Decision details

By Councillor Scott

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         Jessie Street National Women’s Library is a unique specialist library dedicated to the preservation of Australian women’s work, words and history;

(ii)        the Library was established in 1989 and is named after Jessie Street, a lifelong campaigner for women’s rights, the peace movement and the elimination of discrimination against Aboriginal people;

(iii)      the Library’s mission is to:

(a)       collect the published and unpublished materials which document the lives and experience of women of all ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds and of all socio-economic classes;

(b)       ensure that documents relating to Australian women’s lives and activities are preserved and made accessible;

(c)       highlight the contribution of Australian women to this country’s development; and

(d)       support the field of women’s history;

(iv)      Jozefa Soboski has served almost continuously as Board Chair since 2006;

(v)       this year will be her last year as Board Chair, however, she will remain as a volunteer;

(vi)      Jozefa was brought up in a migrant hostel, she has been a teacher, non-sexist education adviser to NSW Ministers, TAFE Director, and Deputy Director-General of NSW Education;

(vii)     Jozefa used these positions, and her membership of many voluntary organisations, to promote programs to achieve equal education outcomes for girls and women and create opportunities for marginalised communities through education and training;

(viii)    under Jozefa’s leadership the Jessie Street National Women’s Library became a significant research centre housing archives of national significance to the history of women’s participation in our nation;

(ix)      everyone loves her for her energy, her enthusiasm and the generosity with which she contributes to making the world around her better; and

(x)       the City of Sydney is supporting Jessie Street Library’s current location at the Ultimo Community Centre through the Accommodation Grants Program. The Library was relocated to this site in October 2005; and

(B)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Jozefa Soboski AM thanking her for her years of service to our community.

Note – at the meeting of Council, the content of the original Notice of Motion was varied by Councillor Scott. Subsequently it was –

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         Jessie Street National Women’s Library is a unique specialist library dedicated to the preservation of Australian women’s work, words and history;

(ii)        the Library was established in 1989 and is named after Jessie Street, a lifelong campaigner for women’s rights, the peace movement and the elimination of discrimination against Aboriginal people;

(iii)      the Library’s mission is to:

(a)    collect the published and unpublished materials which document the lives and experience of women of all ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds and of all socio-economic classes;

(b)    ensure that documents relating to Australian women’s lives and activities are preserved and made accessible;

(c)    highlight the contribution of Australian women to this country’s development; and

(d)    support the field of women’s history;

(iv)      Jozefa Soboski has served almost continuously as Board Chair since 2006;

(v)       this year will be her last year as Board Chair, however, she will remain as a volunteer;

(vi)      Jozefa was brought up in a migrant hostel, she has been a teacher, non-sexist education adviser to NSW Ministers, TAFE Director, and Deputy Director-General of NSW Education;

(vii)     Jozefa used these positions, and her membership of many voluntary organisations, to promote programs to achieve equal education outcomes for girls and women and create opportunities for marginalised communities through education and training;

(viii)    under Jozefa’s leadership, the Jessie Street National Women’s Library became significant as a research centre housing books, serials, archives, posters and memorabilia of national significance to the history of women’s participation in our nation and advocacy for women’s equality;

(ix)      everyone loves her for her energy, her enthusiasm and the generosity with which she contributes to making the world around her better; and

(x)       the City of Sydney is supporting Jessie Street Library’s current location at the Ultimo Community Centre through the Accommodation Grants Program. The Library was relocated to this site in October 2005; and

(B)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Jozefa Soboski AM thanking her for her years of service to our community.

Carried unanimously.

Note – all Councillors, staff and members of the public present acknowledged Jozefa by round of applause.

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