Equal
Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency is a statutory authority of the Australian
Commonwealth. EOWA’s role is to administer the Equal
Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 and through education, assist organisations
such as the Catholic Education Office to achieve equal opportunity for women.
The Catholic Education Office involves staff in consultation and is required to submit an annual workplace program report (for the period April to March). You can read the Report from the CEO on Reporting period: 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 (pdf document).
The EOW Committee is keen to explain to schools where EOWA fits in, and what it is all about. We have designed this logo to help draw the different elements together. For more information click on the links below to related websites:
Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency website
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA)
EOW Committee - Statement of Intent or download .pdf.
During this past year the issues on the EOW Committee agenda have included promoting EOW in the workplace, leadership, casual staff, part-time/job sharing staff and re-entry into the profession. Read details of earlier initiatives progressed in these meetings of the EOW Committee or download the 2-page pdf document.
"Women in Australia have the highest part time participation in the industrialised world." (EOWA website). Discussion around flexible work practices at the meetings arose out of research into casual, job share and part-time work for staff of the Catholic Education Office. Read the case studies written by teachers who have worked in the Diocese under “job sharing” conditions. In these highly engaging stories their expertise and understanding of job sharing presents valuable insight.
Following on from this experience, in December 2003 and again in December 2004 the Catholic Education Office has taken the initiative to conduct a workshop in Wollongong on job sharing and Teachers Sharing Teaching. The workshops have been well attended and greatly appreciated as an expression of commitment to our employees. The workshops have been highly commended by all involved as a valuable contribution to quality learning and teaching.
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As an outcome of the work to date and in support of job sharing and flexible work practices the Catholic Education Office has issued resource material to schools in a kit; Teachers Sharing Teaching: A School Resource. A hardcopy of the resource has been distributed to each school in May 2004 and further updates and additions will be available online. Download the Teachers Sharing Teaching: A School Resource kit here (updated 14/11/2005). |
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The EOW Committee recognises our Catholic Schools have a unique role in being the stewards for our next generation, having the ability to promote attitudes, beliefs and practices that will be foundational for our society in the future. We will continue to work within the culture of our schools to ensure that our students are engaged in dialogue around issues significant to equality in society and to ensure that in their treatment of each other, students respect the dignity of each individual and create environments free from harassment. The TolR8 competition in schools of the Diocese of Wollongong is to stimulate creative thinking about tolerance, human rights and dignity. Following on from the success of 2005, the 2006 TolR8 competition focused on raising awareness of the need to embrace and accept differences. |
Sharing personal stories from staff across the Diocese to illustrate the changing face of work and some of the challenges and opportunities for the future
Equal opportunity, work/life balance, the advancement of women into leadership and other workplace issues have been very much on the agenda in recent times. Our workforce has a wealth of life experience and stories to tell about this. As a result our EOW Committee (Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Committee) embarked on the “EOW Book” project to gather personal stories that display some of the ways in which our workplace and work environment has been evolving and adapting. This is intended to celebrate the achievements, highlight the challenges and recognise the unique nature of schooling in shaping the future generation.
Prior to this we had published the personal stories of job sharing teachers, uncovering real professionalism and the sort of personal commitment and valuable experience that could help others. This inspired the “EOW Book” project.
There is still time for you or your school to contribute a story to add to the “EOW Book” project. Please refer to the EOW Book Project Brief for further information. At this stage it is an electronic publication that can continue to grow; however, we do intend in time to publish Tales of Work and Life as a book.
The EOW Committee would like to sincerely thank all those employees who contributed to the “EOW Book” project.
March 8 is celebrated across the world as International Women’s Day and provides an opportunity to recognise the achievements of women and their contribution to society. On this day, women can celebrate the progress that has been made but also contemplate those areas of women’s lives where more can be done. Celebrated globally from Alaska to Zambia, International Women’s Day has recognised women’s equality worldwide since 1908.
Read the rest of the story....
Wednesday 7th December 2005, Centacare Wollongong
View the Photo gallery of this event
Wednesday 8th December 2004, Centacare Wollongong
View the Photo gallery of this event
The EOW Committee meets regularly each term at Catholic Church Offices, Marian Centre in Wollongong. Meetings of the EOW Committee for 2008 are planned for;
Jane Comensoli, Head of Employee Services
Leah Crawford from CEO Work Environment Team, Employee Services at CEO (Chairperson)
Christine McCormack from CEO Work Environment Team, Employee Services at CEO
Margaret Chittick from CEO Work Environment Team, Employee Services at CEO
Belinda Hughes from Learning Services at CEO New!
Paul Moroney from St Michael’s Primary School, Mittagong New!
Peter Dempsey from St John’s Primary School, Dapto New!
Carroll Hatfield from St Therese Primary School, West Wollongong
Samantha McGarrity from Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Rosemeadow
Carol Sutherland from Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Rosemeadow New!
Amanda Wilson from Holy Spirit College, Bellambi
Kerry Esmond from Holy Spirit College, Bellambi New!
Kim Stutchbury from St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Albion Park
Kelly Upton from Corpus Christi Catholic High, Oak Flats
All members of the EOW Committee welcome comments from staff regarding any matters that relate to the work of the EOW Committee. Emails to address matters to the EOW Committee can be sent to: Margaret Chittick.
Kathie D'Souza and Michelle Masterson – Nazareth Catholic Primary School, Shellharbour City
Judy Wilyman – Holy Spirit College, Bellambi
Narelle Nuttall – St Pius X, Unanderra
Jacinta McNamara – Holy Spirit College
Ann Conte – John Therry Catholic High
Michelle Rodwell and Jan Cleal – Holy Spirit College, Bellambi
Marianne Fetterplace – St Patricks College, Campbelltown
EOWA Public Report (.pdf)
EOWA Report Appendix (.pdf)
Feedback from Anna McPhee, Director of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (10 August 2004) commenting on actions during the past year, for instance:
"... your EOWA Client Consultant was particularly inspired by the actions and results that Catholic Education Office — Diocese of Wollongong has achieved in several areas under the auspices of your Equal Opportunity Committee including the website and work on job-share and part time. Your work on the leadership framework also warrants particular mention."