WIRE Women's Information Annual Report 2015

AnnualReport2015WIREWOMEN’SINFORMATION

2. Our vision 3. Chair’s message 4. CEO’s message6. 2014/15 Highlights 8. Listening to and supporting women:

enabling options and choices12. Empowering women to take control of

their own lives: building skills andpathways

14. Amplifying women’s voices and creatingsocial change

19. Training women to support other women20. Our Team20. Our funders, partners and supporters26. Financials28. Become a WIRE Champion!

contents

creditsEDITOR Mi Fon Lew WIRE Communication CoordinatorDESIGN & PRODUCTION Lin Tobias LA BELLA DESIGN ADDITIONAL DESIGN Lorna Hendry TEXT & TYPEPRINT Impact Digital, Brunswick on 100% recycled Australian made papers

EDITION 200 units October 2015Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc. Reg. No. A122 ABN 98 957 157 895 WIRE Women’s Information ©2015

2 | WIRE ANNUAL REPORT 2015

OUR PRINCIPLES1. We are a proud feminist organisation

2. We are women supporting women

3. We are guided by the needs and aspirations of women

4. We value the lived experiences ofwomen

5. Women are resilient, resourceful andexperts in their own lives

6. We act with respect, integrity, fairnessand transparency

7. We work collaboratively

8. We value diversity

9. We use our expertise to effect meaningful change

10. Our research and advocacy are drivenby the stories of women

WE ACHIEVE OUR VISION BY:• Listening to and amplifying the voicesof women

• Identifying and working to eliminategender bias and gender discrimination

• Providing support and information toassist women to make informed choices

• Providing women with tools and education to rebuild their lives

• Having strong and ethical governanceenabling long-term sustainability

• Living our principles in our daily practiceas an organisation and as individuals

Our vision A society where women are safe, respected,valued, informed, empowered and free to make genuinechoices in their lives.

WIREWomen empoweringwomen to reach theirtrue potential


“I’m able to go forward with purpose, and not alone.”


Chair’s messageIngrid Wilson

It is with great pleasure that I write my first report as Chair of WIRE. I am proudand honoured to lead an organisation that plays such a significant role in the livesof Victorian women.

Our past year has been filled with much change and many achievements. I wish tofirstly acknowledge and thank the outgoing Chair Anne Smyth and CEO SamiroDouglas.

We are delighted to welcome Rachael Bausor who joined WIRE as our new CEOin May 2015. Rachael has a strong commitment to women’s empowerment and brings strong leadership and fresh perspectives from her experience in adult education and in the private sector. In a short time, Rachael has led us in strengthening our organisation and developing our new vision. We look forward to an exciting time ahead.

I wish to especially thank the dedicated staff and volunteers for WIRE’s many achievements in the past 12 months. As the only generalist women’s service in Victoria, WIRE plays an important role as a gateway service, listening and responding to women’s needs, while recognising that they are the experts in their own lives. Last year, thousands ofwomen received support through our Women’s Support Line and drop-in centre, and built their skills and connectionsthrough our many programs.

It has been an important year for organisations such as WIRE who hear firsthand women’s stories as they navigate the complexity of their lives. For many women who contact us, family violence is a lived reality. Our staff and volunteersprovide vital support and referrals for the related issues they often face, such as homelessness, financial abuse and access to legal advice. We are glad that family violence has become a major part of public discourse and we commendthe Victorian Government for appointing the first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence the Hon. Fiona Richardson MP, and the establishment of the Royal Commission into the Prevention of Family Violence. I thank our DeputyCEO Julie Kun for presenting WIRE’s groundbreaking research on women’s experience of financial abuse to the Commission. This vital advocacy work allows WIRE to amplify the voices of Victorian women on critical and emerging issues, to enable broader, systemic change.

Women’s financial empowerment continues to be a strong focus of WIRE. I am proud of our leadership in this importantspace with ongoing projects that will give women tools and strategies to have safe money conversations with theirpartners. I thank our project funders for their support.

We are grateful for the Victorian Government’s continued support of WIRE and pay tribute to all our donors, members,sponsors and partners – you make possible everything we do for the women of Victoria.

Finally, I wish to thank my fellow board members for their passion and commitment in providing solid governance forWIRE, and to thank Nicole Lynch for her contributions – Nicole stepped down from the board this year. As volunteersand women, we know and live the challenges that women face, and take pride in being a model of strong and ethicalgovernance for women’s organisations. I take the opportunity to thank the Victorian Government and the Australian Institute of Company Directors for supporting women’s governance in the not-for-profit sector and for awarding me aWomen’s Governance Scholarship.

