Listen to Ita Buttrose AO OBE speech here.
Watch Event Highlights
Saluting Sydney Women 2017
Sydney Community Foundation’s Sydney Women’s Fund, honoured Ita Buttrose AO OBE, at the 2017 Saluting Sydney Women lunch.
Each year this special event celebrates a Sydney woman who has contributed to social justice and the advancement of women in this city and beyond. A highly anticipated occasion, Saluting Sydney Women attracts women in leadership from all walks of life. A continuing tradition of women coming together to recognise the achievements of other great Sydney women.
This year, Sydney Community Foundation and Sydney Women’s Fund paid tribute to an extraordinary Sydney woman, and national media trailblazer, Ita Buttrose AO OBE, Australian journalist, businesswoman, television personality and author.
Pictured: Emma Alberici, Jane Jose, Ita Buttrose AO OBE, Lucinda Brogden (Photo by Yann Le Berre) Ita Buttrose’s contribution reflects the goals of the Sydney Community Foundation and its Sydney Women’s Fund, who support women and girls in their lives fulfil their hopes, overcome challenges and to be the best they can be.
About Saluting Sydney Women 2017
Held in the picturesque Harbourside Room at the MCA, the 2017 Saluting Sydney Women was a memorable occasion.
(Photo by Yann Le Berre )
Saluting Sydney Women 2017 was opened by ABC Journalist Emma Alberici, a vibrant MC, generously giving her time to participate.
As a community, we welcomed Sydney Community Foundation patron, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor of NSW.
Pictured: His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor of NSW, Ita Buttrose AO OBE (Photo by Yann Le Berre )
Pictured: Ita Buttrose AO OBE, Marta Dusseldorp founding member of the Sydney Women’s Fund Circle of Leaders (Photo by Yann Le Berre )
Welcome to Country
Indigenous Elder, Auntie Anne Weldon, welcomed guests onto the Gadigal land of the Eora Nation. In her words, Auntie Weldon noted the work of Rosalind Strong, former Chair of the Sydney Community Foundation, and her dedication to the Maybanke Fund, the Sydney Community Foundation Sub-Fund that she established and through which she provides the annual Maybanke Education Scholarships supporting Indigenous early learning students through university.
Pictured: Anne Weldon (Photo by Yann Le Berre )
Welcome and Music
Sydney Community Foundation Chair, Michael Lynch AO CBE warmly welcomed all our guests.
Jimmy Barnes contributed a telegram for Ita and the talented Sarah Belkner delivered a beautiful rendition of the Cold Chisel song ‘Ita’, written by Don Walker in 1980.
A Tribute to Ita Buttrose from life-long friend, Ainslie Cahill
Arthritis Australia CEO, Ainslie Cahill, delighted the audience with her memories and achievements as colleague and life long friend of the indefatigable Ita Buttrose.
Pictured: Ita Buttrose AO OBE, Jane Jose, Ainslie Cahill (Photo by Yann Le Berre )
Lucy Brogden, co-founder and patron of the Sydney Women’s Fund, and recently named Chair of the Australian Government National Mental Health Commission, led the audience in our official salute to Ita Buttrose AO OBE.
A word from honoured guest, Ita Buttrose AO OBE
Ita Buttrose inspired everyone present with stories of her own lessons in kindness from her childhood, a rewarding career as a journalist and publisher, and her work as a passionate advocate for those in need.
Listen to Ita Buttrose AO OBE speech here .
Iraqi women helped by SWF share their story of hope
Sydney Community Foundation CEO, Jane Jose, shared her own memories of Ita’s influence in her life and welcomed Evaa and Attyaf, two Iraqi women from the Women’s Friendship Sewing Circle funded by SCF and run by Parents Cafe Fairfield Inc, to share their story of how they have found hope and optimism being part of that program.
Pictured: Evaa, Attyaf, Jane Jose (Photo by Yann Le Berre (link is external))
The event concluded with lucky guests winning prizes kindly donated by:
- Ginger & Smart
- Potts Point Bookshop
- Corban & Blair
- Bockers and Pony
We thank all of our generous sponsors for their support and being valuable members of our community:
Click here to view event photos on the Sydney Women’s Fund Facebook Page.
