CQU Mackay’s Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (CDFVR) is celebrating its association with two awards presented by the State’s Minister for Women, the Honourable Desley Boyle, during a function at Parliament House on Tuesday (May 24).

The Minister presented Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Awards in five categories to recognise and reward the work of individuals and organisations striving to end domestic and family violence.

Heather Nancarrow, Director of CDFVR, received the individual domestic and family violence prevention award in recognition of her more than two decades of work to end such violence.

Prior to commencing work as the Centre’s Director in January 2003, Heather worked in government policy agencies where her tasks included administration of the State’s domestic and family violence legislation, and co-ordination of domestic and family violence policy and programs.

Her work in the public sector followed a decade of work in establishing services to respond to domestic violence, in community agencies providing direct support to women and children affected by domestic violence, and co-ordinating statewide community education on the issue.

The winner of the School-based Prevention Initiatives category was the project 'Koora the Kangaroo: Violence Prevention at Woorabinda State School', which was developed and implemented as the result of collaboration between Mrs Ailsa Weazel of Woorabinda, the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, and the Woorabinda State School.

Michelle Bradford, the Centre’s Education Officer and primary collaborator on the project with Mrs Weazel and the Woorabinda State School said: “The Koora program is an example of the potential for cross-cultural partnerships between the University, government and community. The real value of these awards is that they encourage perseverance and highlight good practice models for others to adopt or build upon for violence prevention in their own communities”. The other three categories for which awards were presented were: Partnerships; Government Initiatives; and Community Organisation Initiatives. Further details about the awards will be provided in CDFVR's forthcoming June newsletter.

Photo: Heather Nancarrow (far left) with her award for the Individual category; next to her is Amy O'Farrell, representing the Woorabinda State School; Ailsa Weazel who conceived Koora; and Michelle Bradford, the Centre's Education Officer. Ailsa is holding the award for the School-based Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Initiative.