Our Watch is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Board Director, The Honorable Ms. Jacquie Petrusma following an extensive career and service in government.

Ms. Petrusma was a Member of Parliament for over 12 years and Minister in the Tasmanian Government for over six years.

Passionate about equality and community, Ms. Petrusma was the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and held portfolios for Women; Disability Services and Community Development; Human Services; Aboriginal Affairs; Police, Fire and Emergency Management; Sport and Recreation; and Parks.

As Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Women, Ms. Petrusma worked closely with Our Watch to embed primary prevention across Tasmania.

This included ongoing efforts to build multi-partisan approaches to end violence against women, the implementation of a nation-first partnership model to embed an Our Watch Senior Advisor in Tasmania and the delivery of Our Watch’s Workplace Equality and Respect standards across the public service.

Our Watch Chair, Ms. Moo Baulch, said that Ms. Petrusma’s long-term commitment to end violence against women was commendable and welcomed her to the Our Watch Board.

“Ms. Petrusma is a tireless leader and champion for equality and we are pleased to continue working with her to end violence against women.

“With her wealth of experience across government, not-for-profit and corporate businesses, her expertise will be greatly valued by the Board and the organisation,” Ms. Baulch said.

Ms. Petrusma’s appointment with Our Watch is close to her heart, as she is a victim-survivor of family and sexual violence. She is also a Member of the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) Tasmania and Board Member of Nexus Inc, a disability support service provider.

Ms. Baulch said that Ms. Petrusma’s lived experiences are essential to the work of Our Watch.

“Her ongoing dedication to supporting prevention, response and recovery has helped created safer lives for many women – and this work will continue as a part of Our Watch,” Ms Baulch said.

Ms. Petrusma said she was delighted to be joining a board of dedicated experts at Our Watch, and working with Our Watch’s CEO, Patty Kinnersly.

“This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of a leading national organisation that is dedicated to ending violence against women and their children.

“This issue is social, economic, political and deep within our culture, but change is possible through prevention.”

Ms. Petrusma’s appointment comes after Dr Phil Lambert PSM steps down after more than 10 years as an Our Watch Board Director, including serving as Deputy Chair.

“Phil has been an invaluable member of the board for the past ten years, and his leadership as Deputy Chair has been instrumental in guiding Our Watch through significant periods of growth and change,” Ms Baulch said.

“Phil has also played a key role in shaping Our Watch’s work in education and schools, settings that are vitally important for preventing violence against women.

“We are grateful for Phil’s leadership, insight and dedication to Our Watch”.

Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or 0448 844 930.

*If you cover this story, or any story regarding violence against women and children, please include the following tagline:

“If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.”
To access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children, visit Media Making Change.

Our Watch is a national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. The organisation was created to drive nation-wide change in the practices, norms, and structures that lead to violence against women and children.