Individual Award
The Individual Award recognises individuals whose work has contributed to the prevention of domestic and family violence.
Winner: Sister Carolyn Steiner (founder of the Beenleigh Domestic Violence Assistance Program)
Sister Carolyn is dedicated to assisting women and children to achieve safety and has a long history of working tirelessly with women's refuges in Queensland and helping women affected by domestic and family violence understand the legal system. She has empowered many hundreds of women who have experienced domestic and family violence to improve the quality of their lives and escape the cycle of violence.
Over the past 15 years, Sister Carolyn has dedicated her time into establishing and coordinating the Beenleigh Domestic Violence Assistance Program.
Working primarily as a volunteer, Sister Carolyn enlisted the assistance of community members and organisations and developed a professional domestic and family violence court support program that provided assistance and support services to hundreds of women experiencing domestic and family violence.
Sister Carolyn provided front line court advocacy and support, developed networks that advocated for women experiencing domestic and family violence and coordinated the service provision of both paid and volunteer staff at the Beenleigh Domestic Violence Assistance Program.
Sister Carolyn continued to develop best professional practice, assisting women affected by domestic and family violence to write their applications for Protection Orders, access court assistance, advocacy and ongoing support.
Sister Carolyn has worked tirelessly networking and maintaining good relationships with service providers who provide specialised services for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Well known and respected, Sister Carolyn has made a vital contribution to preventing domestic and family violence and improving the quality of people's lives in Beenleigh, Logan and surrounding communities.
Sister Carolyn is an outstanding member of the community, and has demonstrated leadership, courage and strength in helping women and children to live safer lives.
Highly Commended: Dawn Anthonysz for SCOPE Quilting Project
Dawn Anthonsyz is the coordinator of the SCOPE Quilting Project, which is a therapeutic healing medium for women and children affected by domestic violence.
A group of volunteers create handmade quilts which are distributed by SCOPE Domestic and Family Violence Service to women's shelters on the Sunshine Coast to promote the message that the community cares about the victims of family violence.
Through her efforts, Ms Anthonysz has raised awareness and educated community groups and individuals about the need to prevent domestic and family violence within the community.