I am proud to announce that the 2021 Summer Hill Woman of the Year is Cheree Toka, a Kamilaroi woman of the inner west.

Older women are the fastest growing group of homeless people in Australia. A recent study estimated that 240,000 women aged 55 or older are at risk of homelessness nationally, as are another 165,000 women aged 45-55.

Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence commences on 25 November on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs until Human Rights Day on 10 December. 

For 42 years Reclaim the Night Sydney has fought against gendered violence and sexual assault.

The inner west is nurturing the next generation of Women's Big Bash stars with the establishment of the Inner West Girls Cricket Academy.

While we need to strengthen the systems of reporting of sexual abuse and domestic violence, it is also critical that we respect the wishes of survivors. This bill clearly acknowledges that currently survivors may choose not to report crimes if they believe the person they are disclosing to risks being prosecuted themselves or may act against their wishes and report the crime to police without their consent.

Congratulations to Ms Caroline Baum, who was recently appointed as the NSW Ambassador for the Older Women's Network. 

Awarding an Order of Australia to so-called "men's rights" activist Bettina Arndt in recognition of her "significant service to the community as a social commentator, and to gender equity through advocacy for men" should be seen for what it is: a slap in the face for the countless victims of sexual assault and family violence in our community.

Since 2015 there has been a 25 per cent increase in the number of women playing cricket in Australia, and the inner west has been spearheading the growth of girls' and women's cricket across Sydney.

Ms Georgia Odette Sallybanks, known as Odette, is the 2020 Summer Hill Woman of the Year.