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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 36 No. 5. 29 March 1973

Up from Under — Up, up and Away — New Direction for Uni Feminists

page 4

Up from Under

Up, up and Away — New Direction for Uni Feminists

Up From Under!

Up From Under!

Add two males to ten females with the trots, and what do you get? One cock-up of a meeting. Any observer at the AGM of the University Feminists could be forgiven for thinking that what was supposedly a meeting of a serious group was really nothing more than the remnants of a political abortion.

Their meeting last Monday started with only 15 present, which did not constitute a quorum. Committee members tried to expel two men who had come to the meeting, until it was pointed out that this was in defiance of the V.U.W.S.A. constitution, under which all students have the right to attend and vote at the AGM of any club. The faction controlling the meeting decided to stage another one of their characteristic walkouts which only amused the offending males.

Thinking that the meeting was over, the men wandered out of the room. No sooner had they left than the doors were quickly locked. The caretaker had to insist that the doors be left unlocked in case of fire, which almost eventuated when a notorious male appeared in borrowed female's clothes. Once again the committee tried to stop this man from entering. Had this farce continued any longer it would not have been hard to imagine sex tests being demanded at the door. Fortunately at this stage other people arrived, which at last made up a quorum. At this stage the original committee gathered its meagre belongings, and its even more meagre followers, and left to places unknown intending to re-stage "its" meeting another day.

The AGM was finally properly convened and started with the election of officers. Anna Smith was elected as President, Moira Stewart as treasurer, Cheryl Dimond as Education Officer, and Peter Tyler as the temporary secretary. Surprise election was Don Franks as the Mass Mobilisation Co-ordinator. He was rather unsure of immediate plans, but he did move that in 20 years time the possibilities of holding a mobe against abortion be discussed. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

Then it was moved Franks/Curtis, that it Street be declared a house of ill-repute. The meeting agreed that it was obvious that many a young innocent person had been led astray by the inhabitants of that house. There was also a call that perhaps the Salvation Army's attention should be drawn to the wayward activities of the residents.

A motion was put that men be allowed to attend all meetings. Don Franks spoke for the motion stating that previously the movement had become too much of a female clique, and that it had created an unhealthy sexist feeling. An amendment was added which suggested that regular segregated consciousness raising meetings be held and that all persons be urged to attend. The amended motion was passed unanimously.

There being no further business the meeting was declared closed. The University Feminists Organisation is once again alive and well and with the new committee will go on to make worthwhile achievements for liberation.

Cartoon of a male and female standing at a urinal