Patty Kinnersly wants to change our national story.
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She has a vision where dialogue about equality is not just about the betterment of women, but how parity can be beneficial to all.
The former Women’s Health Grampians chief is set to lead Australia’s family violence prevention campaign Our Watch. Ms Kinnersly’s appointment as Our Watch chief executive officer comes amid a fast-changing culture in grassroots communities and on an international level for women’s equality.
While Ms Kinnersly’s office is in central Melbourne, she said was passionate about keeping a focus on regional and remote communities.
“A lot of the skills and attributes I’ve built along my journey have been born out of incredible partnerships in our region,” Ms Kinnersly said.
“There is a lot of innovative and leading work being doing in the regions. There is a lot of practical experience.”
Ms Kinnersly said The Courier’s 2013 It’s Up To Us Campaign, in partnership with WHG, continued to be framework for campaigns for everyone taking responsibility to stop violence against women. She said The Courier, as an early adopter, and the Ballarat community set a high benchmark.
READ MORE: Why we stand against family violence
Our Watch’s preventative work on community frontlines, like schools, sporting clubs and the media, excites Ms Kinnersly.
In her role as Our Watch’s practical leadership director the past three years, she has keenly experienced growing interest and demand from community groups proactively wanting to make a difference.
Ms Kinnersly said the work Our Watch did was evidence based, and nature of actions were the same nationwide, but work was tailored to each city and community. She said it was important to work with communities and understand grassroots issues.
Still living outside Creswick and serving on Ballarat Health Services board, Ms Kinnersly is incredibly proud of Ballarat and the leadership shown across this region.
Ms Kinnersly left WHG wanting to help fill a gap in national action to prevent family violence.
She could hardly wait to lead Our Watch into a new phase, building on the work of outgoing chief Mary Barry and a strong board led by Natasha Stott Despoja. Ms Kinnersly starts her new role on June 1.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call triple-zero.
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