My friends, I offer you the warmest of welcomes to Government House this afternoon.

I acknowledge the traditional keepers of this beautiful place and I express my gratitude to the wise Indigenous women who have taught me across my life what it is to be an Elder.

I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be included in their ceremonies and conversations on country, from Papunya to Leopold Downs and beyond.

I want you to know how thrilled and delighted I am, as your Patron, that you are here to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Australian Women’s Health Network.

I think the occasion calls for a little history; perhaps indulging in a little nostalgia.

There is indeed much to take pride in.

This important and influential peak organisation was set up in 1986 by women at the inaugural Community Health Association Conference.

The Adelaide Women’s Health Conference the year before, and an announcement by the PM about developing a national women’s health policy, highlighted for them the need for a feminist perspective in general health policy debates.

At the first AWHN meeting in 1987, objectives, structure and strategic planning, were developed – the main purpose – to present a well articulated set of priorities to Commonwealth and State Governments.

So of course a newsletter came next.

“At last, A thousand welcomes sisters, we’ve needed you so much” wrote the Hunter Region Working Women’s Centre for the first issue.

My friends: All of us here this afternoon understand why the network was such a vital initiative.

It was a crucial time for lobbying and advocating on issues affecting women’s health, for supporting women in getting involved in all decision making affecting their health and wellbeing, for emphasising fairness and equity, particularly for women disadvantaged by race, class, education, age, poverty, sexuality, disability, geographical location, cultural isolation and language, and for working towards securing women’s control over, and responsibility for, our own sexual health and reproduction.

Friends, gathered here today are women who have made significant and valuable contributions to these issues and to the women’s health movement across decades.

Visionary pioneers who stand as a source of courage and support – women whose names come immediately to mind when we reflect on the gains made in opening new understandings, knowledge about our bodies and ourselves, about empowerment and confidence.

They are scientists, advocates, administrators, academics, organisers from many disciplines, backgrounds, but sharing a commitment and dedication to women – to life changing health and medical information, to access to services, to generating research and policy analysis.

Let us remember, too, with affection and respect the powerful influence of the Boston Women’s Health Book collective.

Beginning with the publication of the first edition of “Our Bodies, Ourselves” (now 40 years old, in its fourth edition), it inspired us, and introduced us to fresh concepts in the public discourse on women’s health, messages to women of my generation about being our own health experts, about being catalysts for social change, as informed health consumers, about discussing issues of health and sexuality with each other.

I think this afternoon we can enjoy some heart-warming and uplifting experiences about those times working together, internationally and at grass roots level.

Who could have imagined the advances that have been made?

Each one of them represents hard work, determination, leadership, collaboration, rigorous research and scholarship.

Across 25 years AWHN has played a remarkable role in improving the health and wellbeing of Australian women and the broader community, generously giving time, energy, skills, volunteering by women around the country.

A milestone of particular mention – the National Women’s Health Conferences staged every 5 years since 1995 – more than 160 Aboriginal women participated in that year, setting the foundation for the Aboriginal women’s Group AWHN, Talking Circle.

Huge effort has gone into trying to secure Government and non-Government funding over your 25 years.

Marvellous to relate in September last year AWHN received secretariat funding for 2011-2012 from the Community Health Support Scheme.

My friends, what a wonderful thing it is that your proud history has been written by

Dr Gwen Gray – “Reaching for Health: the Australian Women’s Health Movement and Public Policy.” – an account of the richly diverse efforts and enduring concentration you gave.

In her letter to me recently Dr Gray told me that it all began with a brainstorm of a group of women sitting under an oak tree for coffee at that first Australian Community Health Conference in Adelaide 25 years ago.

How I love stories like that – under the trees, on the back steps, by the river bank. 

Wherever we get together to talk about the changes we need, we want, we hope for, in our lives and in our neighbourhoods. 

Thank you for what you have done.

Congratulations on your 25th anniversary.