Stronger Together: Zonta Empowering Voices in Our Community

In this episode of "Stronger Together," join us as we explore the powerful theme of community strength in the face of adversity. We delve into the critical issue of violence against women, highlighting the transformative power of collective action. Our special guest, Jo Leverett of the Zonta Club of Bundaberg, shares inspiring stories of advocacy and resilience, including the legacies of Hannah Clarke and Allison Baden-Clay. Their stories have spurred significant legislative reforms and heightened awareness of gender-based violence.

We discuss the 16 Days of Activism campaign, a global movement that transcends awareness to foster real change and solidarity. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a call to action, urging listeners to engage in grassroots activism and support those impacted by violence.

As we gear up for the Day of Community, we invite everyone to join us in a united stand for a safer, more equitable world. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on the power of unity and the role we all play in being agents of change.

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Thank you for listening to this episode of "Stronger Together" We hope you enjoyed the conversation and gained valuable insights.

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Transcript

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Welcome to Stronger Together, a powerful podcast series hosted by IMPACT Community Services. Join us as we discuss the importance of wellbeing support systems and how a strong community can be a lifeline for those in need. I'm Tanya O'Shea, managing director of IMPACT. And Hi, I'm Kate Rumballe IMPACT's communications officer. This episode may contain discussions on topics such as mental health, violence or other sensitive issues that could be triggering or distressing for some listeners. If you find this content challenging, we encourage you to pause the episode and seek immediate support. Information on where to seek help will be provided at the end of this episode or on our website. impact.org.au. Please prioritise your well-being while listening. Before we begin, we wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet. We pay our respects to the elders, past, present and future, but they hold the memories, traditions, the culture, hopes and values not only of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but for all Australians. Now let's delve into the important conversations awaiting us in today's episode. I am Tanya O'Shea and welcome to this episode of Stronger Together, where we talk about lots of different things that are happening within our community and are important to people within our community. Welcome, Kate. It's good to be back again. Yeah. Great to see you because I'm super excited because we are right in the middle at the moment of the UN. 16 Days of Activism campaign to Eliminate Violence Against Women. This is a an incredibly it's a thing that I'm incredibly passionate about working for an organisation that works very closely with victims and survivors of domestic violence and violence within families and I know other people in our community is incredibly passionate and Zonta is one of those local clubs who has been operating in the local community for over 35 years. And we are lucky enough to have Joe Leverett, Zonta board member for the Club of Bundaberg, but also the chair of the Zonta Advocacy Committee with us here today. Welcome, Joey. Morning, Tanya. Morning, Kate. Yeah. Thanks so much for coming along. Now, how long have you been a member of Zonta Jo? Approximately three years. You've been with Zonta. And last year you were one of the key organizers of the 16 days of activism event here in Bundaberg. That's right. I led the campaign last year for 2022 with a group of likeminded ZONTA members, and we were actually successful in winning Community Organisation of the Year with the Bundaberg Regional Council as a result of the campaign for 2022. Fantastic. Yeah, that is. It is and well deserved. Thank you. Well-deserved in what you what you guys are doing within the community, but also particularly, I guess, this campaign which we really want to feature as part of today's program. 16 days 16 days. That is a lot of things to organize. Now we've got your calendar in front of us and we will talk about that a little bit more shortly. But last year, IMPACT Community Services was delighted to meet with Sue Clark from Small Steps for Hannah, who the Zonta Club brought here to Bundaberg. Tell us a little bit about reaching out to Sue and the reasons behind that and you know a little bit about her visit last year. Well, that was actually Sue's second visit. She was part of our 2021 campaign as well as 22, and it was a continuation of the story and the journey with her. And Lloyd led her husband their campaign to lobby for reform in Queensland when it comes to domestic violence and specifically coercive control. So they were with us in 2021, and their story is, of course, quite well known, which is the very regrettable and unfortunate death of Hannah and her children. So that's Lord and Sue's daughter, and that was at the hand of her husband and the father of the children. So there was a lot of media attention around that when it happened, as Sue and Lloyd wanted to make sure that their deaths were not in vain. And so they have been tireless advocates in this space. So having them back last year, which there had been significant progress, that they had significant influence in, which resulted in things like the Commission of Inquiry into police responses against in terms of domestic violence. There was the