Thelma Schwartz’s hands were shaking when she accepted the Dame Quentin Bryce Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate Award and they have shaken before – not due to nerves but fear.
The Principal Legal Officer at Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) championed social justice and equity at yesterday’s Legal Profession Breakfast fundraiser for the Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
Thelma spoke not only of her proud First Nations heritage and culture, but spoke her truth.
Thelma receiving the award at Brisbane City Hall.
“I remain steadfastly committed to hearing, seeing and elevating the voice of victim-survivors with a particular focus on First Nations Queenslanders,” she told the captivated audience.
“I know what it is like – I have been a child victim-survivor of family violence myself. I grew up in it.
“I used to shake. My hands would shake and that only stopped after completing my law degree and that was from the trauma of witnessing what occurred in my household. That violence was perpetrated by my father against my mother.
“I am oldest of two younger sisters, Amanda and Florence, and as the eldest child it was my responsibility to hide my sisters which I always did,” she said. “But instead of listening to my mother and hide myself I would be back out there trying to defend my mother from my father, and in the process also becoming a victim myself.
“My mother, sisters and I only became free from this violence when I completed my law degree and stood up to my father. I finally had the truth and courage to do it.”
And the Cairns-based solicitor has demonstrated her courage and commitment by helping others. Thelma has been a member of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, chaired by the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC.
Thelma addressing the City Hall audience.
The taskforce heard from women and girls across Queensland contributing to the Hear Her Voice reports which resulted in multiple recommendations addressing coercive control and consent.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have had this opportunity to work alongside you Margaret and the other members of the taskforce,” she said. “I am in absolute admiration and awe of your tirelessness, fearlessness, tenacity and ability to cut through to the core issues with such surgical skill and precision.”
Thelma also thanked her CEO Wynetta Dewis, who also attended the event along with award finalist and QIFVLS Deputy Principal Legal Officer Leah King and Deputy Principal Legal Officer Brandon Begley.
“I am in awe of Wynetta’s courage, integrity, drive and absolute commitment to being able to deliver solutions and programs that are tailored by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Thelma said.
Thelma and award finalist Leah King had strong
support from QIFVLS colleagues.
“I first joined QIFVLS in 2015 and have known Wynetta since that time. Thank you Wynetta for giving me the room to grow into my full leadership potential.”
However Thelma acknowledges there is more work to be done.
“It is not lost on me though that three in five First Nations women have experienced physical or sexual violence. This speaks to the crisis we witness as a family violence prevention legal service daily across our offices in Queensland.
“We also understand from Queensland Government data that up to 60 per cent of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in youth detention have experienced or been impacted by domestic and family violence.
“It is even more harrowing when the national data is considered.”
Thelma paid tribute to her elders and family, and shared her culture name Sineubeu which translates to ‘My girl’, ‘Our Girl’ and ‘Our daughter’. She wore a treasured family necklace as a sign of cultural authority.
“My mother has permitted me to wear this today given the significance of this award and to signify it is my time to stand true in my cultural authority as my peoples’ daughter and hope for the future.”
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