Voices of Courage: Rosie Batty and Conor Pall Inspire Change in Mildura

A Call for Reform from Rosie Batty

Rosie Batty AO, one of Australia’s most influential voices in the prevention of family violence, spoke with great courage, honesty and compassion. Drawing on her own lived experience, including the tragic loss of her son Luke in 2014, Rosie reminded us of the urgent need to improve systems and responses so women and children can be protected and supported. 

As the 2015 Australian of the Year and inaugural Chair of the Victorian Government’s Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council, Rosie has helped transform Australia’s understanding of family violence. Her message encouraged everyone to reflect on the realities faced by victim-survivors and the shared responsibility we hold in building safer communities. 

The Strength and Honesty of a Young Survivor

We were also deeply moved by the testimony of Conor Pall, who shared his experience as a child victim-survivor of family violence. Conor spoke openly about what it was like to grow up surrounded by fear and instability, and the lasting impact those experiences can leave on a young person’s life. 

His courage, resilience and willingness to be vulnerable offered a powerful reminder of why young people need safe environments, trusted adults and opportunities to have their voices heard. 

A Shared Responsibility

Rosie and Conor’s stories created a heartfelt call to action. Their voices reminded everyone in the room that family violence is not something a person or family should face alone. It is a community issue, and we each have a role to play in supporting victim-survivors, challenging harmful behaviours and working together to create change. 

At CatholicCare Victoria, we remain committed to supporting children, young people, adults and families who have been impacted by family violence. We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated Family Services teams across the state, whose compassion and expertise help people rebuild safety, confidence and hope after trauma. 

Events like the MASP Lunch For Change remind us that change is possible when we listen to survivors, stand with communities and work together with empathy and determination. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available. To learn more about our services, please visit catholiccarevic.org.au.