UniSA honours leading feminist Anne Summers

The University of South Australia will honour Anne Summers for her lifetime of fighting for women’s rights when it makes the pioneering feminist an honorary doctor of the University this week.

A leading feminist, editor and publisher, Dr Summers will be presented with her honorary doctorate during the graduation ceremony being held tomorrow (Tuesday March 18) from 3pm.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Prof David Lloyd says Dr Summers is an inspiration not just to young women, but to all graduates, on what can be achieved through scholarship and commitment to ideas and change over a long period of time.

“Anne is one of Australia’s most accomplished women, a best-selling author, journalist, political activist and thought leader with a long career in politics, the media, business and the non-government sector in Australia, Europe and the United States,” Prof Lloyd says.

“Born in Deniliquin in New South Wales but raised in Adelaide, Anne was a leader of the generation and the movement that changed Australia for women and contributed to increasing women’s participation in higher education. Her involvement in the women’s movement earned her widespread respect and she has even been honoured as an Australian legend with her image placed on a postage stamp.”

Dr Summers is the author of several books, including Damned Whores and God’s Police, first published in 1975, which changed the way women were perceived in this country. A best-seller, it was updated in 1994 and again in 2002 and stayed continuously in print until 2008 – an incredible 33 years.

She was one of five women who formed the Women’s Liberation Movement in Australia, created the Elsie Women’s Refuge for women and children who were victims of domestic violence and, as a journalist, won a coveted Walkley Award for her investigation into the NSW prison system.

In 1983 she joined the Hawke Government’s Prime Minister’s Department running the Office for the Status of Women and helped develop policies that put into practice all the things she had fought for at an activist level.

In 1987 she became editor-in-chief of America’s landmark feminist magazine Ms. and the following year, along with business partner Sandra Yates, bought Ms. and Sassy magazines in the second only women-led management buyout in US corporate history. In 1989 she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women.

Dr Summers joins other prominent national and international identities including NASA Administrator, Major General Charles Bolden, Vice Chancellor of the University of Queensland Professor Peter Høj and renowned winemaker Wolf Blass who are being awarded honorary doctorates during the University’s graduation ceremonies this week at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Media contact: Kelly Stone office 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email Kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au

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First South Australian Indigenous occupational therapist graduates from UniSA

Trevor Ritchie will become the first Indigenous occupational therapist in South Australia when he graduates from the University of South Australia this week.

Trevor will be one of more than 5000 UniSA students to graduate this month in ceremonies from March 17 – 21.   

For Trevor, the milestone of becoming the first Indigenous OT in South Australia is his own personal important step forward in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

“Life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is significantly shorter than non-Indigenous Australians and they experience higher rates of preventable illness such as heart disease and diabetes,” Trevor says.

“I experienced this health inequity first hand - I grew up in the country on an Aboriginal mission called Point Pearce and as a child I always had health issues.

“I chose to study OT because of my own experiences and health issues and because the core values of OT – equity, social justice and a holistic approach to health – align with my own values.

“As the first Aboriginal occupational therapist in South Australia I have a sense and a passion to lead and support other Indigenous allied health professionals to follow in my footsteps. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by  the enormity of closing the gap in Aboriginal health inequity but I’m committed to playing my part.”

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) student has already secured a position, working as an OT at Novita Children’s Services. Trevor also works part-time as a graduate project officer at UniSA, supporting a number of Indigenous student engagement activities at the University.

“As a health professional I hope I’ll be able to push for generational change through my personal interactions with Aboriginal clients, ensuring they receive the best evidenced-based care,” Trevor says.

“I want to be proactive in the development of holistic policy for Aboriginal people that takes into account the social determinants of health such as education and housing employment.

“I am also passionate about education and I hope to promote the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal students at university, and to enable more Aboriginal professional health workers in our communities.”

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says graduations are days of celebration and anticipation.

“This is when we celebrate not only students’ hard work and success but also the potential of what comes next in their careers,” Prof Lloyd says.

“Like Trevor so many of our students are graduating from university with a drive to have a real impact on the world, to make their mark in their chosen field and at the same time to work towards a better society.  

“In March alone, nearly 500 graduates will start their journeys as teachers to the next generation.

“And more than 500 nurses will begin careers caring for some of our most vulnerable citizens – the sick, the injured and the elderly.

“I feel very proud when I see those figures and when I meet students like Trevor because I know UniSA has provided not only the education but also the inspiration for them to reach their goals and to make a tangible difference in the world.”   

Media Contact

Rosanna Galvin office (08) 8302 0578 mobile 0434 603 457 email rosanna.galvin@unisa.edu.au

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