Who we are
The National Forum was established in May 2012 and has FVPLS member organisations across Australia who are front-line service providers under the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Program. The Chair of the National Forum is Wynetta Dewis (CEO, QIFVLS, Qld), the Deputy Chair is PC (CEO, CAAFLU, NT) and the Chief Executive Officer is Kerry Staines. The Forum is supported by a Secretariat, and Forum members are represented at Forum meetings and activities by their CEO or Co-ordinator (or delegate).
Our people,
Wynetta Dewis
Chair
Wynetta Dewis is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with strong family connections from Boigu Island and Horn Island. Wynetta brings more than 20 years' experience in management and project management to her current position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS).
Wynetta commenced with QIFVLS in 2011 in the role of Project Officer and, throughout the years, has moved through various positions within the organisation from Community Development Manager to General Manager, progressing to the role of CEO, which she has occupied since 2019.
Wynetta is the Chair of the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum, of which QIFVLS is a member organisation, and chairs Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prevention Group established through the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. She is also a member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coalition (QATSIC) and the Joint Council Representative for Queensland on Closing the Gap.
Phynea (Phee) Clarke (PC)
Deputy Chair
Phynea (Phee) Clarke (PC) is an Aranda woman who was born on Larrakia Country (Darwin) and grew up on her grandmother’s country in Central Australia. PC is a qualified social worker and has been working for justice and systemic change for First Nations people for more than 30 years.
PC is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU). CAAFLU is a specialist Aboriginal community-controlled Family Violence Prevention and Legal service for Aboriginal victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence, which continues to support First Nations people across Central Australia and the Barkly Region and outlying communities. PC commenced her tenure at CAAFLU on the day the doors opened in 2000, providing frontline support to victim-survivors before being appointed CEO in 2010.
In 2016, PC was appointed Deputy Chair of the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum and within that role, has shared her views and experiences in a range of contexts to shine a light on the needs of victim survivors in a culturally appropriate and respectful way.
Lianne Brown
Communications Officer
Lianne is a former journalist and communications and marketing professional with more than 21 years' experience across Australia and globally in government, professional services (legal), pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, economic development, and tertiary education. Lianne has lived on Gimuy country in Cairns and currently lives on the Gubbi Gubbi and Jinbarra Lands of the Sunshine Coast.
Lianne is the inaugural Communications Officer for the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum and brings seven years of combined communications experience in the legal services sector in Queensland and the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Children and Families to her role. Lianne’s media relations experience extends across the areas of child protection, youth and women’s affairs, domestic and family violence, and legal services. Her marketing experience, backed by a Mini MBA in Marketing, covers the traditional and digital disciplines.
Lianne’s commitment to the FVPLS sector is fueled by a desire for meaningful work where she can partner with passionate professionals committed to making an impact for those that need it most. “The written word is my passion and using it to elevate the voices of those in need is my life’s work.”
Kerry Staines
Chief Executive Officer
With more than 30 years’ experience in the community and human services sector, Kerry Staines is a passionate and forward-thinking leader who strives to create positive social impact and address injustice.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the NFVPLS Forum, Kerry brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and business growth. Having delivered successful outcomes and best practices for diverse and complex organisations, such as STEPS Group Australia, Queensland Health, and North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health, Kerry is passionate about addressing systemic challenges that adversely affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families, and their communities, including those impacted by domestic and family violence.
“I want to be a part of, and work alongside a network of providers that honour our unique culture and respects the values and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
Kerry holds an MBA (Leadership) and a Bachelor of Science Psychology, is a graduate of the Australian Institute Company of Directors and holds multiple qualifications in community services and mental health. Born and raised around Brisbane and having lived most of her adult life on Gubbi Gubbi country, Kerry’s cultural heritage extends across the Wakka Wakka and Mandandanji mobs.
