Sydney Writers' Festival 2008 - Online Program
Margaret Reynolds in Conversation with Carmen Lawrence
Event 317		print Print This Page
Margaret Reynolds was a senator in the Australian Parliament for 16 years, and was Queensland's first female senator. Her extraordinary journey took her from apolitical university student to a young mother and teacher witnessing injustice in the schools of London's East End and in Tasmania's schools for mentally and physically handicapped children.

Margaret's activism has been a natural part of her life, as she moved from the UK to Queensland, witnessing at first hand the treatment of the indigenous population and then becoming involved in women's rights. From local councillor through to the federal Senate, and now President of the United Nations in Australia, Margaret's life has been one of growing awareness and commitment to causes she feels passionately about.

She talks with former MP Carmen Lawrence about a life lived in politics.

In Conversation  |  Life Writing, Current Affairs, Nonfiction
Participants
Margaret Reynolds, Carmen Lawrence (facilitator)

When
Sunday, May 25 2008
15:30 - 16:30

Where
Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon
Pier 2/3, Hickson Road
Walsh Bay
Venue and Transport Info...

Cost
$15/$10

Bookings
9250 1988
www.sydneytheatre.org.au

Schedule
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CARMEN LAWRENCE (INTERSTATE)
Carmen Lawrence is a Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Western Australia.

also appearing at...
216: Foreign Correspondents

MARGARET REYNOLDS (INTERSTATE)Reynolds, Margaret
Margaret Reynolds has a background in education, social policy and human rights.

She was born in Launceston and after training at the University of Tasmania, taught in special education over a 15-year period. She established Kindergarten Headstart for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in 1967.

Margaret has extensive experience in social policy development and advocacy, working at local, state and federal government levels. She was elected to the Townsville City Council 1979-1983 and the Australian Senate 1983-1999.

As Minister for Local Government and the Status of Women 1987-1990 she developed a range of initiatives to highlight access and equity issues. She represented the Australian Government on the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation 1991-1996. Margaret has worked with a number of international organisations to promote human rights and was National President of the United Nations Association of Australia 1999-2005. She has represented Australia at a number of UN Conferences and at the UN General Assembly in 1997.

Margaret taught human rights and international politics at the University of Queensland and is currently Adjunct Professor at the University of Tasmania. Since 2004 Margaret has worked in disability policy and advocacy and is State Manager of National Disability Services based in Hobart.

Her book, Living Politics, tracing her career in Australian and international politics was released in 2007.

also appearing at...
257: The Lost Art of Oratory
292: Women in Politics