Launch of new peak body: Our Ways Strong Together
The Albanese Government and the Coalition of Peaks have today launched a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence – Our Ways Strong Together.
Our Ways Strong Together brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations including specialist family, domestic and sexual violence services, peak bodies and the broader community-controlled sector.
By amplifying the perspectives and experiences of community-controlled organisations and the communities they serve, Our Ways Strong Together will also play an invaluable role in shaping government policies and programs.
Our Ways Strong Together also contributes to the Government’s work towards Target 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to reduce family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50% by 2031.
The Coalition of Peaks and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector leaders worked alongside government to establish the new peak body, drawing on their deep expertise and leadership across their sectors and communities.
Olga Havnen will lead Our Ways Strong Together as the Chief Executive Officer. Ms Havnen is a proud Western Arrernte woman and has extensive experience working in partnership with First Nations communities.
She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for her advocacy work. Ms Havnen was previously Chief Executive Officer of Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin.
Interim board members include:
- Interim Chair: Donnella Mills, Chair of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
- Muriel Bamblett, CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency and Chair of SNAICC – National Voice of our Children
- Lisa Charles, Executive Director of Coalition of Peaks Secretariat
- Wynetta Dewis, CEO of Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service and Chair of First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence
Funding for Our Ways Strong Together is part of the $218.3 million investment into Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.
More information on the Our Ways Strong Together: National Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence is available on the Department of Social Services website.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“We know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face unique and significant barriers to getting help - they are 7 times more likely to be victims of intimate partner homicide and 27 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be hospitalised due to family violence. This increases to 41 times more likely in regional and very remote communities.
“This is unacceptable, and the Government recognises we must turn that around.
“Our Ways Strong Together will represent and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations working on family, domestic and sexual violence across the country. I look forward to seeing the incredible work they will accomplish.
“Combined with Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices, we are making an important step to address the rates of family, domestic, and sexual violence in First Nations communities.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The launch of Our Ways Strong Together delivers on our government’s commitment to establish a national First Nations peak body to address family, domestic and sexual violence.
“Our Ways Strong Together represents the community-controlled organisations and services who have been working to support survivors over many years.
“Strengthening the community-controlled sector is an important part of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, as all governments work with communities to end family, domestic and sexual violence.”
Quotes attributable to Donella Mills, Interim Chair of Our Ways Strong Together:
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations are trusted, place-based service providers, designed by and for our people. They succeed because they are grounded in culture, local knowledge and accountability to our communities.
“Our Ways Strong Together is built from community, for community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services and peak bodies have been leading this work for generations without a national, integrated sector body to represent them. Today we unite their voices at a national level. This peak body is about strength, culture and healing. It’s about ensuring our communities have the integrated support they need to keep families and communities safe.
“Our Ways Strong Together is an example of the Priority Reforms from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in action. It is a concrete action towards strengthening the community-controlled sector and enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a seat at the decision-making table.”
Quotes attributable to Muriel Bamblett, Interim Director, Our Ways Strong Together:
“Family, domestic and sexual violence is everyone’s issue. It affects whole communities and requires a coordinated national response.
“Real change comes from investing in prevention, supporting families early and backing the community organisations that people trust.
“Our communities and community-controlled services know what works. With the right support, community-led solutions can support families and communities to create lasting change.
“Our Ways Strong Together will focus on strengthening community-led approaches that address the complex drivers of violence, including trauma, housing insecurity, poverty and systemic inequality. Again, we are showing leadership to address the harmful effects of family, domestic and sexual violence in our communities.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing, relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting www.mensline.org.au
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.