The AEU Federal Women's Conference was held in Melbourne on 30th September and 1st October 2000. The theme of the Conference was "Weaving the Web: Women, Community and Unions."

Women from a number of organisations spoke about examples of political action which have involved links across women, community and unions.

Panel: Models of Women's Activism

• Sheila Byard - from World March for Women
• Liz Macloon - from Purple Sage
• Fiona McDonald - Brotherhood of St Lawrence

• Keynote Address: Michelle Hogan, Assistant Secretary, United Trades and Labor Council of South Australia. Overseas Models of Community Unionism.

Four Working Groups considered implications for us as a union (and as a predominantly women's union) and determined action and recommendations.

1. Controlling our Work, Controlling our Profession

This working group focussed on strategic planning for us as a union and as women. It looked at taking further the implications of "Building the Foundations of the Future" project for our working as a union and as a profession.

2. Reclaiming Community: The Work of TAFE teachers and the union

This working group focussed on TAFE and the priorities for action in this area. "Running on Empty", the TAFE report from the ACTU Working Time and Job Security Survey, was used as a resource document.

3. International Global Connections

This working group looked at globalisation and where public education fits. It considered how we bring global concerns and issues back to our work as unionists and educators. It considered the access points for intervention in the global deliberations and looked at particular case studies of East Timor.

4. Community Links

This working group heard from Annie Delaney of TCFUA and the "Fairwear Campaign" as an effective union/community campaign. The working group considered what they could learn from this campaign approach for working as a union and as educators.

There was very positive feed back from participants with a number commenting on the streamlined and business-like way the Conference was run. There were a lot of new delegates this year and they reported being very impressed. Many also remarked on the warmth and friendliness throughout.