- Entry type: Resource
- Entry ID: AWH003303
Susan Ryan interviewed by Sara Dowse [sound recording]
- Repository National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore Collection
- Reference ORAL TRC 2744
- Date Range 17-Jul-91 - 14-Oct-91
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Description
7 sound tape reels (ca. 410 min.) Susan Ryan, politician, talks about her involvement with WEL (Women’s Electoral Lobby) in Canberra during 1970s and describes the 1st national WEL conference. She then discusses her membership of Labor Party; schooling at Brigidine School at Maroubra; family background; great love of reading and experiences at Sydney University doing Arts, including her memories of Germaine Greer. Ryan then describes the impact of marriage on her career and teaching in a Catholic school, St Patrick’s at Church Hill; coming to Canberra; husband’s posting to Vienna; memories of New York posting and return to Australia in 1971. She then talks about re-enrolling for Master’s Degree; working with Australian Council fo State School Organisations; election to Senate in 1975; WEL agenda; parliamentary experiences; views on Whitlam and her experience as Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Ryan then discusses her relationship with other women in Parliament; Sex Discrimination Bill; education funding and the reasons behind her resignation from both Cabinet and Government. She then talks about her work since then and her current involvement in running an industry association and working on environmental issues.
- Access Written permission required for research, personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Finding Aid Timed summary and corrected transcript available (typescript, 161 leaves).