Motivation is to help others

Cr Parisotto included on Victorian Women’s Honor Roll

Written by HARVEY DIKE. - Source: Wangaratta Chronicle

AS a child she would listen to her widowed mother bemoan the lack of assistance and support for Italian migrants.

But as an adult, and mother herself, Rozi Parisotto has spent the past decade making a difference to migrants, and the wider community, to the extent she was this month included in the Victorian Honor Roll of Women in 2009.

Only 20 women from across Victoria were added this year, with the Wangaratta resident’s entry acknowledging her commitment to women in local government and multiculturalism in the region.

She has been a Rural City of Wangaratta councillor since 2000, and is a founder and remains president of the North East Multicultural Association (NEMA).

The association, which has more than 500 members, acts as the ‘voice of multiculturalism’ in the North East, and in 2007, she received the Victorian Government’s Excellence in Multicultural Affairs - Meritorious Service Award.

In addition to lobbying for more female representation on council, Cr Parisotto was the first female president of the Wangaratta Soccer Club, and a regional representative of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria.

"I stood for council, believing in the saying ‘Don’t get angry, get elected’, and because my passion is for people, I work closely with volunteers, and am an outspoken advocate for equality, respecting the rights of people regardless of race, culture and religion," she said.

"NEMA is very proactive in accepting and celebrating this diversity, and has been successful in winning funding to support an ageing migrant community.

"I’m also very passionate about getting women into local government, and was delighted when, in the latest elections, four women were nominated and three were successful.

"I have been involved in a program delivered by GOTAFE facilitating and encouraging a wider participation in local government."

Cr Parisotto is philosophical about her own so far unsuccessful attempts to become Wangaratta’s mayor, and doesn’t believe she’s hitting the glass ceiling that many women encounter in business and government.

"There’s a new way of doing things in council, and that means getting support and running a ticket," she said.

"It’s a challenge, but challenges provide opportunities, and I’ve always enjoyed a challenge."