Margaret McMurdo Taskforce. So last year there was significant inquiries. There were huge numbers of recommendations that were made. And ultimately this year, 2023, we actually saw coercive control legislated in Queensland. Inspirational. When we talk a lot about organisationally, we know that there are systems in place that are there to support people. However, we know that sometimes change is needed and that change can take time and sometimes it just feels overwhelming. It feels like you're sort of you keep pushing and pushing and pushing for change and nothing happens. However, Lloyd and Sue Clarke and the work that they have done, it has been inspirational to see the change that they have created in what feels like. I know it won't feel like that for them, but what feels like such a short period of time. Now the Zonta Club, I believe, are flying that same flag, aren't they, in relation to the elimination of violence against women and and children? But the constant looking for change, they're constantly continuing to turn up. They're constantly looking for ways that they can share amazing stories, bring amazing, inspirational people into our community, but inspire the change that needs to happen. So when we look at your 16 days of activism and what a busy calendar it is, tell us about some of the things, the highlights or the showcase for those who aren't aware of of what you guys do in the local community within those days. Tell us about some of those things that we have seen and that we can expect to see in the in the remainder of the campaign. Can I circle back to. Yep. Another family who's been affected by domestic violence and who is involved in last year's campaign was Vanessa Fowler and her family. And Vanessa is the sister of the late Allison Baden-Clay. Wow. So I actually have goose bumps just saying that. So part of last year's campaign was we had, Sue Clarke and their team who talked about the journey, but we also then at the end of the campaign had had a presentation and conversation with Vanessa Fowler and her family because it's been, it's been more than ten years since that happened, which was the murder of the late Allison Baden-Clay at that event. Her eldest child was also there. And the resilience that you see in that whole family, the courage, the bravery to make sure that the story is not forgotten is just so impressive. So that was that was a big highlight from last year's campaign. And so powerful, I would imagine. So so Vanessa, as Fowler and her family, in addition to Sue and Lloyd Clarke, have been influential with the realisation now of significant legislative reform in Queensland. And Vanessa sits on a number of government boards which drives change in that space. Wow. It's so powerful. So if we think about the event, the jampacked calendar that you have for this year, the events that have that have already happened and the ones that you've still got coming up, tell us about some of those events and why it is important that people get behind them. It's it's about raising awareness and we try as a club, we try to do that in ways that are impactful. We've just had the ringing of the bells at Christchurch and that's always well-attended and it and it was just recently and the bells are rung in remembrance of women who have died because of gender based violence this year in 2023. What is disturbing is that so we do this every year and then we ring the bells at the end of the campaign, and every year there are more bells that are rung, said the bells rung for every woman who has died. And that's that is sad, but it's also impactful and really makes you think, wow, in just 16 days that statistic has increased. I've got chills now hearing that. Not in a good way. No, it's not. It's very sobering. It's very sobering. Yeah. So we do that at the like we've just done at the start and we'll be doing it again at the end of the campaign. And that's it's done publicly because it's done it right there in the park. Yeah. So that's that's a highlight. That's a highlight for want of a better word. It's and it's quite emotional, you know, sitting in that in the church, listening to those bells being wrong and being part of just being part of that and sitting it's it's quite eerie, isn't it? And then to think that at the end of the campaign, there's even more bells. It's uncomfortable to reflect on the reason for that, isn't it? Absolutely. But it's also so essential that we do reflect. And then you were part of last year's campaign as well, so you would probably vividly remember some of these things. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. And you get quite emotional about it. Sorry, as I do in recounting some of that, because we had the opportunity to speak last year, as Will, on behalf of our organisation and the work that we do, but also one of the survivors of domestic violence was able to share her story as well. And that was an incredibly courageous we talk about courageous people who have been part of a violence and trauma history background and their willingness to share the courage that that takes and also the resilience that they start to build and the healing that occurs as a result of that. I think that's incredibly important as well and is hopefully a shining light for other people who's who have that same lived experience when it feels really hard that they can be a beacon of hope, that that they can actually take that next step and continue to get out of bed each day and continue to turn up and and live their life the best that they can. Yes, I can remember there was silence in the room when she was speaking. And if my memory serves me correctly, there was a standing ovation in recognition of her bravery