The Jessie Street Trust promotes and celebrates the groundbreaking life of Jessie Street.
Each year, around 300 people from all sectors of the Australian community, gather at the NSW Parliament House for the Annual Jessie Street Trust lunch, which serves as a fundraiser to support campaigns and projects around Australia inline with Jessie's values. Including the rights of women and indigenous people, peace and disarmament, and the elimination of discrimination.
In January 2021, the Australian Government released the proposal for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and Government. Public submissions are open until 30 April 2021.
The 2023 referendum for a Voice to Parliament is a vital step in recognising Indigenous Australians. Our 2023 Annual Lunch spoke to three prominent Australians about the role of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and how a Yes vote is critical.
If you missed the lunch, read about it here.
News
The Jessie Street Trust hosted a webinar with Tanya Hosch and Dean Parkin, moderated by Danny Gilbert AM, to explore how Australia can develop constructive policy for First Nations Australians.
Many of you joined us for our first webinar on 17 Sept 2020, in which Linda Burney, Larissa Berhendt and Nakkiah Lui explored how we can contribute to making a constitutionally enshrined Voice a reality.
You can watch the Jessie Street Trust webinar anytime.
Woollahra Council recently honoured the life and achievements of Jessie Street by installing a plaque on the footpath outside the home in Darling Point, where the Streets lived for many years.
Several JST trustees and many of Jessie’s family attended the unveiling ceremony.
The National Library of Australia has digitised an oral History interview with Jessie Street. Jessie was interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection and speaks about her early childhood in India; the quality of life for women in Australia at the beginning of the century; her family history; her university years; England during the war years; working with prostitutes in New York; thoughts on trade unions and female membership; about how she prepares for her speeches. Further, the NLA has further digitised from Jessie’s large collection of papers including letters and newspaper clippings.