John Battams reflects on the division within the union regarding women's issues and women's involvement in the QTU, and the consequences of this, which included gender-tagging of positions on the Executive and in official positions. He describes the changes in the QTU when Mary Kelly became President in 1986.
Barbara Cross points out that she wanted to see positive changes for women in the ALP but the branches were given little encouragement and women were still looked upon as tea ladies. Manfred Cross states that in those days, it was a man's world.
Barbara Cross discusses her nomination seeking support to stand as an ALP Convention delegate and the poor reception she received from Trades Hall, including Jack Egerton.
Greg Moran discusses proportional representation and his changing attitude to affirmative action within the ALP, especially with high calibre candidates like Di Farmer and Kate Jones.
Ian Brusasco discusses the perception that he didn't fit with the Trades Hall Group's profile. He states that his views on opportunities for women were exemplified by his wife, Patsy Brusasco, who combined a very successful professional life as a pharmacist with her public voluntary work and family responsibilities.
Norma Jones discusses being the ALP candidate in Lockyer in the state election in 1977 and attending a public meeting of candidates at Flagstone Creek Hall and the antagonism towards the ALP and herself as a woman candidate.
Norma Jones discusses the ALP in Toowoomba with some members becoming involved in Brisbane activities such as the Labor Women's Organisation. She discusses the feeling that the party needed to move along with social attitudes and the leaders needed to be open to new ideas.
