Virginia Geddes

Virginia has nearly 40 years' experience campaigning to address and prevent violence against women and their children. Virginia's journey and legacy in the family violence sector is one of determination, altruism and courage. It was in the late 1970s when Virginia took on a position at the first women's refuge in Victoria— the Women's Liberation Halfway House (WLHH). After her time at WLHH, Virginia was an active participant in the collective effort to secure funding for the first Women's Refuge Referral Service—an early incarnation of Safe Steps.

She was also a member of the group which initiated and led the campaign to save the Queen Victoria Hospital site. The Queen Victoria Women's Centre now stands on this site and is currently home to a number of women's services. Virginia worked at the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) for 26 years, and in the past six years in the role of Executive Officer.

Throughout her career, Virginia's contribution to raising community awareness of the prevalence of violence against women has made a positive and indelible impact on the communities and organisations she has served.

Her contribution to DVRCV has resulted in the organisation's reputation for excellence and allowed it to contribute in new and valuable ways to prevent and respond to family violence.

Under her leadership, DVRCV has grown to become Victoria's leading provider of family violence resources, training and education. It has developed strong, effective, and collaborative working relationships with government, the justice system, police, community organisations and other family violence services.

Virginia was active in the statewide networking and advocacy that has culminated formally into today's peak organisation, Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic). Virginia was a committed and influential member of the board of DV Vic since its formal inception in 2005, bringing a sound understanding of the political, government and social environment in which peak bodies operate.

Her exceptional and tireless contribution is grounded in her strong identity as a feminist and political activist. Virginia retired from full-time work in 2015. She continues to promote an equality and rights framework advocating for the safety of women and children, and perpetrator accountability for their use of violence.