Sara Lynch ~ AWOYA President
Message from the President
It is an honour to be representing one of the oldest organisations in Australia celebrating women's achievements across the nation.
I follow in the footsteps of inspiring and capable former presidents of the Association. This is my third year as President and second consecutive year chairing a Luncheon committee. I have also served as Treasurer and Secretary of the national committee. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of each of the National Committee members as they are working hard behind the scenes all year to maintain our organisation and deliver a successful annual Luncheon.
I encourage each of you to consider taking on a leadership role in our Association. This will ensure its viability into the future. Please don’t hesitate in contacting me or any of my fellow national committee members if you would like to discuss your active involvement in AWOYA.
At the 2013 AGM we decided to develop a Life Membership category of AWOYA membership. A sub-committee led by Cr Carol Martin has been working on the development of a policy which will be considered by the 2014 AGM.
The 2014 luncheon promises to be another wonderful opportunity to bring together a diverse and talented group of women to acknowledge and learn from each other's experiences and achievements. Guest speakers will again provide inspiration to us, sharing their personal stories. Proceeds from the Melbourne luncheon will be donated to the Australian Childhood Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and families devastated by abuse, family violence and neglect.
I am reminded each year of the calibre of AWOYA membership. This has most recently been evidenced with one of our long standing members, Doreen Cherry, OAM being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of the North Shore on Australia Day 2014. This illustrates both her leadership and the benefit of AWOYA to the women of Australia.
I look forward to meeting you all again in Melbourne in October.
The Women of Year Luncheon Association Inc., was the creation and the inspiration of the Marchioness Lothian in London in l955. The proceeds of that luncheon were donated to the Greater London Fund for the Blind.
Helping charity was not the luncheon’s prime objective, it was meant to help women to bring together a wide cross-section of working women who had distinguished themselves in their careers, to enable them to meet each other and hear the views of world-famous women on important issues.
The indispensable rule was that each invitation must be based on merit, never on money. The absolute requirement was that all those asked must have distinguished themselves either by their courage, artistic or academic achievement, business or professional talent and work in their communities, in short, excellence in a chosen career.
Therefore the main purpose of the Luncheon is to honour women from all walks of life.
Elizabeth Escolme Schmidt of Queensland brought the concept of the Luncheon to Australia and the first Australian Women of the Year Luncheon was held in October, l975 in Brisbane.
Owing to the long distances that must be travelled in Australia, and to enable as many women as possible to have the opportunity of attending this Luncheon, it is held in a different capital city each year.