INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S VOICES AT NATIONAL FORUM

Four of Queensland’s leading Indigenous women will provide a voice for other women when they represent the state at a national forum on family violence this week.

Newly appointed Minister for Women, Linda Lavarch, today announced that the Queensland Government will fund the women to attend the National Indigenous Women’s Gathering in Adelaide on 21-22 September.

“The gathering gives Indigenous women an opportunity to discuss issues impacting on them and their communities with the Ministers for Women from each state and territory,” Mrs Lavarch said.

“Selected from a pool of outstanding applicants, the four Queensland women come from diverse backgrounds and regions and have a range of expertise in domestic and family violence issues in Queensland.

“They include a youth worker, community Elder and grassroots workers against family violence.”

The gathering will form an important part of the current broad, national dialogue on family violence. In total, 32 women from across Australia will attend.

“The theme of this year’s gathering is community-led solutions to family violence – an issue that touches the lives of many Indigenous women in Queensland,” Mrs Lavarch said.

The 2006 Queensland delegates are:

·Ethel Munn, an Elder from Roma in Southwest Queensland

·Daphne Naden, former Program Manager of a regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family violence prevention program in Cairns

·Michelle Cameron, Coordinator of the Yuenmanda Women’s Shelter on Mornington Island

·Sarah Patrick, Indigenous Programs Officer at Speak Out in Brisbane, and advocate for Indigenous youth.

More information about the Indigenous Women’s Gathering, including profiles of the four delegates, can be obtained from the Office for Women’s website: www.women.qld.gov.au.

Media inquiries: Paul Holmes, Linda Lavarch’s office, 3239 6400 or 0407 378 796