2017-2018 - women’s council · 2020. 9. 1. · rap: because of her we can: naidoc women’s...

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The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) seek to ensure that all women and children live free of domestic and family violence.

20 17-20 1 8ANNUAL REPORT

Women’s Council for Family & Domestic Violence Services / Annual Report 2017-20182

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLESAll women and children are people of dignity, strength and resourcefulness. Domestic and Family Violence interferes with women and children’s ability to realise their full potential.

The following principles guide the actions of the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA):

• A commitment to access and equity for all women and children who are or have been experiencing domestic and family violence

• A commitment to sustaining and developing a gendered analysis of domestic and family violence

• A commitment to early intervention that focuses on the safety and protection of women and children

• A recognition of domestic and family violence in same sex relationships

• A commitment to working collaboratively and developing partnerships with key stakeholders in the wider community

OBJECTIVES• To strengthen our unified voice on

domestic and family violence issues.

• To maintain the Women’s Council for Domestic & Family Violence Services (WA) as an independent, viable and credible organisation

• To improve the access of women and children to Women’s Refuges and services which seek to deal with the effects of domestic and family violence

• To provide leadership in the area of domestic and family violence issues to key stakeholders and the community

• To increase the community awareness of the incidence, effects and responses to domestic and family violence

• To collaborate with key stakeholders in the development of policies, legislation and programs which impact on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence

• To ensure access and equity for all members in remote/rural locations

OUR PURPOSEThe Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) is a state-wide peak organisation committed to improving the status of women and children in society.

The role is to provide a voice on domestic and family violence issues that facilitates and promotes policy, legislative and programmatic responses relevant to women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.

The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) operates from a feminist perspective. It proactively advocates for social justice in order to further empowerment, access, equity and safety for all women and children.

Once again, the Women’s Council has had a busy year pursuing the strategic priorities set out by members in 2016, as you will read later in more detail in this annual report.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our members on their stamina and commitment.

When I look at all the work being done by the Women’s Council to create the stronger, sustainable big picture that we are aiming for, and look at our members whose daily actions on behalf of the individual women and children who seek refuge, I am amazed at our capacity. The next year will undoubtedly be filled with more of the constant change and challenges that we have come to expect, but I am optimistic that what is in the future can be no worse than what has already been overcome.

Every year domestic and family violence is a little less hidden. Conversations are being had in workplaces about domestic violence leave and training, in local councils about where to put their purple bench, and in homes about ways in which we can donate and give support to others in crisis. The Women’s Council and its members will be working again next year to keep that conversation going and guiding it into actions that provide opportunities for a new start and a healthy recovery for women and children suffering from domestic and family violence.

I would like to thank the members of the Executive Committee for their commitment and support. These women already have a busy workload, but cheerfully donate their time.

Chairperson’s Report

Thank you to the small, dedicated staff at The Women’s Council and especially our CEO, Angela Hartwig, for her tireless efforts and commitment to the vision of a world without Domestic and Family Violence.

Anne Moore Chairperson

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) cover artwork

by Norma MacDonald

Annual Report 2017-2018 / Women’s Council for Family & Domestic Violence Services 3

The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) has continued to build its network of

Refuge and Domestic and Family Violence Services (DFV) within Western Australia. We have worked collaboratively with a number of government and non-government agencies to improve outcomes for victims of intimate partner and family violence. The Safe Systems Coalition received funding to develop the Blue Print for Action Report, highlighting what headway has been made, and areas that require further consideration around responses to victims and perpetrators of DFV in WA.

The Department for Communities and Lotterywest have provided small grants to enable the Women’s Council to support women without residency currently residing in Refuges. A Working Group consisting of the Women’s Council members and legal services are calling on the state government to bring in standalone legislation to address the often invisible issue of Non-Fatal Strangulation.

CEO’s ReportThe Purple Bench Project is an initiative which began in Canada and has been embraced by a number of local councils who have launched Purple Benches in their region to raise awareness about the fatal consequences of DFV and honour all women, men and children who have lost their lives in WA as result of domestic homicide.

Training workshops are held throughout the year and some that have been very popular are the Common Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework by Margaret MacDonald from 2Right Consulting, and DFV within a Cultural Context with Elizabeth Lang. We have also been working towards achieving the outcomes of our Reconciliation Action Plan – REFLECT.

