Hillary Clinton’s shock defeat by Donald Trump in the US presidential election hurt for many of us. It was also a shock reminder of the misogynistic behaviour our first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, was subjected to when she held Australia’s top job.

Women face everyday sexism every day. In Australia, research by Plan International revealed that just eight per cent of girls and young women feel they’re always treated equally to boys. Only 14 per cent say they always receive the same opportunities to succeed as boys. 

Following our [Plan International Australia] event on how to tackle everyday sexism, participants including government representatives, researchers, journalists and the online community outlined strategies we can all adopt, both men and women, to fight gender inequality: 

I write to make readers aware of the important work of We Help Ourselves, a NSW- and Queensland-based organisation working on the front line with ice, amphetamines, cannabis, heroin, alcohol and other drugs.

Since 1972, we have been able to help 40,000 people from many backgrounds and are one of the largest not-for-profits working in the drug and alcohol sector.

I write specifically to suggest to readers that if you know someone who is having a battle with ice, cannabis, alcohol or other types of drugs, what is most important is that they seek treatment and reach out.

The reality is that treatment is effective and it is available, and despite the belief that treatment options for amphetamines are unavailable or limited, this is simply not the case.  

At WHOs we have a strong view that for every person you help with treatment, you are potentially helping all their families and saving tens of thousands of dollars for taxpayers by keeping people out of prison. We know that when you treat people with drug and alcohol problems, this can and does lead to a reduction of re-offending rates and therefore a reduction in justice costs.

It may surprise readers to learn that the average cost per prisoner, per day now sits at $305 compared to $120 a day to fund a treatment program bed. Getting people into treatment programs is always going to be better than putting people behind bars.

We provide a safe place for some of the most marginalised and damaged members of our community and help them develop new pathways. However, to keep these programs we need real and sustained increases in the investments in our sector. We quite frankly are overwhelmed by the public need and we want to meet more of the demand.

I close by reminding readers, every journey starts with one step and it is never, ever too late to start on the road to recovery.

It is with great pleasure that the Lions Club of Marulan & District announce the nomination of our treasurer for the Commonwealth Bank’s Treasurers Award.

Lion Marjorie's nomination reflects the appreciation and high esteem in which she is held by the people within our not-for-profit organisation, as well as the wider community.

Lion Marjorie has been our treasurer for more than 14 years and has organised fundraising events raising well over $125,000 including juvenile diabetes research, earthquake appeals, bush fire appeals and many more.

This year, more than 1500 nominations were received, with the awards again being endorsed by all eight Australian state and territory government treasurers. These numbers show the growing acknowledgement of the important role community group treasurers play in the wellbeing of our nation. 

Upon receiving the certificate from Melvin Jones recipient William Bransom, Lion Marjorie was told her name would be featured in the honour roll of the 2016 Commonwealth Bank Not-For-Profit Treasurers Award Tribute book.

Not-for-profit groups are the backbone of our country. We build the communities in which we live and in which we provide vital support and services to those in need. Once again our members are delighted and proud of the attributes Marjorie has bought to not only our club, but to the community.

Congratulations once more to a wonderful, caring lady.