for telling her story and the lengths that she had that she had come with her, with her journey was very good, was a terrific campaign last year. Absolutely. Absolutely. No, you look you did you led a great campaign and obviously so passionate about it. Joe. So tell us a little bit more about what's ahead in the remainder of the campaign. There's a printed program that's been circulating around businesses and community organisations, and it's also been available on the social media platforms that the Zonta Club uses. And it is it is jam packed. So every day there is an activity or an event. And I think in the Bundaberg community there's a growing awareness of seeing Orange, seeing the word centre and seeing community organisations getting on board. So the word is definitely getting out there. There's a greater recognition of what it is, which is so important and also the visibility. So we're not just about putting material on digital platforms, it's also about having a visual presence by our, for example, our orange ladies, which are probably about a meter and a half high made of timber, and they were actually done by the men's shed here in Bundaberg. They're very obvious and we have them at a number of businesses on display. The lighting of the fig trees by the council in Orange is another thing which is quite obvious and visible, and the remembrance tree is another one that is impactful and that's on display at the moment at Across the Waves. And that tree is full of shoes that represent women who have women and children who have died as a result of DV The visual, I think sometimes it's a really uncomfortable thing for people to talk about, and it's really easy sometimes to just go, that happens to other people. I don't need to worry about that. And they get on with their lives and choose. Make a choice not to expose themselves to information around violence and trauma that's created from that. And I guess that visual is quite incredible. It's that constant reminder that, hey, this is happening within our community. Hey, we need to all take accountability and responsible. We all have a role that we need to play. And you touched on it before around the community, getting behind the visibility, the profile it's onto has, but it's bigger than Zonta. We've got a whole of community getting behind it. Tell us about some of those connections, some of those collaborators that that are working with Zonta to really raise the profile and raise awareness. It's multifaceted from our elected representatives. All of them have been involved in the campaign for the whole time that I've that I've been a member of Zonta, which is fantastic. Community organisations, Rotary, Phoenix, House, Edon Place. There's too many, there's too many to name. So there's the community organisations and IMPACT of course. And then there's business that there's a corporate world. So we've had significant support from a number of businesses. Again, too many to name. But we also recognise these organisations that acknowledge the work and contribution that they make in supporting on our digital platforms and in our printed material. Right? So if people are listening to this and they think I want to be part of this, this is something that I'm incredibly passionate about, but I've never quite known how how I could get involved. What what would be your advice to anyone who would like to put their hand up and say, Hey, can I be part of what you're doing to raise awareness? Very easy. Come along to one of the days. So they all around Bundaberg in accessible and easy to find locations. There are also activities that people can view online. So depending on whether people feel comfortable doing it that way or whether they want to do it in person, it could be as simple as wearing an orange ribbon. It could be as simple as having something orange on or just coming along and having a chat with some of the members of the club. Now, even though we are a club that is female, we have a number of honorary solutions, some of whom are men, right? Yes. And they've been recognised as Onzons as we call them, honouree's options because of their and their like their local people because of their contribution to to the cause. And the cause, of course, is making the world a better place for women and girls. It's as simple as that. It's about elimination of violence at the end of the day, that's the altruistic state, isn't it, to eliminate violence. I was asked the other day by a journalist, if you could if you could bring something into your community, what would it be? For me, it's pretty simple. It's safety. I would love to think that everyone could put their head on a pillow, wherever that is at night, and they could go to sleep knowing that they could wake up the next day and them and their family was safe from violence, exploitation, that they could go to bed feeling, feeling safe. And I think as a society, it's something that we've come to expect that that's just one of our basic needs. Right. If you have a look at Maslow's hierarchy, safety is a basic need that according to Maslow, unless we have our safety needs met, it's very, very challenging for us to then go and pursue other interests in our lives to maintain stable work or volunteer activities because we want to feel safe. It's a basic human need. So it's a bit challenging for me to think that that this is something, you know, that we're all having to raise awareness about and that there are so many parts of our community that aren't feeling that same experience, that aren't accorded that that same what you would you feel like is just a I don't know. It just should be something that everyone should get access to. I think safety is a it's a human