Balancing the Act: ADCQ newsletter - issue 29 (Summer 2010)

Retirement of Heloise Misso

In July this year Commission staff, former staff and guests farewelled Heloise Misso.

Heloise retired after twenty-two years service with the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, its predecessor, and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. During this time Heloise was the first contact point for many community organisations, government departments and agencies.

She served as executive assistant to each anti-discrimination commissioner since the inception of the Act, many of whom attended the farewell morning tea.

A tribute was received from Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Heloise worked with Ms Bryce, who held the position of Sex Discrimination Commissioner with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission from 1988 until 1993.

John Briton, former Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and currently Legal Services Commissioner attended as did former Commissioner Susan Booth, now Senior Member at QCAT.

Messages were also received from Helen Twohill, acting Anti-Discrimination Commissioner when the Act was proclaimed in 1991, and Karen Walters the first Commissioner appointed following the transfer of jurisdiction to the state.

The function was a happy affair with much reminiscing and Heloise looking forward to retirement and spending more time with her family.

The Commission wishes to acknowledge the work, dedication and humanity of Heloise.

Though she has retired from the workforce, she will continue to be a great advocate for human rights.

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