News briefs

Feminists organise toys for Cuba

MELBOURNE — Radical Women, a socialist feminist organisation, has appealed to Australian supporters of Cuba to contribute to the 1996 Cuban Children's Day Toy Appeal. The appeal, an initiative of the Federation of Cuban Women, aims to provide every Cuban child with a toy on Children's Day, the third Sunday in July. Radical Women branches around the world are collecting cash contributions for the drive. The New York chapter of Radical Women will purchase the toys, which will be transported to Cuba free of charge by Cuban Airlines.

To make your contribution send cheques, payable to Radical Women, to PO Box 266, West Brunswick Vic 3055. The deadline is May 31. For further information call (03) 9386 3230.

Forum on status of women

BRISBANE — A May 9 forum sponsored by Children by Choice and attended by more than 250 women expressed concern that decisions had been made behind the scenes to cut key women's programs. Dr Cherrell Hirst, chancellor of Queensland University of Technology, said, "There was a strong sense of unity. Women were extremely concerned that the gains women had made over the past decade were already slipping away."

GLW dinner in Brisbane

BRISBANE — May Day was celebrated here on May 11 with a Green Left Weekly fundraising dinner at the Resistance Centre. Speakers were Manoli Orellana, from the Guatemala Human Rights Committee; Claire Moore, state secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union; Sean Whelan, from Australian Aid for Ireland; and Sam Wainwright, representing the Democratic Socialist Party.

Music for the evening was provided by Ant McKenna; Phil Monsour, Sue Ferris and Kate Turner; and Gary Shields, accompanied by Sue Ferris.

From GLW issue 231