National Council of Women Victoria

Dear NCWV Members, Delegates and Friends,

Women's Health

Thank YOU to the many women in our network who responded to our NCWV Women’s Health Survey to inform the Australian Senate Select Committee on Women’s Health. Once the Submission, lodged on 7 October, is published on the Parliament website we will provide you with a link. Ronniet, President NCWV

Respect, Social Cohesion and Harmony
We are fortunate to have received a substantial donation from Past President Rysia Rozen OAM to combat ignorance and racism, and encourage respect, harmony, and social cohesion in the Victorian community. We look forward to YOU participating in events in 2027, as ambassadors for Respect and Social Cohesion.

Wellbeing and Interior Design – Tuesday 24 November 2026, 12:00pm – conversation at NCWV Annual Lunch with award winning designer Tonya Hinde
She has a genuine passion for designing with empathy for the people who will use the space and contributed significantly to groundbreaking projects such as The Royal Children's Hospital, Perth Children's Hospital, and Orygen Development for Youth Mental Health. View Tonya Hinde | BEYOND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT or read Tonya Hinde on “The Creativity of Caring” | Billard Leece Partnership.

Election Scorecard and online Town Hall on Tuesday 10 November 2026 – with a gendered lens
The Standing Committee are presenting an online Town Hall meeting and scorecard considering policies of registered political parties ahead of the Victorian election.

Join us at the Council Meeting on 5 November at 5:15 pm for a ‘background briefing’, and Tuesday night 10 November for the online Town Hall involving representatives of political parties.

Australian Findings on the State of the World’s Fathers Report from Council Meeting on 1 October 2026
We explored the Australian Findings in relation to the State of the World’s Fathers Report – what caregiving looks like in Australian families – and what needs to change. The findings offer a comprehensive evidence base to guide policy, practice, and public discourse on fathering and caregiving in Australia. View the State of the World’s Fathers Report.

Gender Equality Advocates remembered
This month we recall the untiring advocacy for equality and women’s reproductive rights of Gloria Steinem the Editor of Ms. We have the music of ‘9 to 5’ ringing in our ears again following the death of Dolly Parton. We reflect on the role of journalism, Art and humour in encouraging culture change!

Save the Dates:

The October edition of the NCWV Newsletter is now available.


PLEASE CONTACT NCWV FOR AN APPLICATION or RENEWAL FORM or CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO DOWNLOAD THE FORMS

>> 2026-2027 NCWV Individual Membership Application Form
>> 2026-2027 NCWV Individual Membership Renewal - Information Form and Fees


>> 2026-2027 NCWV Organisation Membership Application Form
>> 2026-2027 NCWV Organisation Member Renewal and Delegate Details Form

Email: [email protected]



Opportunities for Personal Development at NCWV

We have opportunities for personal development at NCWV. Click on the links below for more information


Click here to view the 2026 NCWV Annual Report.

Click here to read our statement regarding the violent attack at the Bondi Beach Hanukkah event.

The following newsletters are now available: October 2026, September 2026, August 2026, July 2026,June 2026, May 2026, April 2026,March 2026,February 2026,December 2025,November 2025,October 2025,August 2025,July 2025, June 2025, May 2025, April 2025, March 2025, February 2025, December 2024, November 2024, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, June 2024, May 2024, April 2024

NCWV Committee for 2026/7

The AGM on Thursday 3 September 2026 was attended by 18 members in person and 13 members by ZOOM.

The Returning Officer was continuing Honorary Secretary Phoebe Swift, who informed the meeting that all of the nominations were provided in accordance with the rules, and as there being only one nomination for each position – the nominees were elected.

Subsequently at the Committee Meeting on 17 September 2026, new Individual Member Jane Frawley was appointed as Honorary Secretary A – Secretary to the Council.

President

Ronniet Milliken

Vice President

A Robyn Byrne OAM

Vice President

B Sarah Barnbrook

Hon. Secretary A

Jane Frawley

Hon. Secretary B

Phoebe Swift

Public Officer

Meenakshi Bhayani

Hon. Treasurer

Meenakshi Bhayani

Convenor Standing Committees

Sarah Barnbrook

General Members

June Anderson, Asha Chintapalli, Guosheng Chen, Pam Hammond, Dr Julie Stevens, Dr Deborah Towns OAM, Hean Bee Wee AM

Standing Committees

Convenor Standing Committees

Sarah Barnbrook

Status of Women

Coordinator

Sarah Barnbrook

Adviser Implementation of Conventions

Robyn Byrne OAM

Adviser Legislation

Ronniet Milliken

Adviser Human Rights

Sarah Barnbrook

General Wellbeing

Coordinator

Julie Stevens

Adviser Health

Prof Cassandra Szoeke

Adviser Nutrition

Adviser Habitat

Asha Chintapalli

Adviser Environment

Sustainable Development

Coordinator

Dr Deborah Towns OAM

Adviser Women and Employment

Dr Deborah Towns OAM, Niti Bhargava

Adviser Rural and Regional Women

Chris Rippon

Adviser Consumer Affairs

Adviser Economics

Niti Bhargava

Communications

Coordinator

Sarah Barnbrook

Adviser Education

Elida Brereton / Pam Hammond

Adviser Arts and Letters

Elida Brereton

Adviser ICT, Social Media & Mass Media

Sarah Barnbrook

Adviser Music

Vacant

Social Issues

Coordinator

Dr Yee Man Louie

Adviser Child and Family

Dr Rumbi Nyanhoto

Adviser Youth

Sarah Barnbrook

Adviser Multicultural Affairs

Niti Bhargava

Adviser Ageing

Vacant

NCWV Note: Representative Committee Members

Individual Members Representative

Pam Hammond

Geelong Branch Representative

Nonie Crozier

Young NCWV Representative

Vacant

Membership

Membership means you can

Mission Statement

National Council of Women of Victoria, NCWV, is a non-party-political, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, umbrella organisation with broadly humanitarian and educational objectives. It seeks to raise the awareness of women as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens and encourages their participation in all aspects of community life.

Goals

Work for the empowerment of women and families and to promote equal status for women in law and fact.
Develop policies and responses on behalf of women on a state-wide basis.
Act as a voice on issues and concerns of women at state and regional levels.
Link with the women of Australia and the International Council of Women through the National Council of Women of Australia and contribute to the implementation of their plans of action and policies.

Theme

NCWV has adopted the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) Theme: “Transforming Society through the Empowerment of Women”

Who’s under our Umbrella?

National Council of Women of Victoria membership comprises organisations (affiliates), eligible organizations of women or men and women, and individual members approved by the Council.

>> List of organisations (affiliates)





We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.

Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.