Come and join us on Wednesday 27 May, as we launch our Workforce Plans during DFVP month and celebrate all of these amazing change makers who have shared their passion for driving change to end violence.
Find out how Workforce Plans are creating a sustainable workforce, by supporting the workforce through professional development, ongoing supervision, teaching self care strategies and encouraging self care, resilience and critical thinking.
At our virtual event, you will hear inspirational words from these change makers as they share what drives them, sustains and keeps them in the sector and encouragement for others considering working in the sector.
Read more about their contributions to the workforce here:
Thalep Ahmet – Support Worker, Men’s business and trainee counsellor, Helem Yumba – Rockhampton,
Ella Morter – Manager, Cairns Sexual Assault Service
Mikhaila Markwell – Save the Children, South West Queensland
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
We thank all of these change makers for their inspiration and the commitment they make every day to supporting their clients and the services that they provide as we collaboratively work together to end violence.
Thalep Ahmet from Helem Yumba shared how he is keen to be involved in the Workforce plans. “I think it’s important to shift perspectives about men working in the community sector and therapeutic fields.” Thalep said. “I want to provide my knowledge and insights to support recruitment of and engagement with men and young people in this sector.”
Ella Morter from Cairns Sexual Assault Service shared her inspiration for driving change “Change comes when society as a whole says ‘no more’. It’s the conversations we have with friends and acquaintances, it’s the submissions we provide at a more formal level, it’s empowering people from all walks of society to stand up and speak out when they hear or see something that suggests disrespect or negative attitudes around sexual violence and consent. Change comes from talking more about sexual violence, so that survivors feel empowered to speak about their experiences without blame, and any shame sits only with the perpetrators for their actions.”
Mikhaila Markwell from Save the Children in South West Queensland said “I want to create change through educating women about their rights and the dynamics of domestic violence, so that they are empowered, knowledgeable and confident leaders of the future.”
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.