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SPEAKERS
Introducing our esteemed panel of speakers, each a leading figure in their respective domains, actively shaping the future through their expertise and groundbreaking innovations.
From industry pioneers to forward-thinking influencers, this diverse assembly represents a fusion of knowledge, insight, and inspiration. Prepare for an engaging and enlightening experience as they impart their invaluable wisdom and experiences at our forthcoming conference.
Other speakers to be announced soon!
The Hon Quentin Bryce AD CVO
Quentin has enjoyed a career of more than 50 years in service to our community as an academic, human rights lawyer, senior public officer, university college principal and Vice-regal representative in Queensland and Australia.
In 2008 she was sworn in as 25th Governor General, the first women to occupy the office. She remains a pioneer in contemporary Australian society.
In 2014 Bryce chaired a special Task Force on domestic and family violence in Queensland. In 2015 the Task Force delivered its report to the Premier. It’s report ‘Not Now Not Ever’ provided 140 recommendations to set the vision and direction for a Queensland strategy to end the horrific scourge on our community which appears to be increasing in incidence and severity.
The Task Force issued a challenge to families, friends, neighbours, community leaders and community groups. We all have a responsibility to stop the behaviour and attitudes that perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence.
In 2008 she was sworn in as 25th Governor General, the first women to occupy the office. She remains a pioneer in contemporary Australian society.
In 2014 Bryce chaired a special Task Force on domestic and family violence in Queensland. In 2015 the Task Force delivered its report to the Premier. It’s report ‘Not Now Not Ever’ provided 140 recommendations to set the vision and direction for a Queensland strategy to end the horrific scourge on our community which appears to be increasing in incidence and severity.
The Task Force issued a challenge to families, friends, neighbours, community leaders and community groups. We all have a responsibility to stop the behaviour and attitudes that perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence.
The Hon Virginia Bell AC, SC
Virginia served as a Justice of the High Court of Australia for 12 years from February 2009. At the date of her appointment, she was a judge of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. After graduating in law, she practiced as a solicitor for seven years with the Redfern Legal Centre, which was then newly established. She acted for many survivors of domestic violence, several of whom were referred to the Centre by Elsie. Virginia was admitted to the Bar in 1984. She was appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in March 1999. In 2012, she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the judiciary and the law through judicial administration, and as an advocate for the economically and socially disadvantaged. In 2022, she conducted an Inquiry for the Commonwealth Government into the appointment of the former Prime Minister to administer multiple Departments of State.
Christine Robinson
Christine is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre.
Christine is a Bundjalung woman and has worked in the area of domestic, family, and sexual violence for over 30 years.
Wirringa Baiya is a gender and culturally-specific community legal centre. The Centre provides access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children, and young people. Wirringa Baiya pays special attention to working with victims and survivors of violence.
Christine is currently a member of the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team, the NSW Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Council, and the First Nations Coercive Control Reference Group.
Christine is a Bundjalung woman and has worked in the area of domestic, family, and sexual violence for over 30 years.
Wirringa Baiya is a gender and culturally-specific community legal centre. The Centre provides access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children, and young people. Wirringa Baiya pays special attention to working with victims and survivors of violence.
Christine is currently a member of the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team, the NSW Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Council, and the First Nations Coercive Control Reference Group.
Dr Hannah Tonkin
Hannah commenced as the inaugural NSW Women's Safety Commissioner in February 2023. In this role, she provides leadership on whole-of-government policies and programs on domestic, family and sexual violence. Previously Hannah worked as an international lawyer and policy adviser at the UN, as Director of Disability Rights at the Australian Human Rights Commission, and as a barrister in London and Adelaide. While at the UN, Hannah worked in a range of conflict and post-conflict contexts including Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Gaza, Ukraine and the former Yugoslavia, with a focus on protecting civilians, prosecuting war crimes and addressing sexual abuse.
Dr Anne Summers AO
Anne is currently Professor of Domestic and Family Violence at the University of Technology of Sydney Business School. She has been awarded substantial funding by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and UTS to continue her innovative data-based research into domestic violence in Australia. Her recent report The Choice: violence or poverty (2022) used previously unpublished ABS data to reveal the far greater prevalence of domestic violence than was previously known, and especially the shockingly high incidence among women who have become single mothers as a result. The report influenced the federal government to make changes in the recent federal budget to the payment system for single mothers, enabling these mothers to remain on the Parenting Payment until their youngest child reaches the age of 14.
Previously, Anne has advised Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, run the Office of the Status of Women, been Canberra Bureau Chief for the Australian Financial Review newspaper, been editor-in-chief of America’s leading feminist magazine Ms., editor of Good Weekend, chair of the Board of Greenpeace International and a Trustee of the Powerhouse Museum.
She has been an activist in the women’s movement since its inception and in 1974 was involved in establishing Elsie Women’s Refuge the first modern shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence.
She was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women in 1989; had her image on a postage stamp as an Australian Legend in 2011 and in 2017 was inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame
Previously, Anne has advised Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, run the Office of the Status of Women, been Canberra Bureau Chief for the Australian Financial Review newspaper, been editor-in-chief of America’s leading feminist magazine Ms., editor of Good Weekend, chair of the Board of Greenpeace International and a Trustee of the Powerhouse Museum.
She has been an activist in the women’s movement since its inception and in 1974 was involved in establishing Elsie Women’s Refuge the first modern shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence.
She was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women in 1989; had her image on a postage stamp as an Australian Legend in 2011 and in 2017 was inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame
Micaela Cronin
Micaela commenced as Australia’s first Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner on 1 November 2022. Micaela began her career as a social worker in family violence and sexual assault services, and has held leadership roles across the social service sector in Australia and internationally, including President of ACOSS. Micaela was the CEO of an international non-government organisation based in Asia, working to build global service delivery and strategic partnerships to tackle human trafficking and human rights abuses. In 2014, Micaela was awarded the Robin Clark Leadership award, Victoria’s most prestigious Children’s Protection award, recognising a leader who inspires others in achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families.
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