The Walk Against Family Violence is fast approaching. Meet the speakers and performers you can look forward to seeing at this year's event.
Emcee: Courtney Ugle
The Walk will be hosted by Courtney Ugle, a proud Noongar woman from Bunbury, Western Australia, who has transformed personal tragedy into a mission of hope, healing, and big dreams. She is the founder of Waangkiny, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering communities and fostering change through storytelling.
Growing up in an environment marked by domestic violence, Courtney has faced significant challenges that have fueled her vision and purpose. She is driven to be a voice for those whose stories need to be told and heard, breaking cycles and creating ripples of change to inspire others to find their strength.
Antoinette Braybrook, Djirra
For over two decades Antoinette Braybrook AM has worked at the frontline of Aboriginal women’s safety as the CEO of Djirra, a position she has held since the service was established in 2002. Antoinette is a highly regarded advocate and public speaker, who gives voice at state, national and international levels, to Aboriginal women who have experienced family violence.
Victim Survivors' Advisory Council
We’ll hear from three members of the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council (VSAC); a collective of diverse people from across Victoria with lived experience of family and sexual violence that ensure they are consulted in the family violence reform program.
Further details to be announced.
Joe Ball, Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities
Commissioner Joe Ball is a proud transgender man. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services. Joe was previously CEO of Switchboard Victoria for eight years, where he led the establishment of Rainbow Door, the statewide LGBTIQA+ family violence and mental health helpline.
Djirri Djirri dancers
We’ll also be treated to a performance by the Djirri Djirri dancers, the only female Wurundjeri dance group and Traditional Custodians of Naarm. The group is led by Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung woman, Mandy Nicholson. Mandy is an artist, singer, song-writer, cultural mentor and Woiwurrung language specialist, and will address the crowd following the performance.
Rebecca Barnard
Rebecca Barnard is an Australian singer-songwriter and a familiar voice in the Australian music scene for decades, best known as the frontwoman of Rebecca’s Empire and for her collaborations with some of the country’s most celebrated musicians.
Beyond her music, Rebecca is a passionate advocate for community connection, inclusion and social change. She has dedicated much of her career to supporting grassroots initiatives, including fundraising for women’s refuges and working with young people and communities experiencing disadvantage. As a founding member of the Mirabel Foundation, Rebecca has helped support children affected by parental drug use, using music and songwriting to build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.
Mama Alto and Beloved Friends
The speeches will conclude with a performance from Mama Alto: jazz singer, cabaret artiste and gender-transcendent diva. A transgender and queer person of colour living with disability, her work explores the radical potential of storytelling, strength in softness and power in vulnerability.
Her work across performance, writing, cultural development and community arts has received numerous honours, including the 2021 Australia Council Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development.
Also at the Walk Against Family Violence
Be sure to check out The Red Shoes Installation in Treasury Gardens. Presented by artist Laura Delaney, the work features pairs of red shoes representing Australian women whose lives have been taken by violence.
You’ll also see The Lost Petition – an ongoing textile artwork that lists women and children who have lost their lives to male violence in Australia from 2008. This work is 38 metres long and proceeds to grow in length as women and children’s lives continue to taken by men’s use of violence. Artist Dans Bain will be bringing the work to the Walk.
And stick around for lunch in the Gardens – bring a picnic or grab a bite from the A1 Bakery, Cornutopia and Li’l Dumpling vans, or a hot or cold drink from the Bean Brewed coffee cart.
There will also be stalls from Haus of Dizzy, What Were You Wearing, Australian Femicide Watch, YoungLuv, Gammin Threads, Queen Vic Centre for Women, Zoe Belle Gender Collective, Dress for Success Victoria, Conscious Combat Club and VACCA.
Take a look at the Walk access key for more of what to expect on the day.
We can’t wait to see you there!