Buckland-Fuller, Dorothy

Entry type: Person
Entry ID: AWE2127

(1922 – 2019)

Born 21 January, 1922, Port Said Egypt
Died 5 July, 2019, Sydney New South Wales Australia
Occupation Feminist, Human Rights Advocate, Migrant community advocate, Peace activist, Sociologist

Summary

Dorothy Buckland-Fuller was a sociologist and social activist of some longstanding, with a distinguished career in ethnic and multicultural politics, particularly as they impact upon women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She was a peace activist, an environmentalist, a feminist and committed to the cause of reconciliation with indigenous Australia.

Of Greek heritage, Buckland-Fuller had a long involvement with the Greek Community of New South Wales, and her valuable contributions were acknowledged in 2001 when she was granted Life Membership to the Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales. In 1974, she established the Australian-Migrant Women’s Association, an organisation designed to bring together immigrant and Australian-born women.

She was active in the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, serving as president in 2002-4. As a sociologist, she taught and conducted action research. Her life has been a case of putting that theory to practice. In her own words, she was an ‘action oriented person’.

Dorothy Buckland-Fuller passed away in Sydney on 5 July 2019. She will be remembered for her words resounding in the ears of all those who knew her over her great life: “I will continue to work for equal rights for all and the betterment of our society for as long as I live”.

Details

Dorothy Buckland-Fuller’s extensive CV, when read chronologically and with regard to her own memories, is a living history of the development of multicultural policies in Australia. She arrived in Australia in 1961, having lived in England for the previous fourteen years. (Her husband was an engineer working for the British Overseas Air Corporation [BOAC].) She became involved with the Greek Community in Sydney and worked for them in the late 1960s in a part time capacity as a secretary and Community Development Planner. While working, she studied at the University of New South Wales, completing her BA in 1969, and her MA Qual (the equivalent of Honours) in Sociology in 1972. She then commenced post graduate studies in the newly developing research area, ‘The sociology of migration’. While a postgraduate, she worked in the New South Wales Health Department, in schools and Baby Health Centres undertaking research. She also lectured and tutored in various departments at the University of New South Wales. Her research was presented as part of a report entitled Participation to the New South Wales Parliament in 1978, and was regarded as pioneering in its focus on migrant women’s issues and needs.

The list of Dorothy’s paid and voluntary positions is extensive, as is the list of awards and acknowledgements for her services to the community. The list below is indicative and by no means exhaustive.

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Events

1982 - 1982
1988 - 1988
1994 - 1994
1974 - 1974
2002 - 2004
1976 - 1976
1979 - 1979
1989 - 1989
1977 - 1981
Appointed to the role of part-time Commissioner responsible in the Area of Women
Ethnic Affairs Commission of New South Wales
1977 - 1978
Member
Multicultural Education Committee
1980 - 1981
The inquiry and subsequent report resulted in radical changes benefiting immigrant women in the workplace
Local Industrial board of Inquiry to Investigate Allegations of Graft and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Air Conditioning Depot of the State Rail Authority
1977 - 1977
For services to the community
Member of the British Empire (MBE)
1977 - 1977
For services to the community
Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee Medal
2001 - 2001
Inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women
2001 - 2001
Acknowledged for her valuable contribution to the Greek orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales
Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Sydney and New South Wales: Life Membership
2002 - 2002
Plaque awarded on International Women’s Day for contribution to the welfare of women
Community Women's Committee Award
2002 - 2002
2006 - 2006
Honoured for contribution to the community
Greek Community Women's Committee. International Women's Day Celebrations
2008 - 2008

Published resources

Book Section
- Double Disadvantage: Migrant and Aboriginal Women, Sawer, Marian, 1990
Resource
- Trove: Buckland-Fuller, Dorothy (1922-), http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-612259
Site Exhibition
- Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989, Australian Women's Archives Project, 2003, http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/honours.html
- The Encyclopedia of Women and Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia, Smart, Judith and Swain, Shurlee (eds.), 2014, http://www.womenaustralia.info/leaders

Archival resources

Greek Orthodox Community of NSW Cultural Centre
- Papers of the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales

Digital resources

Related entries

Membership
- Women's Electoral Lobby Australia (1972 - )
- Women's Network (1984 - )
Presided
- Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Australia (1919 - )
Foundation Member
- Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (1987 - 1997)
Founded
- Association of Non-English Speaking Background Women of Australia (1987 - 1997)
- Australian-Migrant Women's Association (1974 - 1990)
Related Women
- Mottee, Matina (1931 - )
- Mulder, Beryl (1941 - )
Commissioner
- Ethnic Affairs Commission - New South Wales (1976 - )
Related Concepts
- Greece Born Community of Australia
Related Events
- Immigrant and Refugee Women's Speakout
Featured in
- Being Seen And Heard: Migrant Women Organising In Australia, A Documentary History (2006 - )