Nominations are now open for the 2024 Annual Alison Woolla Memorial Award for Local Leadership in Preventing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
There are two categories to enter:
- Category one is specifically for local government, mayors, elected members, CEOs and council officers only. This category provides an opportunity for LGAQ members to share and showcase their leadership in championing the prevention of DFV. The winner will receive a trophy commemorating their win. No bursary will be awarded in this category.
- Category two provides the opportunity for community-based individuals in a paid or volunteer capacity to be recognised for their contribution to the prevention of DFV through place-based activities and/or support provided to people who are escaping or have lived experience of DFV. The winner of category two will receive a $5,000 bursary to be used to continue their work in preventing and/or raising awareness of DFV. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for further information.
All entries are to be emailed to AlisonWoollaAward@lgaq.asn.au or posted to LGAQ PO Box 2230, Fortitude Valley BC QLD 4006 by 11:59pm Friday 13 September 2024.
Enter now
Past bursary winners
2023: Redland City Council and Ben Bjarnensen
Pictured: Former LGAQ President Mark Jamieson presenting Alison Woolla Award to Redland City Council
Redland City Council and LGBTQ+ advocate Ben Bjarnesen were awarded the 2023 Alison Woolla Memorial Award.
Redland City Council was recognised for its strong advocacy, including raising awareness and funds for domestic violence services. Key achievements included expanding the Maybanke crisis accommodation complex and pioneering workplace support strategies for employees affected by DFV.
Pictured: LGAQ Chief Executive Office Alison Smith presenting Alison Woolla Award to Ben Bjarnesen
Ben Bjarnesen, a former police officer and founder of the LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation, was honoured in the community category for his advocacy for improved services for LGBTQ+ individuals, including founding the LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day, now recognised in 17 countries.
2022: Kellie Bowie
Townsville woman Kellie Bowie opened her home to the LGBTIQ+ community for emergency housing won the third annual $5,000 Alison Woolla Memorial Award for local leadership in preventing domestic and family violence.
Kellie provided 24-hour support, emergency accommodation and a safe space for members of the LGBTIQ+ communities to access in times of need.
Kellie said she received calls from community members in desperate situations with nowhere else to go—whether it be as a result of relationship breakdown or young people rejected by their parents.
She said while community attitudes were changing to domestic and family violence prevention, “there’s a lot more to be done”.
Pictured: Former Redlands City Council Mayor Karen Williams presents the Award to Kellie Bowie
About the award
Started in 2020, the award recognizes anti-violence leadership in Queensland, honouring the legacy of Alison Woolla, a pioneering former Mayor of Aurukun Aboriginal Shire Council.
Alison Woolla, the town’s first female mayor, served from 1983 to 1985 and 1991 to 1994, and was instrumental in establishing a women’s shelter in her community. Beyond advocacy, she opened her own home to individuals fleeing violence, making it a sanctuary in Aurukun. Through her compassion, Alison’s home became a sanctuary for those in the Aurukun community whose own homes were not always safe.
Her daughter, former Aurukun Shire Mayor Keri Tamwoy, said her mother raised her and her five siblings by herself, and often provided a safe haven for victims of abuse.
"The police would come at any hour of the day or night," she said.
"They would drop off victims of domestic violence at my mum's house because that was the only safe place the women knew of and they would always ask the police: 'Drop us off at Alison's house'.
"Mum always welcomed these ladies. She'd wake myself and my two younger sisters up in the middle of the night and ask us, 'Hey come and make a bed up'."
Alison was also an advocate of educating the perpetrators of domestic violence, talking to them—without shaming or belittling them—when they would show up looking for their wives and partners and encouraging them to change.