We are excited about the new perspectives and opportunities for the future that change brings. I look forward to working with you all to bring joy, humour and celebration to what WIRE does best – making a real difference in women’slives by empowering them to reach their true potential.

Farewell Anne SmythAnne Smyth stepped down as Chair of the WIRE Board in 2014 after six years

as Chair and a total of nine years on the Board. Over this time, Anne built astrongly engaged board and strengthened WIRE's sustainability through carefulbalancing of strategic risk with courageous action. We wish Anne well as she

continues to drive good governance through taking up new opportunities.


CEO’s messageRachael Bausor

I don’t think I can truly convey to you what a privilege it is to be leading such a remarkable organisation. WIRE is unique in Victoria as the state’s only free generalsupport service run by women for women, providing information, support and referral to any woman on any issue. WIRE puts the stories of individual women atthe heart of everything we do, and it’s a service I am immensely proud to be part of.

WIRE celebrated 30 years last year, having been founded as a feminist collectivein 1984. We were born out of the need to provide service and support for women

in a different way – the WIRE way. That need still exists today. The need for women’s voices to be heard, and their resilience acknowledged. The need for their strengths to be reflected back to them, when so many women are unaccustomed to recognising their own remarkable achievements. The need for guidance and information about thecomplex range of services available to women to support them in their journey toward taking control of their own lives.

I’ve heard it said many times, “once a WIRE woman, always a WIRE woman”. Since starting here at WIRE in May 2015,I have been amazed by the capability and commitment of our team – our staff and our volunteers. I consider myself fortunate to work with such fabulous staff, who are without exception dedicated and capable women. For such a smallteam, WIRE has a great impact on the lives of Victorian women and an outstanding reputation. That reputation is adirect reflection of the calibre of our staff and I thank every WIRE woman for her contribution.

I’d also like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers. They are an exceptional group of women, and WIRE couldn’t dowhat we do without them. Their generosity of spirit has changed the lives of countless women over the years, and weall share the same passion to make WIRE’s vision a reality. I give particular thanks to the members of our Board fortheir contribution and guidance. I would personally also like to thank our Chair Ingrid Wilson for her support in my roleas a new CEO.

The future for WIRE is exciting and challenging. There are challenges ahead in the work that we do, confronting andaddressing women’s everyday experiences of gender inequality. Often the consequences of that inequality are shockingand distressing; but sometimes the consequences are not as easy to identify. Systemic problems become manifest forindividual women as personal problems, and we witness that every day. WIRE has an important role to play in identifyingthe systemic issues that Victorian women face, and researching and advocating for change. There are also challengesahead in how we work, as we respond to the needs of Victorian women and ensure that we remain accessible, relevantand effective.

One of WIRE’s guiding principles is that we are guided by the stories of the women who contact us. My message toWIRE women is that we hear your voice. Whether you’re a staff member who has a great new idea; a volunteer whowants to change the world; a member who wants to support women who are facing difficult decisions; a caller whodoesn’t know if she’ll be believed; or a visitor who doesn’t know what else she can try. We hear your voices. And wewill act on what we hear, taking your voices to government, to the wider community, to other organisations, and into thework that we do.

I look forward to what we will achieve as a team – staff, volunteers, members and supporters – in the year ahead. I lookforward to the journey as much as the destination – a journey with a team of women who share humour, warmth, joyand passion. Women who are working towards a safer, more equitable, fairer society for all. Women who share a vision.WIRE women.

Farewell Samiro Douglas In February 2015, we farewelled Samiro Douglas, who stepped down as WIRE’s

CEO after 12 years at the helm. Samiro ensured that WIRE’s feminist model of support continued to be embedded in our service delivery and practice, andsustainably expanded WIRE’s programs to empower women. Samiro strongly

advocated women’s economic empowerment through WIRE’s research focus onfinancial literacy. We thank Samiro for her significant contribution and wish

her the very best for her future.


