A leading voice against domestic violence 

When her 11-year-old son Luke tragically lost his life at the hands of his father, Rosie Batty was catapulted into the media spotlight. But from the very start, she made sure her story was never just about her own horrific tragedy. With fierce determination and incredible courage, Rosie channelled her grief into a tireless and inspirational crusade against domestic violence, becoming a beacon of hope and a powerful catalyst for systemic change.   

From the day Rosie so bravely fronted the media after her son’s death, she has given voice to thousands of domestic violence victims – and her impact has been extraordinary.   

Appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Government’s Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council, set up in response to the country’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence, Rosie was determined to put victims at the centre of policy decisions.   

From being named Australian of the Year to receiving the Pride of Australia National Courage Medal and the prestigious Order of Australia, Rosie's accolades speak volumes about the indelible mark she has made on our world. Her relentless dedication has also seen her inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, named by Fortune Magazine as one of the world’s top 50 greatest leaders, and voted as the most influential person in the not-for-profit sector on Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 list... twice.  

Rosie has also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast for her contribution to raising national awareness and action concerning Family Violence.  

But perhaps Rosie's most enduring legacy lies in her innate ability to inspire others. By sharing her own journey of healing and resilience, she has empowered countless others to find hope in the face of adversity. To not only find the strength to confront darkness, but also the courage to find a way forward.  

Rosie Batty is not just a survivor; she is a leader, a champion and a symbol of hope for a safer, more compassionate future.  

Dinesh was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. Dinesh is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, and researcher. While in medical school, he was involved in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury. Dinesh was born in Sri Lanka, then moved to Australia at the age of ten during the civil war. 

Dinesh has completed a Bachelor of Laws at the Queensland University of Technology, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law, Emergency Medicine Certificate at the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, and Doctor of Medicine and Griffith University. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors under a Disability Leadership Scholarship. 

Dinesh works in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a researcher and senior lecturer at the Griffith University and assistant professor at Bond University. Dinesh is a researcher in spinal cord injury, co-leading the BioSpine research team.  

He is a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team. Dinesh was a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission. He is an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includeability program. He is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia. He is an advisory board member to HealthyLife, a Woolworths company. Dinesh is a John Monash Scholar. He is an independent non-executive director of George Steuart & Co, one of the oldest companies in the world and oldest in Sri Lanka. Dinesh is a non-executive director of the Housing Hub, started by the Summer Foundation. 

Dinesh was the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Junior Doctor of the Year in 2018. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019. He was the third Australian to be awarded a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. In 2022, Dinesh was listed as number 33 in the Courier Mail’s top 100 power list for Queensland’s most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.