We have been members of a number of advisory bodies and committee over the last 12 months, including a policy consortium to develop a communication and consultation plan around the development of a 10-Year Strategy to Respond to Family and Domestic Violence in WA. We are also committed to working closely with our first Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence to improve outcomes for women and children who often have to flee their homes as a result of living with a violent partner and/or family member.

Our Patron, Diana Warnock, continues to support the work of the WCDFVS, and in particular, as MC at our Annual Event held for International Women’s Day to raise awareness and money for the Funds for Freedom Project. Through this project women and children exiting Refuges who are seeking to make a fresh start can access a grant to assist with buying white goods and essential items.

The Women’s Council Executive Committee are a team of committed representatives with years of experience and knowledge in DFV Services sector, and I wish to truly thank them for their role in overseeing that the strategic directions and activities of the Women’s Council are being achieved, and ensure good governance and sound management practices are in place.

A special thanks to our Chairperson, Anne Moore, who continues to provide guidance and leadership throughout the year; and support to me in my role as the CEO.

Sincere thanks to Kedy, Bernie, Janette, Carolyn, Therese, Jeanette and Stephen, a small but dedicated team of staff at the Women’s Council, who continue to work hard to progress the aims and objectives of the Women’s Council as a peak body in WA.

Angela Hartwig CEO


The Women’s Council has achieved the following outcomes in line with its Strategic Directions, Speaking Up for a Safer Future 2016-19 and its Strategic Priority Areas 1-5.

PRIORITY 1: STRONGER COMMUNITIESWorking collaboratively to educate the community about domestic and family, dating violence and promoting safe and respectful relationships

The Women’s Council organised the following training and events:

• Melaleucea Prison Staff Training, August 2017.

• Refuge Managers and Staff Training: A morning of new and emerging issues, September 2017 (Non-fatal Strangulation; Pets in DV; Asylum Seekers).

• 27th Annual Silent Domestic and Family Violence Memorial March, November 2017.

• CRARMF (Common Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework), December 2017.

• Safe Connections Training, February 2018.

• Department of Education – Domestic & Family Violence Paid Leave and Workplace Support, March 2018.

• Melaleuca Prison Staff Training, March 2018.

• Domestic & Family Violence in Cross-Cultural Contexts Workshop, May 2018.

• Stalking presented by Dr Lorraine Sheridan, May 2018.

The Women’s Council presented at the following events:

• Notre Dame University; Panel for Medical Students, September 2017.

• Financial Counsellors of WA Conference – Workshop: What’s Mine is Mine and What’s Yours is Also Mine (Economic Abuse); Angela Hartwig and Kedy Kristal.

Strategic Directions 2016-19• UWA Women in Asia Conference.

Workshop: Women without income in Refuges, Kedy Kristal.

• Department of Communities (Housing) – International Women’s Day event.

• Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre, Cannington, October 2018.

• Injury Matters Conference, Workshop Panel , Angela Hartwig, November 2017.

• Australasian Housing and Urban Research Institute , Kedy Kristal Presenting: Safe at Home Services in WA: A work in progress, November 2017.

• DWER : Gender and Violence Awareness, December 2017.

The Women’s Council attended the following events:

• ANROWS Breakfast Briefing with guest speakers Prof Cathy Humphries and ANROWS CEO, Heather Nancarrow, December 2017, Angela Hartwig.

• Domestic & Family Violence and Sexual Assault Forum, Fremantle, January 2018.

• National Ochre Ribbon Day 2018 with the Aboriginal Law Services at Kings Park, February 2018.

• Financial Counsellors of WA Conference – Information stall.

• Shelter WA Homelessness Week Breakfast.

• Young Soroptimists Debate, Kedy Kristal Judging, April 2018.

• WESNET Safety Conference, Melbourne, October 2018.

• CEDA: Rosie Batty: Actions for Business, March 2018.

• Everywoman Expo, Perth – Information Stall, June 2018.

• UWA Indigenous Models.

• Protection & Prevention: Australia’s Inaugural Forced Marriage Conference, June 2018.

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCEThe WCDFVS participated in the 16 Days in WA in the following ways:

• Held a White Ribbon Day Event for high school students at the Mater Dei College as part of the Promoting Safety and Respect Project.

