During Domestic and Family Violence Prevention (DFVP) month in Queensland we are delighted to acknowledge and celebrate some of the unsung “sheroes” of the sector, the real change makers who are making their mark and driving change in the DFV sector across Queensland.

We celebrate these change makers for their strength, tenacity and resilience.  For their empathy, kindness and caring. For their everyday commitments to support their clients and the services that they provide and for the work they are doing collectively and collaboratively to help end violence.

Read more about their stories here:

Lela Idagi – Aurukun Women Shelter Support – Cape York / Gulf RAATSICC

Aunty Elsja Dewis – Cultural Healer, Murrigunyah 

Holly Brennan – CEO, Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA), Moreton Bay Region

Ella Morter – Manager, Cairns Sexual Assault Service

Mikhaila Markwell – Save the Children, South West Queensland 

Aunty Elsja Dewis, a Cultural Healer from Murrigunyah said “Healing our babies is so important and it starts there. It’s not part of our culture to have domestic violence. It’s not part of any culture.”

Working in the DFV sector, Holly Brennan, CEO of the Centre Against Domestic Violence (CADA) in Moreton Bay Region shares that “You need to have an incredible sense of humour. We love being able to do practical things to help women. To see that we are making a tangible difference – it really helps to know you are doing something positive and practical for them. It’s important that we acknowledge this and celebrate each other and the work that we do.”

“Driving change in ending domestic violence means creating a safe happy healthy environment for the whole family dynamic.” Lela Idagi from Aurukun Women’s Shelter said, sharing her vision. “It means no lives lost to DFV, women and children are safe at home, women are empowered and respected and children are given the best opportunity to thrive, learn and succeed.”

As we have been developing the Workforce Plans, and through virtual knowledge circles, workshops and seminars, we are constantly reminded of the amazing strength and resilience of the workforce.

Together, we are working to end domestic, family and sexual violence and to reinforce the vital message that violence is never OK, not now, not ever.