Councillor honoured for work to prevent domestic violence

Moreton Bay City Councillor Tony Latter has been awarded the 2024 Alison Woolla Memorial Award for Local Leadership in Preventing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

Presented by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) last night, Cr Latter was honoured with the Council Category, specifically acknowledging the work of local government, elected members and council officers.

Cr Latter (Div 12) is the founder of Red Ride – Ride Against Domestic Violence in Moreton Bay, conducted in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Caboolture and is committed to creating positive change in the community.

In addition to the Red Ride initiative, Cr Latter is the President of the Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA).

For more than 30 years, CADA has been making a positive difference in the lives of people experiencing domestic and family violence across the City of Moreton Bay by providing domestic, family and sexual violence support through prevention, early intervention, crisis response and recovery to promote safety and healing.

The LGAQ honoured Cr Latter with the award ‘in recognition of his remarkable dedication to fostering reconciliation in the community, embodying the values of respect, understanding, and unity that Alison Woolla stood for during her time as a pioneering leader’.

LGAQ CEO Alison Smith says: “Councillor Latter’s work in addressing domestic and family violence, particularly in initiatives such as the ‘Red Ride – Ride Against Domestic Violence in Moreton Bay’, has made a profound impact.

“By advocating for safety, support, and healing, and fostering collaboration across cultures, Councillor Tony Latter has made a positive impact and contributed to building stronger, more resilient communities.”

Cr Latter says he is honoured to receive the award, but the tribute should instead go to support workers and specialist leaders who work tirelessly to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the strength and resilience of those many brave people who have, and continue to, suffer domestic and family violence and abuse; please know there is support available and hope is around the corner,” he says.

“In Australia, domestic and family violence is disturbingly common and sadly it is becoming one of the main drivers of homelessness among women, children and men.

“Last year alone, CADA supported 20,000 people across City of Moreton Bay.

“This is a blight on our society and has to stop. I know I am just one of so many across our community who are working hard to realise a future free from domestic and family violence and call on everyone to take a stand.

“I am humbled to receive the Alison Woolla Memorial Award for Local Leadership in Preventing Domestic and Family Violence; and it is equally special, sharing the Council Category with Councillor Sha-Lane Gibson from Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council.

“Together we can all make a tangible difference to keep our communities safe.”

Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the prevention of, and support for, victims of domestic and family violence in the community is something Council takes seriously.

“We need to send a strong message to the community that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated,” Mayor Flannery says.