• CEO, Angela Hartwig, provided a presentation to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in front of approximately 100 staff.

• Launched ‘Addressing Financial Abuse, A Domestic and Family Violence Community Resource Guide Western Australia.’ (A partnership between the Commonwealth Bank and Women’s Council).

• Held training for DFV specialist staff around the use of the Common Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework.

• Participated in the social media campaign which was led by the State Government and our first Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, The Hon. Simone McGurk, MLA.

RAP: BECAUSE OF HER WE CAN: NAIDOC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE The Women’s Council, as part of its Reconciliation Action Plan, offered a subsidy of $1,500 to assist Lauren Shaw, Refuge Manager, Marninwarntikura Women’s Shelter in Fitzroy Crossing to attend this conference in Sydney 11-12 July 2018.

PROMOTING SAFETY AND RESPECT PROGRAMThe Year 10 students from Mater Dei College Edgewater embarked on a 5-week learning program, examining relationship behaviours through the WCDFVS Promoting Safety and Respect Project (PSRP). PSRP gives young people the knowledge, support and resources to make informed relationship decisions, skills to both recognise and assess risk, normalise help-seeking responses to violence


and abuse, and to know where and how to get help in times of trouble.

At the end of the project, the students signed their White Ribbon pledges to “Never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women”, and installed them to create a giant white ribbon. Students also spent the day making their own white ribbon badges and bunting, and reinstalling their white ribbon pledges around the school grounds to raise awareness about Domestic, Family and Teen-dating Violence (DFTV) to other students and staff at the College.

A select group of students commenced the PSRP peer education program during the last week of school in December 2017. These students were trained to act as contact points for other students seeking information about DFTV, as well as being in charge of awareness-raising activities at their school in 2018. While Peer educators are not expected to act as counsellors, they are trained to facilitate linking students with appropriate staff to support them at school, or support agencies available to them within their local community.

PURPLE BENCH MOVEMENT IN WA The Women’s Council launched the Purple Bench Project in February 2018. The project aims to change public perception of violence against women and children. It is a visible reminder to community members that domestic and family violence can have fatal consequences. A plaque honouring all victims who have lost their lives as a result as domestic homicide is secured on the bench, together with the DV Helpline phone number. The Women’s Council wrote to local governments to offer a partnership in highlighting the issue of DFV. The first purple bench was launched in International Women’s Day week at Fremantle, with the Minister for the Prevention of DFV, Hon Simone McGurk (MLA) and the Fremantle Mayor, Dr Brad Pettitt, jointly launching the bench. At the Candlelight Vigil in

May, the City of Perth purple bench was launched in the Supreme Court Gardens. Purple benches at the Cities of South Perth, Belmont and Cockburn quickly followed. The Cities of Vincent, Rockingham Swan and Bayswater (two benches) have committed to the installation of benches, as have the Shires of Narrogin, Northam, and Harvey.

NON-FATAL STRANGULATION In January, following training for refuge managers by Dr Debbie Smith from SARC, which raised awareness of the seriousness that on-fatal strangulation, the Women’s Council commenced voluntary data collection for Refuges, Safe at Home services, DFV outreach services and CRS services across the state. The majority of metropolitan Refuges have participated and completed the one-page data sheet for all new clients each month. The monthly summary of data is reported back to services through the WCDFVS monthly newsletter and has been used to lobby government ministers and in media reports. The Women’s Council has received a positive response to our letter calling for consideration of a new offence of non-fatal strangulation. The Attorney-General has asked for the Department of Justice to undertake further research and consultation to investigate if there is a need for such an offence, the elements of such an offence, and the maximum penalty for such an offence.

EVERYWOMAN EXPOThe Women’s Council attended the Brown’s EveryWoman Expo on 15-17 June 2018 and staffed a stall for the 26-hour duration. We booked the minimum size stall (2x2m) and were located next to Breast Screen and Cervical Cancer.

We sold $275 worth of merchandise, received approximately $100 in donations and distributed over 100 pieces of informational resources. There were 84 recorded contacts across the three days. Seventeen were with survivors or their families

(including a recipient of a Safety & Security Grant from several years ago), and five were from health or education organisations that DV touched. The majority of contacts were positive about us being at the Expo for awareness raising, even if not seeking to engage with us.