right and being safe from violence of any form by any person is a basic human right. And it's and that in itself is reflected in the United Nations convention. One of the conventions in relation to the elimination of violence against women and girls. But it goes it also goes broader than that because it's everybody, everybody has a has as a human right to be safe from violence. Yeah, absolutely. I couldn't agree more. We have this might be a slightly controversial question I guess in a way we there are a lot of awareness days This this is more than an awareness day, but it starts with awareness to those people who would say it's just another bunch of awareness days, what would you say? It is more than just awareness. Although awareness is important, but we are also about activism. So it's not just a glossy magazine or an event, it's our people on the ground being available to speak with about the campaign, and it's about working in partnership with the organisations and the people that I mentioned earlier. That's what activism is. Yeah, it's it's more than just wearing a ribbon. That's right. And that's the first step in making real change, isn't it? I mean, it starts change starts with education. You know, when you know better, you do better. And this campaign plays a huge role in that when it comes to eliminating violence against women and children. And let's. That's right, Kate. And let's not forget, it's not just Bundaberg. So there are the 16 days of activism is an international campaign. So the number the number 16 isn't something that we have that we've put forward and that what we're doing, it's the international program across the world. So and it's always the same days, dates, I should say. So the 25th to the 10th, So the 10th it finishes on Human Rights Day. Yes. So they're always the same dates every single year across the world. Across the world. It's or it's always orange. It's the same colour and it's the only thing that varies across the world is the types of ways that people localise their clubs, localise how they want to have activism and awareness for the campaign. But otherwise it's consistent. So you'll see this in Harvey Bay, you'll see this in Maryborough, you'll see women's clubs, you'll see it in in all of the states across Australia. So locally, nationally, internationally, that's right. Zonta says no to violence against women. Now they say no, because what we know from statistics is when we're talking about physical and or sexual partner violence, one in six women have experienced physical and or sexual violence by a current or previous partner. What we know is that when it comes to sexual violence, one in five women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. Now, what we also want to call out here is that when we're talking about physical sexual partner violence, there is also one in 18 men who are affected and sexual violence, one in 16 men. So whilst we have been talking a lot about saying no to violence against women and so on, to very clearly says, you know, we have honorary men who are part of our membership as well and we welcome them. We want them to be part of this. So it is a bigger story than just violence against women, isn't it? Isn't it, Joe? It is. And you might notice that our language is a little bit different this year because it's violence against women. It's not violence, gender based violence. So gender or gender based is really just looking at violence in a lens that's binary, that's twofold, male and female. So that language is not here this year because there's so many other forms of identity these days that people have and women also and women in particular. So it's become more expansive and more contemporary in the language, which I'm really pleased to see. And you're right, it's not just women. All violence is unacceptable. It just happens to be the case that women are overrepresented in violence. The other thing is that you might notice that the language is also it's violence. It's not domestic and family violence. So it's also been broadened this year as well, which I think is important. The rights of women who also have a disability are significantly higher than women without a disability. And the Disability Royal Commission, which has just released its final report, lays bare the stories and the experiences of women with a disability. With respect to violence and exploitation, etc.. So the language is a little nuanced this year and I think that's important because it isn't just gender based violence, domestic and family violence. It's broader than that. Yeah, and I love that that contemporary use of language because it's so important. It is an organisation been around for over 35 years and continuing to remain relevant to the community and in the offerings. I guess in that awareness raising that you're that you're offering within the community. Now, Joe, we can see how incredibly passionate you are about this particular topic. We know what an amazing an amazing array of things and contributions you do within our community. And we feel incredibly fortunate that you've made the time to be with us today. And we're taking you away from another job that's incredibly important to you. More of Joe. Joe with her community head on and you can probably hear those who are listening to this particular podcast, the amazing, incredible passion in her voice, particularly around this area. But Joe, tell us more about you and the work that you do and the many hats that you wear within our community. Well, probably the thing that gets me out of bed and going every morning is the voluntary work I do in the community with respect to pro-bono legal clinics for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. What