Celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW) and recognising upcoming NAIDOC week  

Bridging the Gap Between
Now and Next  

Over the past year, one theme has resonated across our organisation: connection — to culture, to learning, to growth, and to each other. As we reflect, we celebrate the steps we have taken together toward bridging the gap between now and next. 

All managers and staff were offered training on cultural awareness and to strengthen our commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.  

We are proud that our staff reflect the cultures and religions of the community we serve – including 7% of our team identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

Cultural Awareness: 
Through yarning circles, cultural awareness workshops with Koori Kulcha and Yarn Up and the introduction of new internal resources, our team deepened its understanding of First Nations cultures, stories, and strengths. These were not just training sessions; they were spaces for truth-telling, reflection, and meaningful change. Thank you to everyone who approached them with open hearts and minds. 

“I had no idea how much I didn’t know... these sessions really opened my eyes.” — Team member, March workshop 

We proudly welcomed new team members who bring not only skill but lived experience, passion, and a deep commitment to justice.  

“I chose to work here because I wanted to be part of the change… and I saw in this team a place where that kind of work happens every day.”  

Representation matters — and it is making a real difference across our organisation. From building cultural capability to strengthening leadership and legal compliance, we continued investing in the growth of our people. 

Safe, respectful and inclusive workplace
Our team values are Respect, Teamwork, Accountability and Transparency.  To lean into these values and to broaden our mindset staff were offered the following education: 

• Leadership training
• Vicarious Trauma 
• Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
• First Aid
• Child Protection
• Trauma-Informed Practice
• Respect at Work 
• Psychosocial Hazards
• Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).

Looking ahead, we will continue rolling out our wellbeing strategy, transforming focus group insights into actionable initiatives, delivering Crucial Conversations training across the organisation, strengthening leadership and cultural capability, and maintaining a strong focus on building a culture of safety, respect, and inclusion. 

“We don’t need to have all the answers. We just need to keep listening, learning, and showing up.” 

Juliane, HR Manager 

New First Nations Focussed
Casework Service

JSC acknowledges that family violence has never been a part of Aboriginal culture. 

We are proud to announce the launch of our First Nations Focus Casework Service following strong advocacy to address a high unmet need in the community. After a competitive application process, we were thrilled to be selected as the successful applicant to deliver this culturally safe and specialised support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children impacted by domestic and family violence. 

Our new service draws on strong partnerships with Aboriginal communities to support the self-determination and healing of Aboriginal women and children. The service is delivered by a dedicated team of Aboriginal Specialists and offers voluntary, flexible and free case management with no time limits. 

Clients can access emotional and cultural support, safety planning, referrals to housing and financial services, legal support, health services, home visits, and connection to culturally safe groups and programs. Caseworkers work alongside clients to develop tailored plans that meet their needs and goals. 

As one of our caseworkers reflected: 

“I am profoundly moved by the strength, resilience, and vulnerability that our clients draw on every day in recovering from domestic and family violence. This has driven my passion in working in this space and enables me to support and uplift clients in my daily practice.” 

Our new First Nations Focussed Service reflects our continued commitment to delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive services that centre the voices, safety, and leadership of Aboriginal women and communities.

For more information, please reach out to us via email: dfvfirstnations@jsc.org.au 

Legal Presentation at Fairfield Conversations 

Our legal and DFV teams recently participated in the bi-annual Fairfield Conversations, an event organised by Fairfield City Council for local community service providers to come together, reflect on shared experiences, and address the needs of communities in Fairfield. We were thrilled to be selected as one of only eight organisations to present on the day about key social issues impacting Fairfield residents. Our presentation covered our research into the significant unmet legal need in Fairfield, and the strategies proposed to meet that need, including through local partnerships. 

Our Head Solicitor, Liz Simpson presented to a record crowd of 130 participants at the Hub, Bonnyrigg. Liz shared some of our preliminary findings about the disproportionate and intersectional disadvantage experienced by our clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She also covered the main strategies we are developing, including strengthening local partnerships and leveraging effective models such as a new Fairfield Family Law outreach in partnerships with Fairfield’s Women's Health Service in Cabramatta and Uniting FRC in Fairfield...

Reflecting on an Inspiring
Women In Leadership Summit

In May, members of our team had the privilege of attending the Women in Leadership Summit 2025, where we were proud to be the official charity partner. It was an incredible few days filled with energy, inspiration, and a powerful sense of community among women leaders from across the country. 

Hearing from keynote speakers like Dr Dianne McGrath, Liane Moriarty and Asher Keddie was particularly impactful. Their stories of resilience and leadership resonated deeply, reinforcing the importance of authenticity and courage in our professional journeys. 

When it was her turn to speak, our CEO Melanie also emphasised the impact of DFV on women's health and wellbeing and how important it is for us to achieve gender equity and respect to end DFV. Melanie also spoke about the important role leaders can play to ensure gender equity, safe and respectful workplaces and that women experiencing DFV get the support they need. 

Throughout the event, there was a strong focus on resilience, authenticity, and lifting up the voices of women across every industry. Hearing firsthand the challenges and successes of so many diverse women was a reminder of how important it is to create workplaces – and communities – that empower and support each other. 

A huge thank you to the organisers at The Leadership Institute for hosting such an inspiring event, and to everyone who stopped by to hear more about our work. We came away energised, hopeful, and more committed than ever to creating lasting change. 

Experiencing First Nations Culture
through Cinema

At JSC, our commitment to fostering an inclusive and culturally aware workplace is reflected in our active participation in initiatives that celebrate diversity. In July, our team will embrace this commitment by engaging with Nunga Screen—a powerful film program that amplifies First Nations voices and stories. 

Nunga Screen is an annual short film showcase presented by Country Arts SA and features a curated selection of short films—including documentaries, animations, and dramas—created by emerging and established First Nations filmmakers. The program offers audiences of all ages an opportunity to experience First Nations culture, language, and storytelling through cinema, and the sessions will provide a platform for our team to come together, reflect, and engage in meaningful discussions about the themes presented in the films.  

By sharing these stories, we hope to deepen our understanding of First Nations cultures and histories, reinforcing our commitment to building a workplace where every story is valued, and every voice is heard. 

Reflecting on our year

As we come to the close of this newsletter, I’m very proud reflecting on all the stories, achievements, and aspirations shared — from the way we are bridging the gap through our people and culture, to the critical legal workshops supporting our community through change and challenge. 

I'm also thrilled that we have launched our First Nations Casework Service marking a significant milestone, and reaffirming our commitment to walking together toward justice, truth, and reconciliation. 

I could not be prouder of what our team continues to achieve. 

As we head towards the end of financial year I want to do a special shout out to our legal team. The work they do is changing lives every day — running community workshops, advocating for individuals and families, and providing vital advice. They are often working with clients who do not speak English at home and who face significant social and economic challenges. 

Our challenge is that JSC and all of our colleagues in the Community Legal Sector currently face funding uncertainty, with our contracts with the Government ending on 30 June 25. Funding uncertainty places even greater pressure on our team and makes forward planning an impossible task. We respectfully ask the Attorney General and the State Government to urgently end this uncertainty and provide us with the vital funding we need to meet the urgent needs in the community.

Finally, as we look ahead to NAIDOC week with the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, I want to acknowledge that none of our work would be complete without standing alongside First Nations peoples.  

Acknowledgement of Country

Justice Support Centre proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, the Cabrogal Peoples of the Darug nation, the Gadigal Peoples of the Eora Nation, as well as the Tharawal and Gandangara Nations. We acknowledge their continuing connection to the land, waters and community and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Peoples.