Maurice Brady was well-known as a long-time social campaigner on Blue Mountains Council.
And his name will live on after the Maurice Brady Memorial Fund, established after his death in January, raised nearly $20,000.
His partner, Suzie Van Opdorp, on behalf of all her family, formally handed over the money to the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre last month.
“The Maurice Brady Memorial Fund will be used to support women escaping domestic violence and to provide a legacy in his name, as he was such a dedicated campaigner for social justice and gender equality,” said Ms Van Opdorp.
Maurice Brady, in his role as a social worker at Blue Mountains City Council, worked to raise the profile of domestic violence as an issue at council and in the wider community through the Blue Mountains Coalition Against Violence and Abuse (CAVA) and other partnerships.
Family and friends present at the handing over ceremony expressed their sorrow and acknowledged his unique and long contribution to their lives and the local community.
“One in three women in this country are victims of domestic violence” said Sarala Porter, manager of the Women’s Health and Resource Centre. “The impact of this is enormous, being a major cause of homelessness and financial hardship and severely affecting women and their children’s physical and mental health.”
“Donations to the fund so far have exceeded the expectations of Maurice’s family and will provide the basis of life-changing support for many women at a time that they need it most.
“We are hoping that this is just the beginning of an ongoing opportunity for the community to donate directly into a fund that contributes to women moving forward with their lives free from violence and at the same time remember a very special man,” Ms Porter said.
If anyone still wishes to donate to the Maurice Brady Memorial Fund, please contact the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre on 4782 5133 or bmwhrc@bmwhrc.org.
