2023-03-07
WA Senator Dorinda Cox will be recognised tonight for her contribution to Western Australia as a former police officer, researcher and policy maker in family and domestic violence, and the first First Nations woman to represent the state in the Senate.
Since its launch in 2011, the WA Women’s Hall of Fame has recognised 247 inspiring women from a variety of professions and diverse cultural backgrounds for their achievements and contribution to Western Australia.
To mark International Women’s Day 2023, the WA Women’s Hall of Fame will host its awards evening on Tuesday 7 March in the Government House Ballroom. The evening starts in the Lady Kyle garden before moving into the ballroom for the ceremony.
Following a Welcome to Country performed by Aunty Glenda Kickett, a WA Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, attendees will be addressed by the new Minister for Women’s Interest The Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, and then the 2023 inductees will be announced.
Following the event there will be a free photographic exhibition in Perth honouring the inductees starting at Brookfield Place, Tower 1 (March 8-17) and a digital exhibition at Yagan Square Digital Tower on March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The photographic exhibition will then travel to Cottesloe, Melville, Geraldton, Albany, Mt Lawley, Subiaco and Bunbury.
Quotes attributable to Australian Greens Senator, and Yamatji Noongar woman, Dorinda Cox:
“It’s such an honour to be acknowledged by the WA Women’s Hall of Fame for International Women’s Day. I’m grateful for the recognition of the work that I have contributed to in justice, family and domestic violence, and child protection over my career, but there’s still so much work to be done.
“As a Senator for Western Australia, I’m just getting started. The Australian Greens have entrusted me with the responsibility for First Nations, Resources, Trade, Tourism and Science portfolios. And there is so much opportunity in all of these areas for WA and for the country.
“2023 is a particularly important year for First Nations people - we’re facing a referendum on constitutional recognition. I support the Uluru Statement in its entirety, so that means advancing Truth-telling and Treaty-making alongside progress on the Voice to Parliament referendum.
“I’m proud to be standing alongside other First Nations women who deserve this acknowledgement tonight, and to be representing the strong matriarchs in my family who have faced the trauma of being five generations of the Stolen Generation. It’s their resilience that carries me forward to do the important, yet difficult work that helps our community.”