2014/15 Highlights

11,098

5,859

Women’s Support Line (5,474) 49%

Walk-in Centre (3,610) 33%

Online support (1,039) 9.4%

Education, clinics and coaching (975) 8.7%

7,167We gave 7,167 referrals to women

35% to WIRE servicesand programs

Support service 30%Information and resources 26%

Legal programs 16%Employment programs 12%

AMICA program 9%ICT programs 7%

65% to external services:

21% Family violence 17% Legal10% Counselling9% Housing 5% Financial38% Other

35% (2,322)Support and other issues

20% (1286)Family Violence

9% (560)Housing issues

10% (654)Legal issues

15% (1006)Employment/education/volunteeering

11% (685)Relationship issues

Our contacts 11,098 contacts,

Why women call 5,859 calls


Our followers

Our members 237

1538 Facebook Likes

1,162 Twitter followers

3,000 e-bulletin subscribers

2 print articles

8 online articles

2 radio interviews

237Our volunteers 104

104

(As of 24 August 2015)

print article online article radio interview

LEGEND

f

54% (2,468)ICT Skills29% (1,328)

Individual support** Includes family violence, legal,relationship and housing issues

15% (1,006)Employment/education/volunteering

Why women visit 4,802 visits

Our online visitors www.wire.org.au

48,742 unique visitors12,412 downloads of resources & programs

4,802

Our voice in the media

http://www.wire.org.au


WIRE’smodel of service deliveryin 3 phases

1 2 3“WIRE was able to respond to my emerging needs,which was very powerful.”

“Talking to WIREmade things clearer,confirmed it for me. I know where I'm at.”

“I received affirmationthat what I have beensubjected to is not acceptable; that I am entitled to dignity and respect. So manyother services havepatronized me but you didn't do that.”

Your experiences as awoman are influencedand shaped by a societyand economy that privileges male identityover female identity.

Providing a safe place for women

• Inviting meaningful conversationby giving respect and affirmation

• Listening, validating and identifying initial issues andfeelings

• Reaching a shared understandingand agreement regarding thewoman’s needs and aspirations

You are the expert in your own life and are capable of making decisions about your next step.

Enabling options and choices

• Affirming strengths and abilities

• Summarizing and prioritizingkey issues and feelings

• Discussing next steps andexploring options

Knowledge empowersyou to have genuinechoice and control.

Information and referral

• Providing knowledge so thewoman can make an informeddecision

• Discussing how particular referrals fit within the broaderservice system and any possible issues with accessingreferrals

• Breaking down the isolation – letting the woman know she is not alone in her experience, and that many women have had similar experiences

FEMINIST FRAMEWORK:


Listening to and supporting women: enabling options and choices

Providing a safe place for women WIRE offers women a safe place to share their stories and seek support. You aresupported by women and treated with respect and care – you are listened to andbelieved. No personal details are recorded, and no judgments made.

“Not being patronised or judged is a huge one for me.”Our Women’s Information Centre offers women a safe and welcoming space in thecity for women to drop by – whether you are seeking support, information or usingour free public computer and internet access, printing and scanning facilities andfree wifi.

“I immediately felt welcome; I arrived feeling overwhelmedand lost; now I am feeling ok. I feel empowered with asense of direction and linked to support.”

Different ways to get free support easily Life is unpredictable and you never know when you may need help. Women caneasily access free support and information from WIRE in different ways: by telephone, chatting online, accessing online resources, emailing or visiting us.Whichever way you choose, you will be offered the same level of support.

“I felt supported, respected and validated and I guess, empowered … It was the first time I reached out – a realmake or break time for most people – and it was a reallygood outcome for me.”

BRENDA had become isolated fromher family and friends when shesought justice for a sexual assaultshe had experienced, and this greatlyaffected her mental health. She visited our Women’s InformationCentre over 12 months to use ourpublic computers and internet accessas she found it a safe haven to relaxin, get face-to-face support when she needed it, and become sociallyconnected.

ALICE was being stalked by a man, who parked his car outside her house intermittently over several months. The local police were helpful initially, butstopped supporting Alice after the stalker accused her of harassment when approached by police. She became fearful of going home from work and beingalone at home. She felt very depressed and angry by this man’s impact on her life.

After listening to Alice’s experience, we gave her some legal and counselling referrals and helped her develop a safety plan including the possibility of taking out a personal safety order, keeping a diary and improving her personal security.Alice felt believed and validated and was able to take actions to keep herself safe,and get legal advice and emotional support.

BRENDA

ALICE


Knowledge is power As part of our feminist practice, we pool ideas and work together to research themost practical and relevant referrals and resources for every woman. The referralswe provide to women may be to external services or to our own programs and resources.

