Three hundred and seventy women participated in Labor women’s conference held in Adelaide National Wine Centre on 16-17th June 2017 which was hosted by South Australian Labor wing. Women from around the country attended the conference which included women Minsters, MPs, branch members and union representatives. From NSW nearly 40 women had participated. The conference started with the speech from Ex-Prime Minster Julia Gillard. Panel discussion and breakout sessions were held where different issues were discussed especially the issues women are facing at work places. This was the first time that women members of Subcontinent Friends of Labor (SCFOL) attended the conference.

Sitting and listening throughout the day becomes a bit boring, that’s where the need for laughter and fun comes! Maxine Simmons from SCFOL hit the session with her BollytraX exercise for the audiences. SCFOL women wing president KushpinderKaur delivered the presentation on “Women as decision maker”. Her speech started with the history of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh and granddaughter of Maharaja Daleep Singh and her contribution in bringing revolution in suffragette struggle for getting women voting rights .DevanshiPanchal, SarbjeetKaur  andNandaniPanchal consolidated on the activities of SCFOL. During the half hour discussion time the conference attendees wanted to know more about SCFOL activities and various issues facing community were discussed.

“Let us be the bus driver”, Maxine Simmons told women attendees at the NSW Labor Women’s forum .“We all have the power in us to change the tide.” Urging women to take action in their lives and in their communities, whether or not they are part of a formal Organisation. “It is possible for us to turn our upside down world upright. “Don’t be afraid of hard work,” she said. “And if you have great business skills use them to give back to your community.” In addition she said every-drop makes an ocean. “The ‘Power of Possibilities’ is endless when thousands of women come together with this much enthusiasm, energy and creativity and I am proud to be part of this important day.”

The next conference will be held in 2020 in in Perth.