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| Ann Morrow SHORT CV related to refugee activities
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Family: Married (twice). Four adult children. Education: Attended school at Kilbreda – a Brigidine school. Under-graduate and post-graduate studies at the University of Melbourne. Recently submitted my Ph.D thesis for examination. (Title of thesis: The Politics of Educational Disadvantage: The impact of central government policies on secondary schools' capacities to improve educational outcomes for their socially disadvantaged students'.) Some recent employment history. I currently work par-time, both on a paid and on an unpaid basis, on education projects. 1996 – 1997 Program Director, Australian Technology Network's Women's Executive Development Program. The ATN comprises the Queensland University of Technology; the University of Technology, Sydney; RMIT; the University of South Australia and Curtin University of Technology. I designed and established an Executive Development Program for the senior women in the 5 universities. 1991 - 1996 Chair, Schools Council, National Board of Employment, Education and Training. The Schools' Council advised the Federal Minister for Education on national issues relating to schools. 1988-1991 Chief Executive, Ministry of Education and Training, Victoria 1985-1988 Director, Social Development Division, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria 1986-1987 Manager, Social Justice Strategy Unit, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria Early career My first-hand experience of the complex problems faced by people who come from overseas began in the 60s when I worked in the Commonwealth Office of Education as a Liaison Officer for the Colombo Plan, looking after people who'd come from developing countries to study in Australia. I was prepared for many aspects of this work – but not the loneliness of the students, some of whom were always waiting outside my office in the mornings when I arrived at work. (They wanted to 'just sit here ?we won't disturb your work ?it's just to be near people who know us?') When I graduated, I began my professional career as a secondary school teacher. This again brought me into contact with families from overseas, always terribly anxious that their children should have better lives than they themselves had had, but often facing enormously complex tensions between their cultures and the unexpected pressures of making their way in a new (and often u comprehending) community. Then, when I had babies, I drifted inexorably into the community-based child-care movement. Those were the days (late 70s-early 80s) when the Federal Government gave priority to community-initiated children's services over privatised, commercial ones. I ended up working for Community Child Care, a federally-funded, resource centre that helped parents set up and manage family and child care services. CCC, in turn, had links with the Aboriginal Child Care Agency and helped establish the Victorian Association of Children's Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG) which endures today and which has a huge role providing practical help to refugee families and their kids. I joined the Victorian Public Service in 1982. Local Government experience In 1974, when young families like ours were looking in vain for support from our ageing Council, for services that we needed, I was persuaded by neighbours to stand for Council in the then City of Malvern, and became 1 of the first 2 women to be elected to that Council in its 100+ year history. In 1979, I became Malvern's first woman mayor. Other relevant (?) professional and public service experience Experience as a member of such bodies as the Australian Language and Literacy Council, the Board of the National Korean Studies Centre (Vic), the (national) Asian Studies Council), etc, have also heightened my awareness of the importance of Australia remaining open to cultures other than our own and welcoming to the people who represent those cultures – especially when they have suffered repression and trauma. Community and professional involvement : Convenor, Friends of Maribyrnong Detainees. Board of Trustees, Dusseldorp Skills Forum (Private education and training Foundation established by the Founder of the Lend Lease Corporation). Deputy Chair, WynBay Local Employment and Education Network Board Member, Slingshot – self-employment program for young people. Convenor, Australian Schools Lobby. Management Committee Member, Deakin Centre for Education and Change. Member and Fellow, Australian College of Education I sing in 2 community choirs in my locality. |
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Mary-Lou Howie 0401 811 893 If not available: |
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