For those who may not know, can you share what Epic Walk for DV is all about and the impact it’s had across Queensland?

The Epic Walk for DV is about raising vital funds for Women’s Legal Service Queensland, which offers free legal advice and support for women leaving a domestic and family violence situation. To date we have raised more than $1.1 million.

You founded Epic Walk For DV back in 2022. What was the motivation around launching this initiative?

We wanted to create a community event that could help highlight the growing rates of domestic and family violence across the state. The idea first came about after Brendon and I signed up to Dancing CEOs which is the annual gala fundraiser for Women’s Legal Service Queensland. We were tasked with raising $30,000 that year and thought creating the walk might help us reach that goal. Through the walk, donations and a black-tie event, we managed to exceed that goal and raise more than $240,000.

When you first launched the walk, what did you hope it would become — and how does that compare to where it is today?

When I first launched this walk alongside my fiancé Brendon Mann, we really didn’t imagine it would be this big. We started at a park in Newstead along the Brisbane river with about 200 people, now we have multiple locations across Brisbane, Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Airlie Beach. At the Brisbane walk alone (in New Farm Park) we’ll have more than 1,000 people attending. We’ve also had a bit of fun promoting the walk through a YouTube series called ‘Queensland Karaoke for a Cause’…where I drive around with a few familiar faces and have a sing along. New episodes are dropping soon, but if you’d like to see Sharyn Ghidella in all her glory from last year – take a listen here!

What are some common misconceptions about domestic and family violence that you wish more people understood?

I wish more people would understand that it happens to more people than you think, and it doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter the level of job you have, your postcode, your income; it happens to far too many people. It doesn’t have to be just physical abuse, it can emotional and financial. 

From your perspective, what role can corporate organisations and their staff play in supporting this cause?

Corporates play a huge role in this cause. The more money we raise, the more women and children we can help. This year we’ve worked with major corporates through sponsorships which have now closed, but there’s still plenty of time to donate at www.epicwalkfordv.com.au! Every year we attract newsrooms, law firms, salons, you name it! 

How can our staff get involved or support the walk this year?

Brisbane-based staff can create their own team, join up to Brisbane Journos or walk as an individual. Those who can’t attend can still donate on the website or help spread the word on social media.

If there’s one message you’d like everyone reading this newsletter to take away, what would it be?

No one should ever have to suffer in silence. Know that there’s a dedicated community here to always support you.