Statement of Purpose
About PWHC
EST. 1987
Penrith Women’s Health Centre Inc provides a feminist health service run by women for women and gender non confirming people, ensuring accessibility without financial and cultural barriers, for women in the Penrith region.
Objects of the Association
• To identify the health needs of women who live in the Penrith Region • To provide a broad range of services, strategies and workplace environment within a feminist, social justice framework that addresses identified need. • To provide services that focus on prevention and holistic care - provided by women for women. • To ensure women’s self-determination regarding their health care. • To provide medical and complimentary health treatments for women which alleviate sickness and emotional distress caused by illness, injury, domestic and other forms of violence, social isolation, relationship problems and financial hardship. • To provide counselling services for women to alleviate the suffering and distress caused by domestic and other forms of violence, illness and injury, social isolation, relationship problems and financial hardship. • To provide assistance to women attending court for matters relating to domestic violence and sexual assault. • To provide services to women regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, sexuality, physical ability or age with priority focus on the needs of the more disadvantaged and marginalised women/groups in the community. • To work towards an integrated, coordinated approach with other non government / government organisations in the provision of appropriate strategies and services for women’s well being. • To be a key contributor to the social dialogue on the status of women’s health and wellbeing. • To be an advocate for women. • To advocate on behalf of women in the relevant systems in which they participate; • To empower and support Women to advocate for themselves in these systems. • To ensure effective community based governance and operational management of the association. • To uphold a healthy work environment to ensure the wellbeing of workers to offer an effective delivery of service.
Principles of the Association
• Respects dignity, rights and potential of all women. • Holds that every woman has a right to experience optimum wellbeing and to control her own life and healthcare decisions. • Service delivery is based on the understanding that health is determined within a broad social context: environmental, economic and biological factors – that women’s health needs can not me isolated from life circumstances. • Holds that social inequality and discrimination have adverse affects on the wellbeing of women in our society and it is therefore committed to working towards the elimination of all forms of social disadvantage. • Is committed to a preventative, holistic approach to the health needs of women which encompasses the whole of women’s life span and reflects women’s various roles in Australian society, not just their reproductive role. • Promotes the participation of all women in debate and decision making about health issues, their own health care and health service delivery. • Holds that health promotion, disease prevention, equity of access to appropriate and affordable services and strengthening the primary health care system are necessary, along with high quality illness treatment services.
Our Management Committee
Lynda McGill Rothery
Bio coming soon...
President
Lisa is an author, a journalist and a local woman passionate about Women’s rights. Lisa has coordinated the Women Out West Program through the Joan Sutherland Centre for the last several years and is very excited to join us. Lisa has lots of experience with fundraising.
Ordinary Member
Lisa Finn Powell
I have worked in the community sector as a paid employee for 21 years and as a volunteer for approximately 28 years. My experience has mainly been in Community Development and for 15 years working with at-risk youth. I am currently employed as General Manager with Community Junction Inc (which is based in North St Marys with offices in St Clair, Colyton, Werrington, and two youth Centres and a preschool and OOSH). I am passionate about enabling our staff and clients to meet their full potential. My qualifications include Cert IV WHS; Diploma Community Management.
Treasurer
Barbara Shorthouse
After working in the public sector for approximately 15 years for both the state and commonwealth governments I moved to the community sector where I have been working for the past 30 years. During this time I have worked and managed services in the youth and adult homelessness sector and during the last 9 years I have also managed a domestic violence service. I am currently employed as the Client Services Manager with Link Wentworth Housing in Penrith managing the adult homelessness and domestic violence services. I am passionate about social justice, ensuring that everyone has the right to a home and my favourite rugby league team Manly Sea Eagles. I have a degree in Bachelor Social Science (Welfare & Sociology).
Secretary
Kerry Dolaghan
I am a strong passionate woman who believes and strives towards a society free of violence against women and children, where all identifying women and their children are safe in their homes and their communities and have the support and resources they need to live active and fulfilling lives. I have worked in the Domestic Violence Sector for over 25 years, prior to this I was a primary/infants schoolteacher. I am a mother of two strong independent women who share the same passions and causes as their mother. I currently manage the Nepean team of Specialist Domestic Violence Case Workers with DV West. I have worked closely with Penrith Women’s Health Centre for all of these 25 plus years. I joined the Penrith Women’s Health Centre Management Committee over 12 years ago and am honoured and proud to continue to support this great service.
Ordinary Member
Vanessa Donald-Smith
Ee-Lin is a health promotion officer, manager of FPNSW Health Promotion Dept for the last 4 years and is passionate about working with people with a disability. Ee-Lin was a disability worker for many years and brings her health promotion lens to our MC but is also skilled in various accreditation processes and governance.
Ordinary Member
Ee-Lin Chang
FY 2022-2023
We are pleased to present our annual report to the PWHC members, partners, and the public. This report pays tribute to our dedicated team's demanding yet rewarding work, highlighting their professionalism, empathy, and commitment in delivering feminist services to the Penrith region. It acknowledges our substantial progress, diverse range of services, and the tireless efforts of our exceptional staff and volunteers who have been instrumental in PWHC's remarkable growth and contributions.
- Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty Fleming
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FY 2021-2022
Following on from last year’s Annual Report, entitled “End of An Era”, it is with enormous pride that I present PWHC’s FY 2021/2022 Annual Report: “A year of Transition”. Over the course of FY2021/2022, PWHC has successfully embraced more change than many organisations undergo in a decade. In keeping with this, we have selected a theme for this report depicting the various changes of a caterpillar, through chrysalis, then emerging as a beautiful butterfly. I hope readers will enjoy this metaphor symbolic of successful transformation.
- Chief Executive Officer, Kath Skinner
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FY 2020-2021
"It is humbling to present this annual report to the members of PWHC, our many partners and the public. The report demonstrates the breadth of services that PWHC provides and demonstrates how fortunate the organisation is to have such a wonderful team of capable, qualified, professional, empathetic and committed employees and volunteers. This report is a tribute to their work."
- Chief Executive Officer, Kath Skinner