President's Preamble

by Fiona Austin

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Welcome again to another year of Polare and improving services at the Gender Centre!

With regards to the improvement of services, at a recently convened special meeting, both staff and management unanimously voted to approve a significant budget for an upgrade of the Gender Centre's Computer System.

This will take us from a number of print sharing low end Pentiums and an isolated Old Mac to a full network with N.T. File Server and upgraded workstations, and for the first time, full Internet and Email access for all staff.

This positions the Gender Centre by not only greatly increasing our information collecting abilities and connectivity to transgenders and transgender related organisations both in N.S.W. and around the Globe, but also by being able to readily extend our computer based services. this by way of a Gender Centre Website (we have already officially obtained our domain name and expansion of the in house network to provide a Community Workstation linked to the network with full Internet and Email access, i.e. by the end of the year, community members will have full use of a terminal for word processing, Internet and Email etc. simply by dropping into the Centre. Each of the residential houses will also get computers and printers for the use of the residents.

All this will roll out over the next month to six months and should see the Gender Centre at the leading edge of the information revolution especially in terms of social service providers.

All this may not mean much to you who don't have Internet access or much knowledge or interest in computers, but I'll give practical example of the benefits.

Looking for articles on Gender Theory and overseas activists? Web search the many transgender related sites. Looking for information about surgical options for S.R.S.? Previously the Gender Centre had very little information on surgery options available overseas; but via the Internet (with most Surgeons around the world having their own Websites) we now have, or can get almost instantly, up to date information on over 20 different options, in more than 6 different countries, with detailed information and contact details, even photos!

Now instead of having to accept what is a limited choice here, you can now make a far more informed decision with the help of the Gender Centre or via the Internet with your own computer.

I also feel it worth mentioning whilst on the Internet subject that if you do have access to E-mail, that you consider one of the many email lists for specialised topics, these can be a great place for support, questions and information. These lists exchange emails on a group basis about issues that relate to them as transgenders; with I might add some valuable advice and many voices being heard along the way.

I mention this in order to give you some idea of the activity at the Centre, but to also relay something of the value of the Internet and related services. When the initial computer upgrade is complete we will move on to the next phase i.e. establishment of our own website and community workstation etc.

The 21st Century is only 2 or 3 years away and it can and will be a better place for tranys; especially if we can collectively and individually (according to your own inclinations of course!) take part in and include the burgeoning electronically driven new civil society where diversity and human rights will be to the fore. And you may rest assured that the Gender Centre will take its place advocating for trany rights and inclusion in all aspects of the society of the 21st century.

I would like to digress completely for a moment, to first of all let you all know that unfortunately for the Centre, Craig Skinner - the Administration Manager has officially resigned and will be leaving us on the 19.2.98 hopefully for a rewarding change of direction with many fulfilling years ahead. Secondly, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Craig for a wonderful effort, not just over the 8 months as Administration Manager, but also for his work in his previous role and his years of dedication, commitment and service both to the Gender Centre, Management Committee and the broader community.

Thank you Craig, and best wishes for the future!!!

Finally, I would like to welcome Elizabeth Riley previously our Education and Resources Officer, to the slightly adjusted position of Gender Centre Coordinator. This is a welcome move which both fills the gap left by Craig but also gives well deserved recognition of Elizabeth's fine service and endless work and will make more appropriate use of her abilities, whilst providing a smooth transition to a revised staff structure, including a new position for an Administration Manager (to be advertised). This allows the best path to gradually fine tune the Gender Centre's organisation while maintaining the Gender Centre's services with a minimum of disruption.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.