PRIORITY 2: POSITIVE SOCIAL RESPONSESPromote justice and advocate for quality responses to a diverse range of women and children escaping domestic and family violence

The Women’s Council continues to advocate for the best interests of women and children escaping DFV by participating in a range of committees and advisory networks including:

• Centre for Response-Based Practice, Canada

• DFV Policy Consortium

• Doors to Safety Project (Women with disabilities experiencing DFV)

• Family Violence Governance Council

• Family & Domestic Violence Advisory Network

• Homelessness WA

• Family Law Court Reference Group

• Ombudsman’s DFV Advisory Panel

• National Women with No Income on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence Committee

• Safe as Houses

• Safe Systems Coalition

• Shelter WA

• Tenancy WA

• Stopping Family Violence

• WACOSS Peaks Meetings

• WESNET and AWAVA

Women’s Council provided submissions to:

• Select Committee into Elder Abuse.

• Australian Law Reform Commission, Review of the Family Law System.


• PARITY, March 2018, Vol. 31, Issue 1, “The Future of Women’s Refuges” articles:

1. Celebrating 40 years with Dignity, Angela Hartwig.

2. Developing New Models and Services: Supporting women and children who currently do not have residency in Australia, Kedy Kristal.

WOMEN WITHOUT INCOME (BROKERAGE PILOT)The pilot commenced in February 2018, supported by a Lotterywest Emergency Relief grant and a Department of Communities grant. The Women’s Council has also allocated philanthropic donations to the pilot, including $4,000 from the charity, Standing Shoulder to Shoulder. Seven Refuges referred eighteen women and nine children to the pilot in the first six months. As of 30 June, six women and one child had exited the pilot, as they had either gained Centrelink support, found work, or left the state.

The Women’s Council, in partnership with the Ethnic Communities Council, has established a working group of refuge, migrant DFV services and legal services to advocate and raise awareness of the ongoing issues facing women and children with temporary residency in Australia who are also experiencing domestic and family

violence. There was a commitment from the migrant services that they would start to collect data on the numbers of WWI they were assisting

The Council has joined the National Women with No Income on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence Committee and there has been a lot of interest in the WA pilot as it is unique in Australia.

PRIORITY 3: EMPOWERING VICTIMSSupport the voice and strength of women and children escaping domestic and family violence

IWD SPARKLING HIGH TEA 2018 Women’s Council’s International Women’s Day Sparkling High Tea to raise money for the Funds for Freedom Project, was held at the Duxton Hotel on March 9, 2018. Thanks to our regular supporters and new friends who made the day a delight. Our Patron, Diana Warnock, wowed once again as MC. Our speakers, the Hon. Simone McGurk (MLA), Minister for the Prevention of Domestic & Family Violence, and Dr Anne Aly, Federal Member for Cowan, brought laughter and tears, and an appreciation of why women should celebrate on International Women’s Day.

A Big Thankyou to our sponsors for their generous support. Stelios

Jewellers once again provided the first raffle prize of a pair of beautiful pearl studs. HESTA Superannuation not only donated their usual hamper and bottle of Moet, but also two tickets to the Committee for the Economic Development Australia (CEDA) lunch for Rosie Batty. The Principality of Hutt River, Anne Moore and Angela Russo provided their usual generous support with raffle prizes. Our new friends from Ferngrove, Frankland River Wines, gave freely of their wine and merchandising and even brought extra bottles of ‘bubbles’ on the day - but you need to come along next year to have a chance at that! With entry and raffle tickets, sales of merchandise and donations, we raised $7,000.

FUNDS FOR FREEDOM FFF provides grants of up to $550 for women and children exiting refuges and seeking to make a fresh start, free from a violent partner or ex-partner. Grants are to assist with white goods or small security items for women setting up in a new home. In this reporting period, the WCDFVS dispensed grants to 30 women (with 53 children) totalling $12,896. Please note: these funds are raised by the Women’s Council through various fundraising events and by donations from the public. A special thanks to Myers Carousel for choosing us as its store charity partner in 2017.