I saw during COVID were people coming to the soup kitchen to get a meal who were saying that there were so many barriers and obstacles in relation to their justice matter, their criminal matter, in terms of getting well. The courts were locked down at the time, so most things were digital. And if you don't have an address for which you can receive, you know, papers be served with papers, you're at an enormous disadvantage. And I would hear people say, it's just too hard. It's just too hard. I'm just going to plead guilty. And I thought, what can I do? So I had a talk to the team at the soup kitchen, which is where I was volunteering. And I said, Why don't I just get a table, a chair, and let's just see if anyone wants to get some legal advice and I'll just sit myself there on a Saturday afternoon for a couple of hours and we'll see what happens. So the first the first afternoon that I did it, nobody came. I thought, that's okay, that's alright. Maybe, maybe, maybe there isn't a need for this. I've ended it the next Saturday and people were starting to have a little look. Okay. What's she doing over there? okay. You've got that as a resource there. Fast track. 18 months later, we now have three outreach clinics across Bundaberg which are staffed by volunteer lawyers and law students. We've never had to advertise. It's all word of mouth and we provide assistance to people who fall through the cracks. So these are people in our community who are unable to afford a private lawyer. They are ineligible for legal aid because it's a common it's a common misunderstanding that legal aid will cover everything but it doesn't. It doesn't. But they have they have a vital role and they do a great job, but they don't cover everything. First of all, you have to be means tested and secondly, merit tested. So the matter has to be one that actually falls within the the type that legal aid will cover. The other the other group that that we assist are those that might have had their legal aid application rejected. And then there's people who have put in a legal aid application. But their court matter is on too quick and they need they need to know what to do when they get to court because they haven't yet got a decision on their legal aid application. So it's a particular section of the community which is not serviced at the moment. The other thing that makes us different is that our service is brought to the people. So it's not a corporate outfit where people might feel stigma or judgment. They don't come to us and have to fill out a form, for example, or speak to a receptionist and get triaged. They're not time limited. They can come as many times as they want and we're co-located where they already come to and they feel safe. So for example, at the soup kitchen and at Angels, they're already they're receiving other wraparound services and support where there at particular times. And if they want to come and get legal advice, they just walk in. So it's that's what gets me up and going every day because it's incredibly it's is rewarding, but it's also a privilege to be able to assist people who otherwise would not be able to get any assistance whatsoever. And that's an injustice. It really is. It benefits everybody in the community if everybody has a right to a fair trial, a fair hearing, the opportunity to raise a defence, it serves all of us as a whole. If that's achieved, what an inspiration. We were just talking about inspirational people. We have one right in front of us. I feel a little bit emotional after that, if I'm honest. Yeah, it's, you know, volunteer board member, lawyer. But working in a pro-bono capacity identified a need entrepreneurial spirit in going, I see there's a need here. I'm going to put my entrepreneur hat on now and start a legal business within 18 months. You now have three different sites. The need is so great. Congratulations, Joe. Love it. You are an inspiration in our community. The contribution that you make in the many hats that you wear. And we do thank you for your contribution. You're an amazing lady and an inspiration to to all of us. So we haven't mentioned straight law and the amazing work that you do and the company that you founded over two years ago, but 18 months, 18 months ago now, Can I just ask, so is what you do predominantly criminal law or do you anything? Everything. Everything okay, so so let's let's talk a little bit about street law. Now, Street law also has graduates or lawyers who are training training law students, let's call them. Has that, Kate? That was a bit of a bumble, wasn't it? But let's say a law student and you have a you have a you have a great relationship with locally secure university That's. Tell us about that relationship that you have with them and how that actually works, because we might have some budding law students or some law students who are listening who would also like to be involved in street law. How could they how could they get involved? Well, they can make contact with us. We have a website and social media platforms. The arrangement with CQ is that they put out a call for an expression of interest for students who want to volunteer, and then they can provide us with their student details. They résumé their interest, and that's one way that they can volunteer. Next week I'll be meeting more formally with CQ to establish internship programs, student placements and those type of things, which will be terrific, which will be wonderful for Bundaberg. And from when I started this, two of these students have now graduated and have become lawyers and have got employment here in private law firms and they still don't volunteer their time for straight law, which