In 1988 an organising committee came together to celebrate the centenary of one of the foremost but relatively unknown 20th century Australian activists, Jessie Street. Events included: a conference (from which a book was published), tribute speeches in Parliament, and an Australia Post commemorative envelope – the first ever for an Australian woman. In April 1989, on the 100th anniversary of her birth, a lunch was held at Diethenes Restaurant, Sydney, to commemorate Jessie Street’s life.
Such was the response from women everywhere, and from the Street family, that the committee established the Jessie Street Trust to hold an annual birthday lunch, through which funds are raised to provide seeding grants. Jessie often used her own money to support causes she cared about. The Trust continues the tradition by awarding an annual grant to assist activities Jessie championed, including the rights of women and indigenous people, peace and disarmament, and the elimination of discrimination.
Over the years, the work of the Trust has led to the Sydney City Council and other local government authorities dedicating parks and gardens to Jessie Street. The Commonwealth named its new offices in Parramatta after her. This Trust aims to continue projects that continue the work Jessie pursued during her lifetime.
The Chair
Justice Dr Sarah Pritchard SC
Sarah Pritchard was appointed to the Land and Environment Court 31 October 2022. Dr Pritchard was Environmental Counsel to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the EPA Board. She was admitted to the Bar in 1999 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2012. Prior to coming to the Bar, Dr Pritchard was an Australian Research Council post-doctoral fellow and senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at UNSW.
Executive Committee
Genevieve Abbey
Genevieve believes Jessie’s example is still relevant to students 100 years on. Jessie was a powerful role model; a high achiever who didn’t let political obstacles stand in her way. Genevieve is proud to contribute to the Jessie Street Trust, which provides a platform to spark new ideas and to show what can be achieved through our passion and commitment to social justice issues.
Patricia Amphlett OAM
Pattie took a strong hold on the Australian music scene during the mid 1960s. With a succession of hits, Pattie established herself as a prominent force in the industry. She continues to maintain a high profile through her writing, producing, performing, and public speaking. Pattie’s involvements include: the Federal President of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; and Board Member of both the Whitlam Institute and the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. She is continually inspired by Jessie’s tenacity and dedication to peace, equality and opportunity for all.
Margy Burn AM
Margy arranged a small exhibition at the State Library of New South Wales in 1989 in celebration of the centenary of Jessie Street’s birth. Margy later held the position of Assistant Director-General, Australian Collections and Reader Services at the National Library of Australia. At the National Library, Margy was the custodian of Jessie Street’s personal papers, a large collection of 31 boxes (MS 2683) which documents Jessie’s life and work. Many of the photographs which illustrate the website are taken from Jessie Street’s papers in the National Library. Margy is a Trustee.
Jacquelyn Fingleton
As Jessie Street’s granddaughter, Jacquelyn has Jessie’s spirit running though her blood. She works as a teacher’s aide with special needs children. With her understanding of the personal strength of ‘Red Jessie’, Jacqui is an enthusiastic member of the Trust. She continues her mother’s contribution to the Trust to ensure that the work of outstanding Australian women are not lost. Jacquelyn is a Trustee.
Juliet Cobb
While working for the NSW Women’s Coordination Unit, Juliet was involved in organising the Jessie Street centennial celebrations in 1989. Inspired by Jessie’s feminist ideals and by the eclectic bunch of fans and family who united to commemorate her life and vision, Juliet became a foundation member of the Jessie Street Trust when it formed the following year. Juliet has a background in editing and writing and currently manages educational projects for documentary production company Iris Pictures. Juliet is a Trustee.
Justice Anna Katzmann
Justice Katzmann was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia in October 2009. At the time of her appointment she was a practising Senior Counsel at the Sydney Bar and the President of the NSW Bar Association. In 2002, she was named by the Women Lawyers Association as a ‘woman lawyer of achievement’.
Tanya Plibersek, MP
Tanya Plibersek is the Federal Member for Sydney, Minister for the Environment and Water. She is proud to be part of the JST because Jessie Street achieved so much for Indigenous Australia and for women. Jessie Street lived by and promoted values that are just as important today: equality, peace and reconciliation. Tanya says, ‘Jessie Street will always be a heroine of mine.’
Jeannette McHugh
Jeannette McHugh was elected to Federal Parliament in 1983, serving until 1996. She was initially elected as the member for Phillip, the seat Jessie stood for in 1949, and then as the member for Grayndler. She was the Minister for Consumer Affairs in the Keating Government.
Edna Ross, PhD
Jessie Street fought for the social values dear to Edna’s heart – justice, equality, women’s rights, indigenous rights and peace. Edna cherishes the opportunity to contribute towards continuing Jessie Street’s work through the Trust. Edna is a psychologist, who worked as a researcher, policy analyst and campaigner with NGOs promoting peace, human rights and social justice.
Sarah Street
Sarah is the granddaughter of Jessie Street. Sarah Street is a Sydney University-educated lawyer working as a career advisor and executive recruiter in Legal, Health & Higher Education, as she has done for the last 20 years.
Victoria Young
Victoria is a Managing Director in a public-purpose consulting firm, leading the New South Wales cyber security and data privacy practice. She works with Commonwealth, state and territory, and not-for-profit organisations to help them provide digital citizen services securely. Victoria is the JST treasurer and a trustee.
If you are interested in being involved in the Jessie Street Trust’s activities, let us know by sending a message on the Contact Us page.
Jessie Street Trust | jessiestreet.trust@gmail.com
Registered with the ACNC | ABN 72 494 816 793
Jessie Street Trust 