About NCWA
Representing the voices of women in Australia
Key Priority | History & Purpose | NCWA Constitution
Equity and security for all in Australia.
NCWA works with, and across all sectors, to identify and bring about change to ensure that there is equity and security for all in Australia. For over 125 years National Council members have been making a difference in Australia. NCW New South Wales commenced in 1896. With our roots in the anti-slavery movement, it wasn’t just about ‘getting the vote’ for women, it is about achieving equity and security across all endeavours that encompass life in Australia.
Photo: NCWA Delegates at 2022 ICW-CIF Conference in Avignon, France.
Our Resolutions
At the NCWA Triennial Conference on Thursday, 21st November 2024, NCWA RESOLVED to urge the Australian Government the following five resolutions.
Our key priority
NCWA is focused on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. Our commitment to ending all forms of gender-based violence.
History and Purpose
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
– Margaret Mead
Australia was one of the earliest countries to join the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF), the world’s oldest international women’s organisation. NCWA is a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Council of ICW-CIF.
NCWA links National Council of Women groups across Australia, each with diverse affiliates, in a federal structure and provides a forum for considered debate on policy matters brought forward by the constituent Councils. NCWA also accept National Affiliates – subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
In the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, members maintain an active program of seminars, conferences, consultations, submissions, publications, advocacy and activism.
NCWA identifies the structural impediments to equity and security and then work to address those issues.
Alice Frances Mabel (May) Moss was the first elected President of the National Council of Women of Australia from 1931–36. Source: Stirrers with Style
| NCWA Presidents | NCWA Presidents | Period |
|---|---|---|
| May Moss | 1931 – 1936 | |
| Adelaide Miethke | 1936 – 1942 | |
| Ruby Board | 1942 -1944 | |
| Elsie Blyth | 1945 – 1948 | |
| Ivy Brookes | 1948 – 1952 | |
| Ruth Gibson | 1953 – 1956 | |
| Thelma Metcalfe | 1957 – 1960 | |
| Dorothy Edwards | 1960 – 1964 | |
| Anne Hamilton | 1964 – 1967 | |
| Ada Norris | 1967 – 1970 | |
| Jessie Scotford | 1970 -1973 | |
| Joyce McConnell | 1973 – 1976 | |
| Margaret Davey | 1976 – 1979 | |
| Laurel Mcintosh | 1979 – 1982 | |
| Diane Alley | 1982 – 1985 | |
| Necia Mocatta | 1985 – 1988 | |
| Maureen Giddings | 1988 -1991 | |
| Yvonne Bain | 1991 – 1994 | |
| Gwen Roderick | 1994 – 1997 | |
| Gracia Baylor | 1997 – 2000 | |
| Judith Parker | 2000 -2003 | |
| Leonie Christopherson | 2003-2006 | |
| Hean Bee Wee | 2006 – 2009 | |
| Margaret Findlater-Smith | 2009 – 2012 | |
| Julie Morris | 2012 – 2015 | |
| Barbara Baikie | 2015 – 2018 | |
| Robyn Nolan | 2018 – 2021 | |
| Chiou See Anderson | 2021 – 2024 | |
| Fiona Dorman | 2024- |
NCWA Constitution
NCWA Objects:
- Work for the empowerment and the advancement of women and families
- Link the Constituent Councils of Women in Australia
- Develop national policies and responses on behalf of women on an Australia-wide basis
- Act as a voice on issues and concerns of women and families at National and International
levels - LED Maintain an affiliation with the International Council of Women and work for the
implementation of its plans of action and policies - Work for peaceful settlement of disputes by diplomacy, facilitation, mediation, conciliation
and arbitration