is really special. So special is quite incredible. Just wonderful really is one of the things that I think benefits all lawyers and law students who do, who volunteer pro-bono work is it makes them it makes them better lawyers, more well-rounded lawyers. It it is still the case that a lot of lawyers come from privilege. It's still the case. You know, that's just generally speaking, obviously, there's lots of exceptions, but it is still the case that you need to have a very high ATAR to get into it into law. And you do tend to have lawyers that go straight into particular types of areas of law. And you get on this trajectory of aspiring to become a partner, you're working, you know, billable hours, etc.. But there's also a role to play for pro-bono work. And if you're a lawyer who can be able to give back to people who would suffer an injustice otherwise is important. There's also other skills that lawyers learn in a pro-bono environment, and that is many people who come to a legal clinic, a pro-bono legal clinic. They have a multitude of problems. So it takes patience and it takes a skill set to listen and to delineate what might be the legal problem or what other issues there are that we might be able to support them with. So you don't get that in law firms because that's not the business model. So it's very different, but they're very skills and having that, having that time, like what I'm hearing is there's billable hours in, in a law firm you constantly, you know having to record those hours whereas this actually provides the opportunity to listen to space, to be able to dig in and really understand how you can actually provide value to that person. It sounds a lot more person centered rather than just getting people through as fast as you can. Very much so. The model that we have here in Bundaberg is unique for the reasons that I've mentioned and I hope that we never change because those values and those core reasons why we set it up in the first place really need to remain so. Street We can find you if we Google you or what's the best way to learn more about Street law. Street Law is a program of Wide Bay advocacy. So Wide Bay advocacy in terms of legal structures is a registered charity, not for profit. So that's the legal entity. And then Bundaberg Street Law is a program beautiful that you offer within that. That's right. So the goal moving forward is to expand and have further programs, not just entrepreneurial, entrepreneurial mindset coming through. Again, love that growth. That's amazing. Jo Wonderful. So just to recap again, what's the best way that people can get involved with the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to eliminate Violence against Women? Well, we still have many events and activities to go with the campaign, so it's as simple as either turning up at some of the events which are listed in the program. The program is available on the Zonta Club of Bundaberg Facebook page. People who are interested in knowing more about the global campaign can have a look at the Zonta international website and the Bundaberg Club itself is on a number of social media platforms. So Facebook, as I've mentioned, Instagram and the like. Okay, wonderful. And in the next week or so that we've got left of the campaign, is there a standout event for you? I think Friday, the 8th of December. I'm really looking forward to the day of community. So that will be in Bus Park and everybody is welcome. It's a, it's a free and a public event. We will have a coffee van kindly provided by the Rotary Club of Bundaberg, So we'll have free coffees, free hot beverages and we'll have representatives from a number of community organisations in Bus Park who will be present and available for people to come and have a talk with so that includes eight on place, Phoenix House. I'll be there for Street Law, IMPACT will be there. Pearson Services, Life Education It's going to be wonderful. It's going to be fantastic. That sounds great. Well, I'll be making sure that I make my way down. If it isn't one of my work days. I'm sure you've all been to Tanya. Yeah, absolutely. No, we're in. So we were very excited to be approached and to be invited to be part of it. So fantastic. And if people would like to find out more about Zonta, how can they go about doing that to the website or social media platforms? Zonta Club of Bundaberg Perfect. So what we'll be doing is we'll make sure that we drop those links into the comments for the campaign and also for Zonta. So if you'd like more information, make sure that you have a look in the comments. Wow thank you Joe. Your welcome. It was so lovely to catch up with you again, but also learn more about the work that Zonta is doing in our community nationally, internationally, through this 16 days of activism, and also to learn more a little bit more about you and the amazing contribution that you're making me think our local community here in Bundaberg and we genuinely thank you for that. Thank you so much for all that you do. Thank you. Thank you for listening to this episode of Stronger Together. Sometimes the issues we discuss in Stronger Together may be triggering for some people. If you've been affected by the topics we have discussed today, please reach out for help. You can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 1114, or you can use the chat option on their website. If you live in the Wide Bay BURNETT region, You can also reach out to us at IMPACT Community, go to impact.org.au and click on the make a referral button at the top if you wish to Self-Refer. We hope you've enjoyed today's episode and if so, please remember to hit the subscribe button. Until next time, remember, we're stronger together.