Sara Dowse in the 1970's. Photo supplied
In a speech to Parliament this past week, the final sitting week for 2025, Warringah MP Zali Steggall has paid tribute to Manly local Sara Dowse, 87, a remarkable woman who played a pivotal role in advancing gender equality in Australia.
Dowse is a prolific author, feminist and visual artist. But it was her public service career that was truly ground-breaking.
In 1972 under the new Whitlam government, Dowse was seconded to the office of then-Minister for Labour and Immigration, Clyde Cameron. There, she championed equal pay for equal work, formal childcare and the right to part-time employment.
At the time, childcare options were extremely limited, which prevented mothers from seeking paid work. Women had long been legally paid less than men for performing the same job, and part-time employment was not widely offered.
Dowse’s advocacy on these issues helped drive major policy progress.
Following this appointment, Dowse became head of the first women’s unit in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet – a role which earned her the nickname “Supergirl” in the media. Under her leadership, the unit evolved into what’s now known as the Office for Women.
Dowse also worked under Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and later shaped the ALP women’s policy for the 1983 federal election. She championed reforms such as legal aid, Family Court jurisdiction and ratification of a UN convention which would later be legislated in Australia as the Sex Discrimination Act.
Portrait of Sara Dowse, former head of the Women's Affairs Section, Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, 1974-1977 and member of the Australian official delegation to the Mexico City International Women's Year conference, from 'Collection of photographs of the International Women's Year 30th Anniversary Dinner at Old Parliament House, Canberra, 6th August 2005. Photo by Bob Givens/ Commissioned by the National Library of Australia, 2005.
Dowse has been a formidable part of Steggall’s volunteer community since 2019. “She is a prolific storyteller whose passion, courage and commitment embody the heart of the community independent movement,” Steggall said.
“Her story reminds us that strength in leadership drives change and the work for true equality is far from over.”
Ms Steggall's Speech:
The 16 days of activism on domestic and family violence is a timely reminder that gender equality is still unfinished work. Progress is possible only because we stand on the shoulders of the women who paved the way.
Earlier this month my team and I had the pleasure of celebrating one of those very remarkable women, Sara Dowse, an extraordinary volunteer who turned 87. Sara is a prolific author, feminist and visual artist. Her novel West Block was one of the first works of fiction set in Canberra, and her book Sapphires won the 1995 ACT book of the year. But it was her career in public service that was truly ground breaking. In 1972, under the new Whitlam government, she was seconded to the office of then Minister for Labour, Clyde Cameron, where she championed equal pay, child care and part-time employment.
Following this, Sara became the inaugural head of the first women's unit in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, a role which earned her the nickname Supergirl from the media. Under her leadership, the unit evolved into what we now know as the Office for Women. She then served under Prime Ministers Whitlam and Fraser, and she later shaped the ALP's women's policy for the 1983 federal election and led platforms such as expanded legal aid, family court jurisdiction and the ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Today, Sara has a formidable part to play in the ever-growing story of Warringah. Her's is a prolific story with passion, and I thank her for her incredible passion.
Sara Dowse - 2014 Emily’s List Oration
More here: saradowse.com.au/author/sara-author and here: insidestory.org.au/authors/sara-dowse
