sociologist, she taught and conducted action research. Her life has been a case of putting that theory to practice. In her own words, she is an ‘action oriented person’.

• Buckland, Dorothy (previous name)
• Dimitropoulou, Dorothea (maiden name)

Dorothy Buckland-Fuller's extensive CV, when read chronologically and with regard to her own memories, is a living history of the development of multicultural policies in Australia. She arrived in Australia in 1961, having lived in England for the previous fourteen years. (Her husband was an engineer working for the British Overseas Air Corporation [BOAC].) She became involved with the Greek Community in Sydney and worked for them in the late 1960s in a part time capcaity as a secretary and Community Development Planner. While working, she studied at the University of New South Wales, completing her BA in 1969, and her MA Qual (the equivalent of Honours) in Sociology in 1972. She then commenced post graduate studies in the newly developing research area, 'The sociology of migration'. While a postgraduate, she worked in the New South Wales Health Department, in schools and Baby Health Centres undertaking research. She also lectured and tutored in various departments at the University of New South Wales. Her research was presented as part of a report entitled Participation to the New South Wales Parliament in 1978, and was regarded as pioneering in its focus on migrant women's issues and needs.

The list of Dorothy's paid and voluntary positions is extensive, as is the list of awards and acknowledgements for her services to the community. The list below is indicative and by no means exhaustive.

Events

1974	Established the Australian-Migrant Women Association in Sydney
1976	Founding Member of the Ethnic Communities Council of New South Wales
1977	Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee Medal - For services to the community
1977	Member of the British Empire (MBE) - For services to the community
1977 - 1978	Multicultural Education Committee - Member
1977 - 1981	Ethnic Affairs Commission of New South Wales - Appointed to the role of part-time Commissioner responsible in the Area of Women
1979	Founding Member of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia
1980 - 1981	Local Industrial board of Inquiry to Investigate Allegations of Graft and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Air Conditioning Depot of the State Rail Authority - The inquiry and subsequent report resulted in radical changes benefiting immigrant women in the workplace
1982	Member of the working party to investigate services to Non-English Speaking Australians in new South Wales hospitals.
1988	Member of the steering committee of the Ethnic Aged Research Project
1989	Founding Member of the Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women
1994	Member of the New South Wales Older Australians Advisory Committee established by the Commonwealth Department of Human Services
2001	Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales: Life Membership - Acknowledged for her valuable contribution to the Greek orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales
2001	Victorian Honour Roll of Women - Acknowledged for her contribtion to Victoria and the Nation, as part of the Centenary of Federation
2002	Greek and Cypriot Women of Australia Award for Excellence
2002	Community Women's Committee Award - Plaque awarded on International Women's Day for contribution to the welfare of women
2002 - 2004	President of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
2006	Greek Community Women's Committee. International Women's Day Celebrations - Honoured for contribution to the community

Commissioner

• Ethnic Affairs Commission - New South Wales (1976 - )

  Dorothy Buckland-Fuller was a part-time commissioner on the ethnic affairs commission. She was responsible for issues relating to women, and contributed to the important, 1978 report Participation.

  [1977 - 1981]

Country of birth/heritage

• Greece Born Community of Australia

Featured in

• Being Seen And Heard: Migrant Women Organising In Australia, A Documentary History (2006 - )

Founded by

• Australian-Migrant Women's Association (1974 - c. 1990)

Founding member

• Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (1987 - )

Membership

• Women's Electoral Lobby (1972 - )
• Women's Network (1984 - )

Presided

• Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Australia Section) (1919 - )

  Dorothy Buckland-Fuller has been a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom since 1982, She was president in 2002-4.

Related Events

• Immigrant and Refugee Women's Speakout

  Attended the first Immigrant and Refugee Women's Speakout

Related People

• Mottee, Matina (1931 - )

  Dorothy Buckland-Fuller and Matina Mottee were both activists and contemporaries in the migrant women's network. They were founding members of the Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women.

• Mulder, Beryl (1941 - )

  Beryl Mulder and Dorothy Buckland-Fuller are contemporaries and have a high regard for the work each has done on behalf women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. They have both served on the executive of the Federation of Ethnic Communties Councils of Australia.

See also

• Sawer, Marian, 'Double Disadvantage: Migrant and Aboriginal Women', in Sisters in Suits: Women and Public Policy in Australia, Allen and Unwin, North Sydney, 1990, pp. 107-139. [ Details... ]