“Really pleased to know that there’s a number likeSafeSteps and that WIRE could give it and provide encouragement and information. She [phone worker]tuned into exactly what I was needing and listened. Astute and insightful of her.”As an organisation, we build networks and work with other community servicesand agencies to support and empower women using best practices.

Hearing women’s stories firsthand guides andstrengthens WIRE’s work.

It drives our research into women’s issues, and helps us to developwritten resources to fill knowledge gaps, and programs to meetwomen’s emerging needs. See page 14 for more about our research projects on women and financial abuse.

This information booklet offers women informationon getting legal advice, protecting herself and herchildren, and accessing help and support servicesavailable in Victoria.

1,400 copies given out over 8 months.Funded by the City of Melbourne

Hello [Name of WIC Officer]I’m not sure if you are still working at WIRE, but I’ve been meaning to send youan email for quite some time now. I cannot fully express how helpful and caringyou were last year. I was in a dreadful place and I felt utterly hopeless to thepoint of feeling suicidal. You gave me perspective and hope, without being judgmental or pushy, I felt likeI was a burden on my friends at the time, and I didn’t have many people to talk toabout what I was going through. I was anxious every day, not knowing what kindof violence would ensue in the oncoming hours. Communicating with you gaveme the encouragement that I needed to get my life back, and within that month, I cut ties with my partner completely. It was a long road, but I finally did it.Thank you, once again

A THANK YOU EMAIL


“The staff are respectful,compassionate and understanding and have a sense of urgency.”


Empoweringwomen to take control of their own lives: building skills and pathways

Overcoming structural disadvantagesGender inequality creates barriers for women at work, at home and in the community, and prevents women from participating equally. This diminisheswomen’s ability to build secure financial futures for themselves and their children,and makes them vulnerable to family violence, mental health issues, homelessnessand social isolation.

“Volunteers are very articulate and have a good understanding of issues that women face.”We run programs to help women affirm their existing skills and knowledge, buildtheir confidence and support networks, gain skills and find new pathways to reach their goals.

“If it wasn’t for WIRE, I have no idea what my life would be like without the safety, respect, social connection. WIRE has rebuilt my confidence.”

Homelessness and social isolation

Our AMICA Club offers homeless or isolated women free lunch and weekly creative activities such as art, storytelling and belly dancing workshops, and excursions to museums, galleries and exhibitions. This project is funded by theCity of Melbourne.

“AMICA gives me hope.”“AMICA has been my only social support network

apart from my counsellor and my child… I don’t liketo think what my life would be like without it.”

Every day WIRE challengesthe structural disadvantageswomen face: gender pay gap, pregnancy discrimination, glass ceilings,superannuation gap.

We challenge gender stereotypes of women as nurturers and carers athome and in the community.

We challenge gender stereotypes of men whichfuel men’s belief that they areentitled to control, dominateand be violent against women.

“It was the lifeline I needed.”


Barriers in the workplace

Women seeking employment or exploring new career pathways attend our popular weekly Job Coaching sessions, and regular employment and career workshops.

Last year we partnered with Vocation to run Building Brighter Futures – a 17-week face-to-face employment program for women with disabilities or chronichealth issues.

“Before this course, I didn’t know which way to go and now I know which way I am going and what to do to get there.”

Computer and internet skills

Today, information is literally at your fingertips – but only if you have the skills andtechnology to access it. We offer free public computer and internet access, wifi,printing and scanning facilities, and run small weekly classes to help women improve their computer and internet skills.

Women using our free computer and internet facilities can also get support withchecking emails, connecting with family and friends on social media, seekingwork online or submitting documents online.

“It gets me out of the ‘stuck in the house’ routine whilehelping me learn computer skills and get into a job searchroutine.”Women also use our scanner to scan and store important documents and photosdigitally. Having secure digital access to their own personal documents is especially critical for women who live in insecure or temporary housing, or whoare fleeing family violence.

Getting legal advice

We support women to help them understand their legal rights, responsibilities and entitlements, and assist them to navigate complex legal and court systems.We worked with Inner Melbourne Community Legal to offer free one-on-one legalclinics to women. Lawyers from other firms also volunteer their time and expertise,to run free legal clinics on separation and property issues.

DEBBIE lost her job due to an injuryand needed a year of rehabilitation to become fit for work. She had goodbasic computer skills, but needed support seeking and applying forwork online and addressing selectioncriteria.

We helped Debbie develop her newonline job search skills, and discussedpossible responses to the selectioncriteria for her job applications.

Debbie now feels competent to address selection criteria on her ownand to apply for jobs online.

