MEDIA RELEASE
Inspirational Carla The achievements and contributions of women in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, were celebrated today in a special International Women’s Day ceremony held at the City of Greater Dandenong Chambers. Over 100 people (including her brave young son and two sisters) witnessed past Windermere client, Carla Gagliardi, named as Inspirational Woman of the Year. The event is run by Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE), together with the City of Greater Dandenong, Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Service, Rotary and Bentleigh Secondary College. Carla was nominated by Windermere case managers Belinda Dennis and Rhonda Mason, who saw first hand her incredible strength and true courage; her story is a remarkable one. Carla was your typical mother, working full time in a good job and paying off a mortgage. But in 2012, her former fiancé, plagued by a gambling addiction and serious debt, attacked her, beating her and leaving her to die on the kitchen floor. Her eight year old son was watching. Days later, critically injured and comatose, her condition had worsened and her family were called to the hospital to say goodbye. But Carla refused to give up. She began the slow road to recovery, however her physical injuries had left her unable to work and provide adequately for her son. Unable to make the repayments, Carla was soon forced to sell her home; it was then she was put in contact with Windermere Child & Family Services. Windermere gave Carla access to temporary housing and critical financial and emotional support and counselling for her and her son. “Windermere provided my son and I with a roof over our heads, time for me to get back onto to my feet and recover. The bills were all paid for by Windermere, a relief when I had absolutely nothing,” said Carla. Since her recovery Carla has battled for a law change, giving victims the right to name attackers who breach intervention orders, without having to get a court order first. In August 2014 she received the heart stopping call from Attorney-General Robert Clark, giving her the news of the Government’s backing and the law reform she so passionately fought for, for so long. “International Women’s day is an excellent opportunity to publically acknowledge inspirational women who have achieved so much,” said Windermere CEO Dr Lynette Buoy. “Carla Gagliardi is a woman of true courage and strength, we at Windermere are in awe and so proud of this inspirational woman,” said Dr Buoy.
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In the first seven weeks of this year alone, 14 women have been killed by a current or former partner in family violence attacks, these statistics are absolutely frightening. Windermere’s early intervention and prevention programs are working hard to help break this cycle, to join us on this journey and help other women like Carla, visit www.windermere.org.au and donate now. You can make a difference! For further media information contact: Maree De George Windermere Child and Family Services Phone: (03) 9705 3460 Mob: 0414 609 006 maree.degeorge@windermere.org.au www.windermere.org.au -Ends-
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About Windermere For over 150 years Windermere has been providing help and resources to people so they can live life to their full potential. Our ultimate goal is to help create strong, connected communities where our services are no longer needed. Today we are proud to be one of the largest independent community service organisations operating solely in Victoria’s South-East. We support individuals who have experienced or are dealing with issues such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, violence in the family, lack of housing, have been the victim of a violent crime, are living with a disability, who care for a child with a developmental delay or who just need help to fit in or feel part of their community. We provide emotional and practical support counselling, advice, education, advocacy, therapeutic interventions and reasons to come together. We also provide quality in home and centre-based childcare and work together with a number of schools to help children remain healthy and engaged. While we offer a suite of interventions, our key focus in on prevention and early intervention, and innovative practice. If you wish to know more information please contact Windermere Child and Family Services on (03) 9705 3200 or email info@windermere.org.au
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