CANDLE LIGHTING VIGILThe second Candle Lighting Vigil was held on Thursday 3rd May in the Perth Supreme Court Gardens. Despite it being a cold evening, more than 60 people attended. Ms Oriel Green gave the Welcome to Country, followed by speeches from Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Hon Simone McGurk (MLA), and Anne–Marie, a survivor of domestic violence. A candle was lit to acknowledge each of the 13 deaths due to domestic and family violence since the last vigil.

At the same event, the second purple bench - supported by the City of Perth and located in the Supreme Court Gardens - was launched by Minister McGurk and Mr Martin Copeman, Manager of Parks, City of Perth. The

Women’s Council wishes to thank agency partners, the Department of Communities, Stopping Family Violence, Communicare and Family Law Pathways Network, for their financial support and participation.

27TH ANNUAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEMORIAL MARCHThe Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March organised by the Women’s Council for DFV Services (WA), was held on Friday 17 November at the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth. 25 information stallholders attended.

MC, Verity James, introduced speakers who included Walter and Doolan-Leisha Eatts (Welcome to Country), with Samuel Pilot-Kickett on the

didgeridoo. The Hon Simone McGurk (MLA), Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, provided a clear outline of the State Government’s commitment to ending this insidious issue within our society.

Survivor, Robyn Westgate, gave a powerful and inspiring presentation, which received a lot of positive feedback. Anne Moore, WCDFVS Chair, had the daunting task of reading out the 12 victims since the last DV Memorial March in November 2016, while invited guests laid a red rose In Loving Memory of those victims.

Approximately 500 people then walked in silent protest through the streets of the CBD to emphasise the fact that: “One Death is Too Many”.


ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PILOT PROJECTCurtin University is currently writing up the Evaluation Report from the EEPP, with three women’s refuge services, Lucy Saw, Starick and Wooree Miya. Training workshops were provided for staff and women from the refuges, Safe At Home, and DFV Outreach services. The Evaluation Report will focus on feedback from staff and the women. A funding proposal to Lotterywest has been submitted and will involve expanding the project to other refuges, including rural and remote locations. WCDFVS, Curtin and the Financial Counsellors WA will be the key agencies involved in the implementation of the expansion of the project if the submission is successful.

PRIORITY 4: PERPETRATOR ACCOUNTABILITYEnsuring that social responses hold perpetrators accountable

STOPPING FAMILY VIOLENCEThe WCDFVS holds a position on the interim board of ‘Stopping Family Violence’. Funding at this point is for a limited period and will be used to progress the National Outcome Standards for Perpetrator Interventions (NOSPI) work, and the development of a Perpetrator Network, and minimum standards for working with perpetrators in WA. The WCDFVS is pleased to see the progress and focus from both federal and state governments in this area.

The Women’s Council support the following recommendations within the Safe Systems Blue Print for Action Report:

1. Ensure providers of Men’s Behaviour Change Programs in WA are accredited and audits are conducted by appropriately skilled assessors to ensure compliance with Practice Standards in use in WA;

2. Enhance the safety of women and children by ensuring perpetrator engagement within the court processes

3. Undertake work to develop a suite of perpetrator interventions and programs that are implemented according to the latest knowledge and evidence about their efficacy in managing risk, achieving behaviour and attitude change, reducing re-offending for different needs and cohorts of perpetrators;

4. Support the uptake of the Safe and Together and Dignity Driven Practices when working to enhance the safety of women and children, whilst holding the perpetrator accountable.

PRIORITY 5: SECTOR SUSTAINABILITYEnsure the ongoing sustainability of the DFV sector through innovation, partnerships and capacity building

EXPLORING COOPERATIVE MODELSIn collaboration with the Women’s Community Health Network WA, the Women’s Council of Domestic and Family Violence Services has applied for funding through WACOSS to:

1. To contract an independent consultant to undertake a literature review to prepare a brief on current local, national and international approaches to delivering efficiency through co-operative models. The purpose is to collect evidence of models that work well and do not compromise client engagement and outcomes and the principles of best practice in service delivery for women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence and/or complex health and social circumstances.

2. Brief the women’s refuge and the women’s community health services sectors on the findings of the research undertaken.

3. Prepare an online survey to ascertain the women’s refuge and women’s services sectors position/s regarding the most useful/appropriate models to take to the next round of consultations.