ELSA fled country Victoria to Melbourne to escape family violence.To avoid facing her husband in court,she had been prepared to walk awaywith nothing. Middle-aged and unemployed with little work experience,Elsa felt overwhelmed and depressedwhen she first visited us.

After getting regular face-to-face support at WIRE and attending ourcomputer tutoring and job coachingsessions over six months, Elsa feltsupported and much more optimisticabout her future. She enrolled in ahospitality course and decided tostart legal proceedings to get a fair division of the family property.

“Because of Building Brighter Futures, I know I can do something if I try.”

ELSA

DEBBIE


Amplifyingwomen’s voices and creating social change

Action research By listening to women’s stories every day, we learn first-hand the critical andemerging issues that women face. We use this insight to identify gaps in currentservices and resources. This first-hand knowledge also directs our research andprogram development and assists us to better meet women’s needs.

Relationship problems and money: Women talk about financial abuse

“Thirteen years in court. I have lost my kids’ childhood because all I am doing is sitting at the computer writing legal documents.” (Susan*, 53, four children, Melbourne)Susan is one of over 200 Victorian women who shared with WIRE their personal experiences of financial abuse, as part of WIRE’s research project on women and financial abuse in the context of family violence: ‘Relationship Problems and Money: Women talk about financial abuse’.

In WIRE’s groundbreaking research report researcher Prue Cameron documents how ex-partners deliberately use the legal, child support and income support systems to cause long-term financial hardship and psychological distress to women and their children, often long after the relationship ends. This abuse can have long-term impacts on women’s employment and housing options, and mental health.

Read WIRE’S recommendations in the full report at www.wire.org.au

The Minister for Community Services, the Hon. Mary Wooldridge, MPlaunched this well-received research report on 26 August 2014 to a 100-strong audience at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services

A complex web of social beliefs and values, gender stereotypes and cultural expectations hid financialabuse in plain sight. Because of this invisibility, it is not identified by the veryinstitutions and professionalsthere to protect women andchildren in this situation.(WIRE researcher Prue Cameron)



Strong Beginnings – Financial equals

“Money represents more than dollars and cents and is frequently used to express feelings in relationships – it canbe given to express love, power and respect or withheld topunish, control or humiliate.”Strong Beginnings – Financial Equals Research Report

This research examined why women often find it difficult to talk about money with their partners. Researcher Sarah Sanders spoke with 30 womenabout their personal experiences, and explored how to make it easier for womento have safe money conversations with their partners. Here are what two focusgroup participants said:

“So it’s just bleeding emotion. It’s impossible to talk abouta bill without bringing in all those other issues. It’s allthere, all behind you.”

“It would be good if there was a resource that showed you that you were within your rights to have that conversation – that even if he storms off, and blows up, it was a reasonable conversation topic.”

A guide on conversation strategies was developed and trialled by 21 women inVictoria. All women who tried at least one strategy found the strategies were effective in helping them engage productively with their partners about money.

Following the success of this initial research, WIRE received further funding todevelop a new website and online resources in 2016 to offer women strategies tohave safe money conversations with their partners.

Funded by a grant from Financial Literacy Australia

Digital storage for vulnerable women

Women experiencing family violence and/or homelessness may find themselves cut off from needed services and information, such as Centrelink,Medicare and the Child Support Agency, because they do not have access totheir important documents.

They may have lost original documents or hard copies as a result of beingconstantly on the move, or having had to leave a family violence situationquickly; or they may not have a safe place to store hard copies. Without access to these documents, these women are also unable to claim their rights or self-advocate.

WIRE ran a small research project to find the easiest and safest ways forthese vulnerable women to store important documents and photos of familyand friends securely online and digitally. A three-hour training course was developed to help women gain the skills, confidence and knowledge to storeimportant documents and memorabilia securely and access them easily.

Funded by a grant from the City of Melbourne


Giving a voice to Victorian women Women are often unseen and unheard. At WIRE, we are in a privileged position toamplify the voices of Victorian women so that they are acknowledged and heard.

Women having their say

Over 40 women attended a booked-out public Q&A session with a panel ofLabor, Liberal and Greens representatives in November 2014. Women raised issues they wanted Victoria’s parliament to address and heard responses fromeach representative. We plan to run similar events for future state and federalelections to engage women with the electoral process so they can make informed choices when voting.

