I am often struck by the power of a phrase or an expression. Those few words can convey and embody a person’s experience so poignantly at a time in their lives when most words fail. I have worked for a number of years as a caseworker assisting people with complex disabilities, asylum seekers, refugees and […]

Over the last 4 weeks, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to coordinate an Aboriginal Art Workshop with local Aboriginal Artist Danielle Sullivan. The ‘painting group ‘ consisted of both clients and staff and we’ve all been working together for one common goal – to bring our undercover area to life. As it turned out though, […]

In my work environment, I see gender stereotyping all the time. I see this in the way the children dress and the games they play. I see it in the roles they believe their parents are required or designed to do. I often get told that mothers do the cooking and cleaning, or look after […]

I remember my first client really clearly. It was a difficult case for someone like me, just starting out but it was a good outcome. And that was so motivating. It was like, ‘Yes, I can do this!’ I really wanted to work in this field and it gave me hope about what we could […]

Dixie Link-Gordon, a prominent figure in the Indigenous Women’s Rights sector and a domestic violence educator, photo by Dean Golja “National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Reconciliation must […]

I started at Bonnie Support Services as a Family Worker a few weeks ago so I’m new to this organisation. I’m not new to this work though. I have worked as a social worker with families in a range of services including Family and Community Services, Benevolent Society and Marist 180. I have worked with […]

While living in a multicultural area can be enriching and lively, it can also be isolating for many women. Language can often be a barrier to establishing new relationships and friendships. Here at Bonnie’s, we noticed that in our local area of Liverpool, women needed more supported opportunities to get together and get to know […]

For the past two years, on Tuesday mornings, the cozy and light-filled lounge room at Bonnie’s has been transformed into an art studio, where women have been coming together to create, connect and heal (not to mention talk, laugh and cry!). Our Creative Group is facilitated by myself and Ruth, from Rosebank Child Sexual Abuse […]

In my day-to-day work at Bonnies, it’s such a privilege to get to know people from all walks of life. Every day I am surprised by their stories, their life experiences, the way they think, their skills and talents. It’s so easy to make assumptions about people. We live in a world where we are […]

I’ve been working with families in crisis for about six years now, two of those at Bonnie’s. Basically, I work with our mums. When families first come to us, there’s always a lot to sort out. I’ll help with going to the police, getting Mum to family lawyers or supporting her with immigration. Mum is […]

I recently watched a TED Talk by an Australian woman called Khadija Gbla, who had her clitoris cut out with a rusty knife at the age of three. Khadija and her family were refugees, fleeing Sierra Leone. Her mother thought she was empowering her daughter by freeing her from sexual desire. Khadija’s talk, which she […]

A few years ago I wrote a blog post about my experience of being a caseworker again – even though it was only for a few hours. It was a powerful experience for me and I was struck by how easy it is to lose touch with the rawness of the work, when we’re in […]