LOCKDOWN has forced Iona College to rethink a much-anticipated presentation by Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.
Instead of a face-to-face event for more than 2000 ticket holders at the college’s new Provence Centre tomorrow night (August 7), Ms Tame will now present to an online community audience.
Iona College has sent email notification to previous ticket holders offering them an opportunity to register for the online event, even though access will be limited to 800 devices.
Ms Tame has a powerful story to tell.
After being groomed and raped by her maths teacher when she was just 15 years old, Ms Tame is now an advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and a leader of positive change.
Her focus is around enabling survivors to tell their stories without shame, educating the public around the lasting effects of grooming and working to ensure we have a legal system that supports survivors, not just perpetrators.
Ms Tame is open about her experience, but even more passionate about preventing this from happening to other children.
Iona College rector Oblate Father Michael Twigg said he believed it would be the first time Ms Tame had spoken at a school in her role as Australian of the Year.
Even though a late “pivot” was required so the speech could be offered to an online audience, he said it was significant she had accepted Iona’s invitation.
Late access to join the event may still be available by clicking here.
