Aussie women bring their strength to China on video

• Source: Global Times
• [10:22 May 31 2010]
• Comments

"Our experience in the World Expo proves that our people and mutual interaction with visitors are critical to success," said Lyndall Sachs, the Commissioner-General for Australia before her departure for the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

In line with the belief that the building of a strong people-to-people bond will be the key to success, a series of strong, emotive and personal mini-documentaries featuring inspirational women from Australia and China are being screened in the Australian Pavilion in Shanghai World Expo.

The documentary Sisters, directed and produced by Australian film maker Annie Venables, has been made to celebrate the achievements of individual women from both Australia and China, showing how they achieve work, life, and a family balance in a world that demands so much of their time and talent.

Erika Cretney, a PhD who has been chosen to be one of the 21 extraordinary women in Sisters, shares her life story with her Chinese sisters.

"Working in science, no matter if you are woman or a man, you have to be very persistent and hard-working. But it is especially hard for women, particularly when you are part of a family - it is more difficult to spend many hours in the laboratory.

"It is very difficult when you need to run home and look after your children. So, to be a woman in science, you need good family support," she said.

Grateful for the support of her family, Erika said her husband was supportive and fantastic." He takes good care of the children and encourages me to continue in my career."

Erika is currently investigating a small group of T cells that play a role in controlling inflammation and auto-immune diseases. She calls them "the policemen of the whole immune system."

Another busy mother and inventor Professor Veena Sahajwalla has also proven that women can excel both in career and family.

"Australia has amazing innovations that come from people, I think that's what makes me proud of Australia. People are very creative, innovative, open to new ideas and wanting to try new things.

"I think it is the same approach that we see in China. There are a lot of clever people with clever ideas."

Veena developed a technology which recycles rubber tyres, and uses rubber tyres in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel making.

She is proud of the fact that not only scientists have recognized their work but that the technology has been implemented in the industry.

Both Erika Cretney and Veena Sahajwalla will be flown by the Australian Government to Shanghai for the Australian Pavilion Day on June 8.

Xinhua