Roll of honour

By Kelly Yates
DR ANNE Astin has been inducted into the 2010 Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
The Endeavour Hills resident said she was privileged, humbled and honoured to be included in the honour roll.
Dr Astin has been a pioneer for women in biochemistry and an advocate for rural women for many years, with her varied career including work as a forensic scientist, in public health, agriculture and mining.
She is currently the CEO of Dairy Food Safety Victoria.
The 58-year-old said she had worked hard, starting at the bottom and working her way through to being a CEO.
“I’ve had a very varied career. It’s been satisfying, challenging, interesting and exciting,” she said.
Dr Astin, who has been living in Endeavour Hills since 1977, was inducted to the 2010 Victorian Honour Roll of Women during a ceremony at the National Gallery of Victoria this month by Minister for Women’s Affairs Maxine Morand.
Ms Morand said the Honour Roll, in its 10th year, had some particularly exceptional additions.
“This year we celebrate a remarkable group of women who have used their tenacity, vision, outstanding leadership, commitment and just plain hard work to succeed in their chosen field and have a lasting impact on their community,” Ms Morand said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said Dr Astin was one of first scientists trained to analyse gunshot residues in crimes and the first woman to take maternity leave in a forensic science environment.
Dr Astin has also been the chair of the Ministerial Women in Primary Industry Panel for the past 10 years and has raised the profile and issues of rural women across Victoria.