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AUSTRALIA
welcomes new
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WIZO
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Contact
your local
WIZO Office:

 
 
New South Wales
Tel: (02) 9387-3666
 
Queensland
Tel: (07) 3715-6562
 
South Australia
Tel: (08) 8379-0144
 
Victoria
Tel: (03) 9272-5588
 
Western Australia
Tel: (08) 9276-7420
 
 
 
 
 
 
WIZO Australia News  
Gilla Liberman
WIZO AUSTRALIA
22nd TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE
5th-7th June 2010

  report by Gilla Liberman,
  Federal President,
  WIZO Australia

 
Our national Conference, held in Melbourne, marked the end of Jo Gostin's successful six years as President of WIZO Australia. Helena Glaser, President of World WIZO, (pic right) was our special guest and keynote speaker. She mesmerised the Conference attendees with her descriptions of the breadth of WIZO's work - work on behalf of the women and children in Israel.
 
The Conference opened with an Israeli-Style dinner in the home of Lisa Tenenbaum. There was a great ruach in the room, with chaverot from all States enjoying the time to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones.
 
Sunday morning began with Jo Gostin's President's Report in which she outlined the many achievements since our last Conference. Helena Glaser's inspiring key note address renewed our passion and commitment to our wonderful movement. Federal Treasurer Marlis Cohen's report enabled us to see the fundraising successes that we have achieved.
 
Presentations that day also included a guide to Twitter and Facebook by Emily Chrapot (pic left) - an intriguing view of social media and its growing importance as a means of communication, particularly with our younger members. The fundraising session led by Geoff Sandler (pic right), who explained how to approach donors and deal with their different personality types.
 
The Conference Dinner was a celebration of Jo Gostin's Presidency. Held on the Sunday evening at The Florian in Elsternwick, it was well-attended by communal leaders and members of the community, as well as by Conference attendees.
 
Video tributes from Tova Ben Dov, Chairperson of World Wizo and Yossi Saragossi, Headmaster of WIZO Ahuzat Yeladim in Haifa praised Jo's achievements. A speech by Jo's daughters, Dani Miller and Cassie Gostin, was especially touching. Each of the States presented a tribute to Jo which caused great laughter.
 
The ladies of WIZO New South Wales
The ladies of WIZO South Australia with Helen Glaser and Jo Gostin
The ladies of WIZO Western Australia pay tribute Jo Gostin
L-R: Jo Gostin, Rony Bognar Jo Gostin (left) with her family
Rony Bognar, Past President of WIZO Australia, presented Jo with a Plaque on the Road of Hope from funds collected in Jo's honour.
Monday saw the introduction of the new material for our Day-Care Centres fundraising campaign and some discussion regarding wills and bequests.

Finally, Jo Gostin (left) officially stepped down from office with some warm remarks and "thank-you's". Gilla Liberman (right) then formally accepted the Presidency of WIZO Australia, the office of which will move to Sydney for the next six years.
 
Thanks must go to Rosemary Sandler for her integral role in the Federal office for the past six years and her input into the Conference preparations. Thanks too, to WIZO Victoria for looking after all the interstate guests so hospitably and thanks to the WIZO Victorian staff for their contribution to the success of the Conference.
 
DID YOU KNOW THAT

WIZO pioneered,
together with
government agencies,
a pilot programme
called "From Risk
to Opportunity", for
special needs
children with autism,
Downes Syndrome,
and with physical and
developmental
diabilities?
 
Several hundred
special needs children
have also been
integrated into our
regular Day Care
centres.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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