4. Host a forum/workshop to further ‘unpack’ the models with the women’s refuges and women’s services sectors to progress possible ways of co-operating to maximise efficiencies and sustainability of services.

5. Collate and report on the findings and project outcomes

LAUNCH OF THE SAFE SYSTEMS – A BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGEThe Hon. Simone McGurk, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence launched the Safe Systems Coalition, A Blue Print for Action on 7 May 2018. One year on, the SSC assessed what had been achieved since the Safe Systems election campaign. The report also identified systemic gaps and proposed the next steps required to promote the immediate and longer term safety of women and children experiencing domestic and family violence in WA.

MATILDA GARD SERVICESThe WCDFVS entered a collaborative partnership with Casson Homes to supporting the development of a medium term accommodation facility for single women and women with children exiting Refuges to reside with support for up to 12 months. The WCDFVS Working Group have assisted with the appointment of a Manager, the development of eligibility, in-take and referral processes, and ongoing supervision.


DONATION FROM RIO TINTOA $14,000 donation was received from Rio Tinto from a Charity Golf Day. The Women’s Council was one of three recipients. The funds have been allocated to the following projects with Executive Committee approval:

• Funds for Freedom

• Women Without Income

• Sponsorship for one Aboriginal Woman to attend the ‘Because of Her, We Can’….NAIDOC Week Conference in Sydney

• Time to Stop Domestic Violence T-shirts

HESTAThe Women’s Council supported HESTA’s call to the Federal Government to change superannuation rules to allow family violence victims and survivors, as a last resort, to access their Superannuation. HESTA is proposing that an amount of up to $10,000 can be accessed under compassionate grounds, as women already retire with almost half the Super of men, and family violence is one of the rare situations in which short-term financial needs are more compelling than the need to preserve superannuation for retirement.

VARIETY WA – TOYBANKThe WCDFVS has had partnership with Variety Toy Bank since 1994, providing toys, games and gifts for children and young people in WA women’s refuges. In the last 12 months, Charity Link has partnered with Variety WA, and will now be the central point for dissemination of items donated at Toy Bank functions.

SAFE CONNECTIONS-MOBILE PHONE PROJECT The Women’s Council is the West Australian WESNET Safe Connections state distributor of the Telstra free mobile phone program for women who have experienced DFV and whose safety would be increased by access to a new mobile phone. From November 2017 to June 2018:

• 42 boxes (595 phones) sent to women’s refuges to distribute to clients in WA.

• As a local agency, 21 individual phones distributed to DFV services who requested phone for a client who had experienced DFV.

WEBSITE AND MEMBERS ONLY ONLINE The following video clips were filmed and information embedded into our Members Only site by our Multimedia Officer, Stephen Hartwig for our members’ viewing:

• Natalie Foster, Pets in Crisis (RSCPA).

• Claire Kartsidimas - Access to Welfare and Financial Support.

• Janine Hanlon, Counsellor, Mater Dei College - Massage as an intervention with children and parents.

• 27th Annual Silent DV Memorial March footage.

• Launch of the Purple Bench.

• IWD High Tea 2018.

• Domestic and Family Violence within a Cultural Context with Elizabeth Lang.

• Keeping Kids Safe guest speakers.

SOCIAL MEDIAThe Women’s Council engage the use of social media, Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness around domestic and family violence, events, media statements and campaigns such as International Women’s Day, Homelessness Week and the 16 Days

ULURU STATEMENT FROM THE HEART

We, gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, coming from all pointsof the southern sky, make this statement from the heart: Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of theAustralian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own lawsand customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, fromthe Creation, according to the common law from ‘time immemorial’, and according toscience more than 60,000 years ago. This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or ‘mothernature’, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were borntherefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united withour ancestors. This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, ofsovereignty. It has never been ceded or extinguished, and co-exists with thesovereignty of the Crown. How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and thissacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years? With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancientsovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood. Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not aninnately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot bebecause we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscenenumbers. They should be our hope for the future. These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. This isthe torment of our powerlessness. We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in ourown country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. Theywill walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country. We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. Itcaptures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people ofAustralia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination. We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-makingbetween governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history. In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and startour trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of theAustralian people for a better future.


