Coordinator's Report

by Elizabeth Riley

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Staff Changes

I would like to begin by acknowledging the excellent contribution Craig George Andrews has made to the Centre's publications and website over the last four years. Craig resigned from the centre on May 21. His talents as our Resource Development Worker will be greatly missed and we wish him well in his future endeavours. His position has been advertised and we hope to fill the vacancy in the near future.

In the meantime I am delighted to welcome Katherine Cummings to the staff team. Katherine has joined the Centre as a relief worker to take over Craig's role. Many of you will be familiar with Katherine's endeavours as a representative of the transgender community, in particular as the author of Katherine's Diary and as a Democrats candidate in the last federal election. She has many years experience as a librarian of high status and we look forward to the contribution she will make to our service and to the transgender community.

I would also like to farewell Jack Powell, Social and Support Worker, who has tendered his resignation effective from August 1. Jack has been with the Centre for almost a year and has initiated some positive programs for his role. Unfortunately for us he has received an offer of employment more suitable to his needs and has decided to move on. We thank him for his efforts and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.

NSW Police Service

I reported in the last edition of Polare that the police policy was still in the pipeline. Since then a draft policy has been sent to the Anti-Discrimination Board for ratification. Providing the Board is satisfied with it's contents it should be only a short period of time before it is adopted by the NSW Police Service.

As previously stated I believe this policy will go a long way towards ensuring that transgender people are treated fairly and appropriately in any dealings we may have with the police. This in turn will hopefully lead to confidence in reporting crimes, particularly those involving violence, that have previously gone unreported.

We will publish, in full, details of the policy when it is made available. We will also provide any other information that may assist transgenders in taking advantage of the benefits of the policy.

Gay Games

Unfortunately we have still not had final information on this policy in time to beat the deadline for this edition of Polare. We understand the policy is in the hands of solicitors, and is currently being drawn up and should be close to completion. We hope to provide full details in the next edition.

Stonewall 2001

A number of people met at the Pride Centre on May 17 to begin the process of establishing a national lobby group to work towards eliminating discrimination against people based on their gender expression. Participants came from as far a field as Melbourne and Newcastle to attend the meeting.

A range of issues were discussed with the group deciding that it would be inclusive of all those who were subject to gender-based discrimination. The outcome of the first meeting was to commence formulating a mission statement and a set of guidelines under which the group would operate. That process is underway and group members elected to meet again in August to formerly adopt those documents.

The air of the meeting was very positive and it is hoped that the group will become an effective lobbying force within the trans community. Anyone wishing information or wanting to participate in future meetings should contact norrie-mAy-welby on (02) 9319 4866 or email spansexual@cat.org.au

FPA Health

The youth team at FPA Health, formerly Family Planning NSW, recently arranged a meeting with key stakeholders to address the issues of homophobia in public education. Represented at the meeting were NSW Police, DET, ACON, PFLAG, The Gender Centre and other agency representatives. The initial meeting involved a sharing of information on the work conducted through individual agencies and a sharing of ideas. It is envisaged that the group will meet periodically to work towards a reduction in homophobic behaviours within the education system. We look forward to the contribution The Gender Centre will be able to make to this group and we will keep you informed of progress.

South Sydney Council

After a brief break South Sydney Council have reactivated the working party looking at the best ways the council can meet the needs of the Gay, Lesbian and Transgender communities within their boundaries. Bernice Carrington, Council's first Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer resigned in December of last year and the working party was temporarily shelved. Council has now, however, appointed a new person to the role, Suzie Matthews, and we are pleased to be able to continue the work previously commenced. The first meeting largely dealt with a discussion of who would be the appropriate community organisation / community representatives for the committee and the appropriate balance between organisations and individuals on board. The ultimate role of the committee will be to act as advisory body to council on issues concerning our communities.

Anyone interested in nominating for the committee as a committee member should see the advertisement on p.16.

The Gender Centre AGM

Just a note to inform all members that the Annual General Meeting of The Gender Centre will be held on Thursday September 27 at Jarvie Park Youth Facility, Yabsley Avenue, Marrickville. Be there at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. See advertisement on p.19.

Hip Replacement Surgery for Marie Fisher

Maria is well known to many members of the transgender community and has contributed enormously through her endeavours with the Luncheon Club. Maria is going into hospital on August 1 for a hip replacement and we wish her a speedy recovery. Thinking of you, Maria.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.