Voices rise up for the voiceless
The Catholic Women’s League Australia (CWLA) held its 48th National Biennial Conference in Adelaide during September 2017. 160 delegates gathered from around the country representing their local community and volunteers.
The CWLA helps improve the lives of the homeless, refugees, children in need, and many other at-risk groups. It gives voice to the voiceless by addressing social justice and ethical questions, and by influencing legislative and administrative bodies at all levels.
Every two years volunteer representatives from the State member organisations come together for a conference featuring guest speakers, council meeting, and State reports.
Anne Marie Clark, National President of CWLA, has been kind enough to give CCI an overview.
“Our theme for the conference was a Mary MacKillop saying, Never see a need without doing something about it. And we just added onto the end of that, Live Generously.”
Over the three days guest speakers included Bill Denny, an ex-serviceman, who spoke about the contribution of the Catholic Women’s League during the war years, and their Cheer Up Huts for soldiers. CWLA Research Officer, Sonia Di Mezza, spoke about elder abuse. Bioethics Convenor, Dr Deirdre Little, spoke about her love for the most vulnerable and about euthanasia. And Catherine McGrath, WUCWO Board Member Australia, spoke about the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in Suva, Fiji.
As part of the Youth Forum, Alecia Curran from Encounter Youth gave a presentation on Party Safe education. Peter Bierer, Coordinator of the Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults, spoke about the strong relationship his office has with parishes and school communities. And Anne Marie Ferry, Social Issues Convenor, spoke about her concern for victims of unjust policies.
“The keynote speaker was Father Richard Leonard,’ said Anne Marie. “He spoke to the conference theme in relation to our faith and how we live that.” He also highlighted the fact that, in the history of the Catholic church, there are only two saints, both women, who have been excommunicated and then canonised: St Joan of Arc and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
One of the added benefits of the conference is the opportunity it gave delegates from around the country to meet, or reunite, and share their experiences. And after dinner on the Tuesday night, it also gave them the opportunity to make full use of the dance floor.
For more information about the Catholic Women’s League, visit www.cwla.org.au
CCI Personal Insurance was a proud sponsor of the CWLA Bienniel Conference.