STAFF MEMBERS 2017-18CEO Angela HartwigPolicy Officer Kedy KristalExecutive Assistant Bernie SermonEvents Manager Carolyn WallFinance/Admin Officer Janette RichardsonAdministrative Officer Jeanette CounselPSR Project Officer Julie Jackman (left Jan 2018)Project Officer Therese SmithMultimedia Officer Stephen Hartwig

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2017-18 OFFICE BEARERSChairperson: Anne MooreDeputy Chair: Angie Perkins Treasurer: Margaret MacDonaldSecretary: Petrina Slater

CALD Representative: Fiona Reid Indigenous Representative: Petrina SlaterRemote Representative: VacantRural Representative: Bernie Collins Refuge Representative: Anna ScottRefuge Representative: Kate JeffriesRefuge Representative: Anne MooreRefuge Representative: Angie Perkins

DFV (Other) Representative: Margaret MacDonald Corina Martin

ORGANISATIONAL MEMBERS Aboriginal Family Law Services Albany Women’s CentreAnglicare WA (East Perth)Armadale Domestic Violence Intervention Project Inc.Carnarvon Family Support Service Inc – Gascoyne Women’s RefugeCasson Homes Inc.Centrecare Inc. (Family & Domestic Violence Services)Desert Blue Connect Inc – Chrysalis House Women’s RefugeDesert Blue Connect – DFV OutreachDampier Peninsula Safe HouseEsperance Crisis Accommodation ServiceGawooleng Yawoodeng Aboriginal CorporationGoldfields Women’s Refuge Association Inc.Graceville Women’s Centre Harmony PlaceHedland Women’s RefugeKira Safe House – Rise Your Community Support NetworkKoolkuna Women’s RefugeLaverton Crisis Intervention ServiceLucy Saw Centre Lucy Saw Centre – Safe at home ProgrammeLucy Saw Centre – Fremantle-CRSLucy Saw Centre – Mandurah-CRSLucy Saw Centre – Rockingham-CRSMarnin Bowa Dumbara Aboriginal Association - Derby Family Healing CentreMarninwarntikura Women’s Shelter – Fitzroy CrossingMarnju Jarndu Women’s RefugeMission AustraliaMulticultural Women’s Advocacy ServiceNardine Wimmin’s RefugeNintirri CentreNewman Women’s ShelterNgaringga Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation

Ngnowar Aerwah Safe HouseNintirri Centre IncOrana House IncPat Thomas House IncPat Thomas House Inc – Peel DV AdvocacyPatricia Giles CentreRelationships Australia WA Inc.Share and Care Community Service Group – Magnolia Women’s CentreShare and Care Community Service Group – Rainbow Women’s CentreSouth West Refuge Inc.Starick Services - Starick House: Centre for Safety & WellbeingStarick Services – Mary Smith: Centre for Safety & WellbeingStirling Women’s RefugeStirling Safe at HomeThe Salvation Army - Karratha Women’s RefugeTuart House – Communicare Inc Warrawee Women’s Refuge Women’s Community Health Network WAWomen’s Health & Family Services – Domestic Violence Advocacy and Support Central (DVAS)Women’s Law Centre of WA (Inc)Wungening Aboriginal CorporationWyn Carr House – UnitingCare WestZonta House Refuge Association

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSAdventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) AustraliaAllambee CounsellingChristine JohnsonCommunicare Inc Domestic Violence Action CentreFamily Violence Service (Stephen Clarke)Goldfields Women’s Health Care CentreGosnells Community Legal Centre IncHon. Amber Jade Sanderson MLCHon. Stephen Dawson MLCKate WintonKaye MurrayLeanne O’SheaPeel Youth ServicesSCALES – Community Legal CentreSouth Coastal Women’s Health Services South West Counselling Inc.

RECIPROCAL MEMBERSAngelhands Injury Control Council of WASexuality Education Counselling & Consultancy Agency (SECCA)WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies

Membership and staff


Financial ReportFor the year ended 30 June 2018


INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S Report

PO Box 8437 Perth Business Centre WA 6849

Phone (08) 9420 7264 Fax (08) 9486 8744

Email [email protected]

2017-2018 - women’s council · 2020. 9. 1. · rap: because of her we can: naidoc women’s...

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