Sharing women’s stories to bring about change

WIRE’s submission and expert testimony to the Victorian Royal Commission intoFamily Violence put the spotlight on financial abuse. Stories of women affected byfinancial abuse resonated with the Royal Commission and community. We call onthe government to implement programs to eradicate all forms of family violence including financial abuse.

Engaging the media

WIRE continues to amplify the voices of women in print, radio and online media.We engaged with the media on important topics such as family violence, financialabuse, and homelessness and getting a fair settlement post separation.

Journalists actively seek WIRE’s expertise to inform policy-makers and the wider community on issues affecting women. Media agencies value WIRE’s authority to speak on behalf of Victorian women, based on the stories women tell us every day and the research we do.


At WIRE we are in a privileged position to amplify the voices of Victorian women so that they are acknowledged and heard.



Trainingwomen to support other women

Volunteer Training Last year over 50 women completed WIRE’s popular 8-week Telephone SupportWorker Course. Here are what some trainees say about the course:

“It is life-changing learning; every woman should do thiscourse.” Yael

“I had access to people I would have never met and a supportive uplifting environment… The diversity of thegroup is an amazing learning experience. People say they are proud of me for doing this, we are making a difference.” Julia

11 volunteers also trained for the role of Team Leader last year and learnt to supervise and support the volunteer team on the Women’s Support Line. We congratulate them and greatly appreciate their contribution in this leadership role.

Professional development & in-house training WIRE’s gendered training expertise is much valued within the community sector.Last year, we delivered specialised training to the Jewish Taskforce on Family Violence and the Infoxchange.

Over 70 community, private and public sector workers attended our popular professional development workshops on Dealing with Challenging Phone Calls.

We continued to run workshops on Understanding Financial Abuse in the contextof Family Violence – the only training available that examines in length women’srelationship with money. Here are what some participants said:

“Very useful and practical.”

“I feel armed with the strategies that I can now put in placeto protect myself.”

“My listeningskills have improved and Iam a lot more self-aware.”Amanda


Rachael Bausor CEO (from 4 May 2015)

Samiro Douglas CEO (until 28 Feb 2015)

Julie Kun Deputy CEO & Business Development Manager

Kate WhitingFinance & Administration Coordinator

Mi Fon LewCommunication Coordinator

Libby JamiesonTraining Coordinator

Sally MarsdenWomen’s Support Line Coordinator

Kate VolardWomen’s Support Line Coordinator;Women’s Support & Information Officer

Shannon SchultzWomen’s Support & Information Officer

Jessica StottWomen’s Support & Information Officer

Moira DarlingWomen’s Support & Information Officer

Anna Andersson AMICA Women’sLunch Club Coordinator; Women’s Support & Information Officer

Jean Russell Project Worker (Community Sector Banking – ‘Womenin Control’ financial workshops) (Sep – Oct 2015)

Prue Cameron Researcher (Relationship problems and money)(until Jul 2014)

Sarah Sanders Researcher (Strong beginnings – financial equals)(Feb – Jul 2015)

Tyrell Heathcote Project Worker (Digital storage for vulnerable women) &Casual Relief Staff

Sayo Fujita Casual Relief Staff

Felicity Ellis Casual Relief Staff

Our Team

Our Board Our Staff

Ingrid Wilson (Chair)

Ronniet Milliken (Deputy Chair)

Wendy Wade (Treasurer)

Ingrid Hering (Secretary)

Amy Cato

Pauline Taylor

Catherine Robson

Lorraine Marvin-Boys

Sarah Nieuwenhuysen

Nicole Lynch (Sep 2015 – Mar 2015)


Our Volunteers

Phone workers and Team Leaders

Adriana Vargas Saenz (T/L)

Alice Parlitsos

Alison Kelly (T/L)

Amanda Nagulendran

Anna Schwager

Audrey Kelly (T/L)

Crina Virgona

Dora Greab

Eleanor Boydell

Elena Leddra

Elizabeth Maddison (T/L)

Felicity Ellis (T/L)

Fiona Waters

Georgia Mornane

Grace Nugent

Heather Smith

Irene Hudspith

Ivana DeSimone (T/L)

Jane Niven

Jane O’Hanlon (T/L)

Jane Webb (T/L)

Jill McDonald (T/L)

Julie Harper (T/L)

Kate Shelton

Kay O'Sullivan

Kristal Allison

Lainy Collins

Leah Zelencich (T/L)

Lisa Silvers

Louise Franklin (T/L)

Lucille Hughes (T/L)

