Ruth Isbel Award – South West
We are pleased to announce the joint recipients of the Ruth Isbel Staff Excellence Award for 2024.
The Ruth Isbel Staff Excellence Award was established in 2021 following the tragic loss of Ruth Isbel, Emma House Executive Officer who was an inspirational leader and colleague. Ruth led Emma House to provide the best service possible to women and children affected by family violence in the South West of Victoria.
The Staff Excellence Award has been established in her memory and in perpetuity for the South West team. Ruth is greatly missed and this award ensures that her joyful passion and commitment to build a strong organisation with passionate and capable staff will endure.
Congratulations to the following team members from our South West office:
Danielle Lavithis, Client Services Manager South West
Danielle does not only exemplify a passion for keeping women and children safe and accountability for adults using family violence, but Danielle has also increasingly kept the community aware and held accountable in this space. Danielle has a ‘can do attitude’ that is encouraging and confidence boosting to be working alongside of.
Danielle has held the ship steady through so much change, and comes in every day with such positivity and humour. She is a joy to have around the office and works so hard for all of us.
Tamieka Bennett, Specialist Family Violence Case Manager – South West
Supporting clients in such a comprehensive and supportive nature, while going through such a turbulent time in her life, without letting it alter her commitment to our mission and vision. Such an inspiration to our industry! Tamieka exemplifies the passion, work ethic, spirit and commitment that Ruth had for Emma House and its vision of a society where women and children live free from domestic violence. There are often times where Tamieka refers to Ruth, her values and her previous work at Emma House, and Tamieka would praise her work.
Hannah Chisholm, Family Violence Counselling Program – Senior Practitioner – South West
Hannah, worked closely with Ruth to establish a Therapeutic Program within the agency and continues today, sharing the same commitment to supporting women and children in providing a therapeutic response. Hannah also openly and generously shares her knowledge and experience with staff to support their work with families.
Amy Lane, Principal Solicitor – Legal Program
Amy embodies everything that Ruth and this award stands for. She is a proud feminist and fierce advocate for women and children in the south west. Everything she does is with the client’s best interests at heart, to ensure they are supported and receive the best possible outcome.
