The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre has appointed a new Principal Solicitor responsible for overseeing the critical women’s legal program assisting women across Victoria’s South-West regions.
Kamila Savage lives and works in Warrnambool and has extensive legal experience in Victoria and overseas. For the past five years she has been focussed on family law, family violence, intervention orders, criminal, and civil litigation law matters.
Ms Savage joins The SAFV Centre’ Legal Program, known locally in Warrnambool as Emma House, at a time of unprecedented community demand from women and families needing help with family law and domestic violence issues.
Ms Savage was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2018 and is currently a lawyer with Warrnambool-based Irvine Lawyers. She regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, advocating for clients and appearing in Magistrates’, Children’s Courts of Victoria, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and VCAT.
The SAFV Centre Chief Executive Kerriann Campbell-Jones said the appointment of Ms Savage represents a critical step in strengthening the Emma House Legal Program which helped more than 500 women last year.
“Ms Savage has a unique understanding of family law and family violence matters having worked extensively for a range of clients in private practice which will greatly inform the legal assistance she gives to our clients,” Ms Campbell-Jones said.
“We’re proud that experienced local professionals like Kamila continue to choose to join our team, reinforcing the strength and importance of the services we provide to victim-survivors across the region.”
Ms Savage said the need for the Emma House Legal Program has never been greater.
“As a Warrnambool local I fully understand and respect the importance of the Legal Program to the women of the region and look forward to working with the team to ensure we continue delivering the services our community relies on,” Ms Savage said.
Ms Savage will start her new role on 5 January and will work closely with recently appointed Deputy Principal David Brozinski who has welcomed Ms Savage’s appointment.
“Kamila is a respected local lawyer with experience and knowledge of family law which will complement the team and I look forward to working with her in our new roles,” Mr Brozinski said.
The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre has made critical significant changes in 2025 to ensure its financial sustainability, including securing long-term funding and restructuring operations to prioritise resources for frontline service delivery. During this period of transition and recruitment, the Centre has maintained service delivery through flexible arrangements and strong partnerships with Victoria Legal Aid, Women’s Legal Service Victoria, and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
“All clients who needed our help during this period of transition received the care and professional services they deserved, and we are deeply grateful for our partners support during this time. Our recent appointments, will enable us to transition back to providing our full-service model,” Ms Campbell-Jones said.
