PROJECT FUTURES gives hope by transforming the lives of women and children in Cambodia and Australia affected by sexual slavery, trafficking and exploitation.
Funds raised support established projects that work to prevent, support and empower victims, survivors and those at-risk.
In partnership with AFESIP Cambodia; an organisation based on the vision and life’s work of Cambodian survivor and activist Somaly Mam, PROJECT FUTURES helps provide safe and secure housing, confidential psychological support, routine and emergency medical treatments, as well as professional legal assistance and opportunities for education and training women and girls.
Money from this event will help AFESIP continue this valuable work in Cambodia.
In celebration of International Women's Day, we invite you to hear from four incredible women of the sacrifices made & trauma overcome in order to achieve personal and professional success.
Hosted by Konica Minolta in support of charity partner, PROJECT FUTURES, this exclusive event seeks to celebrate the passion and commitment of women from a range of backgrounds and professions battling the odds to achieve their goals.
Hear from Australian Diamonds Vice-Captain, Gabi Simpson, local Firebird Gretel Tippett and two
Cambodian based human rights activists and survivors of sex slavery - Somaly Mam and Sina Vann.
Date: Saturday 17 March 2018
Time: 630pm - 930pm
Location: Cloudface Heritage Room | 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley Queensland 4006
Cost: $85 per person
Inclusions: Cocktails and Canapes
(Theatre-style event)
SOMALY MAM, Human Rights Activist & Survivor
Sold at the age of 12, Somaly was forced to work in a brothel alongside other children for nearly a decade where she was brutally tortured and raped on a daily basis. After escaping the industry with the help of a foreigner, she has dedicated her life's work to supporting victims by providing a safe space to start the healing process.
SINA VANN, Survivor and Agent for Change
Trafficked from Vietnam to Cambodia at a young age, Sina was sold to a brothel where she was forced to service up to 20-30 clients a day and survive unthinkable torture. Sina is a living reminder of how important services like AFESIP are, having been supported, educated and now employed as an outreach worker since 1998.
GABI SIMPSON, Co-Vice Captain for Australian Diamonds and Captain of Firebirds
Gabi Simpson has helped lead the Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds to an unprecedented era of success since joining the club in 2013 – four years, four grand final appearances and two championship wins. Gabi is the current captain of the Queensland Firebirds, and vice-captain of the Australian Diamonds.
Revered by coaches and teammates for her game-changing skill and adored by supporters for her infectious energy, the three time Firebirds Fans’ Player of the Year has established herself as the country’s premier wing defence.
The Sydney-native cemented her spot in Firebirds folklore with a legendary double extra time intercept in the 2016 ANZ Championship Grand Final. The grab set teammate Romelda Aiken up to ice the game and bag Queensland a historic back-to-back championship win.
GRETEL TIPPETT, Firebirds Team Member
Gretel Tippett has made her mark as one of netball’s great innovators since making her Firebirds debut in 2014.
The former basketball star delights Firebirds fans and bamboozles opposition defences with her stylish approach to the game, which includes an athletic, all-action play style and a trademark lay-up shot. Her talents were recognised at international level after the Firebirds’ 2015 ANZ Championship win when she was handed her maiden Australian Diamonds cap.
The sister of AFL stars Kurt and Joel has struck one of the league’s great attacking partnerships with shooting companion Romelda Aiken, laying on myriad goals for the Jamaican star – and netting a hatful herself, including the match winner in the 2015 ANZ Championship grand final – since their pairing.
HOLLY FERLING, Fast bowler for the Queensland Fire, Brisbane Heat and Southern Stars
Originally from Kingaroy where she shot to prominence by taking a hat-trick in men’s A grade cricket while still at school, the right-arm pace bowler took the women’s cricket world by storm in in her debut season of 2012-13.
That season she earned a place in the WNCL (one-day) Team of the Year, and was named the 12th player in the World Cup Team of the Tournament in India in February 2013. She made her Test debut in 2013-14 against England and went to the World T20 Championships in Bangladesh where the Southern Stars brought home the cup.
Holly was a Konica Minolta Queensland Fire rookie player from the age of 14, and made history by becoming the first female to win the Ken Mackay Trophy for the Queensland Junior Cricketer of the Year.
JEMMA BARSBY, QLD Cricket Spinner
Daughter of former Queensland Bulls opening bat and coach Trevor Barsby, Jemma Barsby is a hugely talented spinner who can bowl with both hands. At age 20 she is a star on the rise having made her Queensland debut at age 15 and previously touring with Australia's Shooting Stars squad.
Outside of cricket Jemma is the QLD Cricket resident barista and is an inspiration to her teammates as she refuses to let a recent multiple sclerosis diagnosis derail her cricketing dreams.
VICTORIA CARTHEW, TV & RADIO PRESENTER / SPORTS COMMENTATOR
Victoria is a highly respected journalist, presenter, broadcaster, producer and emcee, and has more than two decades of media experience.
Currently a presenter with the Seven Network’s popular travel and lifestyle program, ‘Queensland Weekender’, Victoria is also a regular guest on both Radio 4BC and ABC 612.
As an expert sport commentator, Victoria was the AFL’s first female boundary rider and is passionate about supporting and increasing participation in sports.