Lucy Bovezza

Megan Rule

Mikayla Disanayake

Montserrat Medina (T/L)

Nadie Jayamanna

Paige Foletta

Philippa Wilson

Rachel Boyce

Rebecca Grinblat (T/L)

Rebecca Lui

Rhianne Cork

Ronnit Schreiber

Samantha Horley

Sayo Fujita (T/L)

Sheryl Furman

Sunita Pamamull

Tyrell Heathcote (T/L)

Wilma Peers

Yoke Fausten

(T/L): Team Leader

Women’s Information Centre and office volunteers

Isabel Zbukvic

Lucille Hughes

Job coaches

Kim Grant

Raelene Campbell

Ros Cathro

Computer tutors

Rosemary Landau

Fatimah Karimi

AMICA Club volunteer

Anjali Sengupta

Legal clinics (pro bono lawyers)

Anna Parker

Elizabeth Hall

Linda Rayment

Seminar presenters

Claire Walczak (Nicholes Family Lawyers)

Ebonny Myers (Australian Retail Credit Association)

Elisa Turco (www.elisaturco.com)

Elsa Markula (Australian Retail Credit Association)

Josick Duhau (Australian Government Department of Human Services)

Katrina Bristow (McKean Park Lawyers)

Rebecca Dahl (Nicholes Family Lawyers)

Sally Nicholes (Nicholes Family Lawyers)

Sheelagh Hegarty

Tricia Hull (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

All persons named here have given writtenpermission to be included in this report.

We also thank all volunteers who are not included in this list.

http://www.elisaturco.com



Our WIRE Women

TYRELL started as a WIRE Volunteer in October 2010 and became Team Leader in December 2011.

Last year Tyrell was Project Workeron ‘Digital Storage for VulnerableWomen’ and now works as a Casual Relief Staff at WIRE.

How did you find out about volunteering at WIRE?I rang WIRE about a friend whose safety I was concerned about, and liked the waythe phone worker responded in a down-to-earth way. I had started a social workcourse and I wanted to do something thatwas tied to that—volunteering at WIREseemed a good combination.

What has your experience at WIREbeen like?It has been much more diverse than Icould have ever imagined. Because of thatI’m much more confident and able to takeon unexpected new situations. While thereis always something new happening in thephone room, there is always a WIREmodel or spirit you can rely on… Always a kind of WIREness you can’t getanywhere else. WIRE’s changed a heap inthe time I’ve been here… It’s like sharing a secret nod when you’ve been a WIREwoman—everyone’s very upbeat abouthaving been part of WIRE and talkingabout it puts a smile on their face.

SAYO became a WIRE Volunteerin June 2011 and started as TeamLeader in December 2013.

In 2014, she started work as a Casual Relief Staff at WIRE and iscurrently in the Women’s SupportLine Coordinator role for fourmonths.

Describe your experience volunteering and working at WIRE.Very rewarding and positive in every way!Really enjoy working with like-mindedwomen. Every shift is quite new and different. And every woman I work withbrings her experience and knowledge tothe table. I find the environment to be really supportive and nurturing.

How has your WIRE experiencechanged your life?I’ve become a much better listener…Everyone’s telling me to stop being acounsellor. They say, “I want to hear youropinion”, because I’m always saying, “How does that make you feel? What doyou think about that?”They say, “But I want to hear what you think!” Well, then I say, “But you’re the expert inyour life!” And I’ve became a lot moreaware of social justice issues relating tofeminism and the community sector.

“It has been muchmore diverse than Icould have imagined” “I’ve become a much

better listener… ”


Our Funders, Partners and Supporters

Funder Department of Health & Human Services – Children, Youth and Families Division

WIRE’s Women’s Support Line and Women’s Information Centre are supported by the Victorian Government.

Members, Donors & Fundraisers We are grateful to all our members and donors who continue to support our workwith Victorian women – on their behalf we would like to say a heartfelt Thank You.We also thank all who helped raise $6,595 for our 2015 WIRE Appeal: Invest in a Woman’s Future.

Special thanks go to Donald Coles for the donation of $10,000.And to two independent fundraisers for WIRE:• Sarah Harrison’s Ladies Longest Lunch raised $590• Gloria Castellucci and Sarah Sullivan’s Women in Tarot Art Exhibitionraised $715

All donations toWIRE will make adifference in the livesof women in Victoria. Thank you!


