from ethnic communities, as well as demanding paid parental leave, removal of abortion restrictions, more sex education and birth control access, a 35 hour work week, and community-based childcare. They successfully lobbied unions and government for funding to continue this work for six years, before the organisation merged into the Australian Council of Trade Unions in 1986. Owen regularly represented the Women's Electoral Lobby at Melbourne Press Club lunches in the 1970s, her confronting questions earning her a reputation for her tenacity and enthusiasm. Owen campaigned for many issues during her lifetime, including abortion law reform, services for older women and women with disabilities. She was a founding member of Emily's List in Australia. Education After the Whitlam government made tertiary education free, in 1974 in her mid 50s she enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts degree at Melbourne University, majoring in psychology and politics. She completed full time work and advocacy commitments alongside study, graduating with her degree in 1986. Owen was a member of La Trobe University Council from 1983-1990, and was appointed Deputy Chancellor of La Trobe University in 1989. Mary Owen Dinners Owen insisted on remaining as coordinator of WWC until 1986 when she turned 65, despite some pressure to retire. The day before that birthday a dinner was held at Hawthorn Town Hall to celebrate her achievements, with 540 women crammed inside and a further 200 having to be turned away. This was the beginning of the Mary Owen dinners when an event was organised the next year for those women who had missed out. These dinners were held in Mary's name and attracted hundreds of women including premiers, top public servants, and organisational leaders. There was always a female keynote speaker and the women would dress in the feminist colours of green, white, and purple to celebrate the changing status of women. The last dinner was held in 2005. Owen was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1984. She was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001. Owen continued her work for women's rights long after retirement with activities for the Older Women's Network, Women With Disabilities, Rationalists, Retired Unionists, Meals on Wheels, and the National Women's Archive project. She died on March 23, 2017 at age 96. Publications Books Owen, Mary and Shaw, Sylvie (eds), Working Women: Discussion papers