Partners, project funders and sponsors Annmarie Farrell (Farrell Family Lawyers) for running pro bono legal clinics on separation and property

Anonymous carpenter for donating the art hanging frame for AMICA Club

Australian Department of Social Services for funding our action research project ‘Financial Abuse in the Context of Family Violence Empowering and Informing Women’ and the research report ‘Relationships andMoney: Women talk about financial abuse’

City of Melbourne for funding:• the AMICA Women’s Lunch & Activities Club• the development and printing of new information booklet ‘Family Violence: What you can do for yourself and your family’

• the Digital Storage for Vulnerable Women project • an ICT training program for older women

Elizabeth Hall (Nevett Ford Lawyers) for running pro bono legal clinics on separation and property

Flick Sanitary for provision of sanitary waste disposal services

Garden Organics from the Queen Victoria Market for providing fruit for AMICA Club

GE Capital EMEA Leadership Awards for providing $50,000 USD for WIRE programs in 2015/2016

Hillari Logan for undertaking some needed carpentry work at WIRE

Inner Melbourne Community Legal for running outreach legal clinics

Maddocks for pro bono legal advice

McNamee Foundation Pty Ltd for funding the project ‘New Beginnings: Steps to a more financial future’(2015/2016)

Nicholes Family Lawyers for sponsoring our information seminars (July 2014 – June 2015)

Swisse for their donation of a vanload of shampoo, conditioner, handsoap and handcream

Victoria Golf Club for funding our employment workshops for women.

WIRE’s 30th Birthday Celebrations on 29 August

Thank you to our kind sponsors:

Berth Restaurant for the venue and catering

Monica Dullard as MC and comedian

Natasha York as DJ and singer, and providing sound equipment

Ross MacInnes for photography

Hotham Street Ladies for our birthday cake

Raffle Prizes:• Aqua Hairdressing • Blues Train • Cargo Restaurant & Bar• Club Voltaire • Luna Natural Therapies • Lush • Whiskas

Lori Marvin-Boys WIRE Board Member for her tremendous support with getting sponsors.


Financials


Become a WIRE champion!Do you want to work towards a society where all women are safe, respectedand able to reach their true potential? Are you passionate about supportingand empowering women? Then become a WIRE Champion!

Volunteer on Women’s Support Line• Are you over 21 years old with good

communication skills and open to diversity?• Will you volunteer on weekly shifts during

business hours for at least a year?

Volunteer in our Women’s Support Line by completingan 8-week Telephone Support Worker Training. Call 1300 134 130 for details and to attend ournext information session.

Volunteer in other waysShare your professional expertise by helping to run our women’s employment programs, creativeworkshops, or present seminars on women’s topics. Interested? Email your professional details and area of interest to [email protected]

Become a memberJoin our growing WIRE community by becoming amember. For only $50 or $25 (concession) per year,you will help support Victorian women, be invited toWIRE networking events including our Annual General Meeting and Dinner, and receive a members-only newsletter.Join online www.wire.org.au or call Kate Whiting(03) 9348 9416 (# 6).

DonateYour donations will help us extend our services andprograms to support women in Victoria. Whether youdonate monthly or just once, your contribution willmake a real difference in other women’s lives.Donate online at www.wire.org.auor call Kate Whiting (03) 9348 9416 (# 6).Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc. is a registered Public Benevolent Institution. All donations above $2.00 to WIRE are tax-deductible under section 78(4) of the Income Tax Assessment Act(1936).

Leave a gift in your willLeaving a gift in your will for WIRE will support futuregenerations of Victorian women. Every bequest bigor small will go a long way towards empowering thewomen in your community. To find out more, call Kate Whiting (03) 9348 9416(# 6) or email [email protected]

Sponsor Your organisation can play an important communityrole by sponsoring our women’s programs, research projects and publications, or improving ourfacilities. To find out more, call Julie Kun on (03) 9348 9416(# 8) or email [email protected]

Stay connected!Keep up with the latest news, views and events at WIRE:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WIREwomensinformationTwitter https://twitter.com/WIREwomensinfoSubscribe to our fortnightly e-bulletin at www.wire.org.au


mailto:[email protected]





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Become a WIREchampion!

WIREWOMEN’SINFORMATIONContact us about anythingFree support, information and programs for women in Victoria.Call Women’s Support Line 1300 134 130 weekdays 9am – 5pmDrop in Women’s Information Centre 372 Spencer St, West Melbourne weekdays 9.30am – 4.30pmEmail [email protected] online www.wire.org.au



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WIRE Women's Information Annual Report 2015

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