PACT

Today marks 40 years since PACT made a promise to protect victims and witnesses of crime navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.

On 29 May 1986, PACT was officially incorporated as an organisation. Our story began at a child abuse seminar where a presenter's challenge to the audience, to "make a pact to protect all children today", sparked something lasting. Two Detectives, David Jefferies and Dugald MacMillan, approached Kay McGrath, a television presenter who had been covering the seminar, and together the three of them signed the paperwork in Kay's own home to bring PACT into existence.

Today, 40 years on, we were honoured to celebrate this milestone at Government House with our Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, alongside our founding members, board, staff, and the volunteers who make this work possible every single day.

Most meaningfully, Kay McGrath and Detective David Jefferies were with us today, wonderful people whose vision, forty years ago, started it all.

PACT exists to support, educate and empower people through their court journey. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we walk alongside children, young people and adults who are victims and witnesses navigating the Queensland criminal justice system. It is not easy work and sadly, it’s still necessary work 40 year later.

This financial year alone:
4,022 vulnerable children, young people and adults were supported by PACT.
51% of those we supported were adults.
63% of cases involved domestic and sexual violence matters.
12% of our clients identify as First Nations peoples, a figure that reminds us how much further we have to go in ensuring every victim and witness, regardless of background, can access the support they need and deserve.

We are grateful to Her Excellency for her steadfast support of our mission, and to every volunteer, staff member, board director, and founding member who has carried this organisation forward across four decades.

Forty years. Thousands of lives. One purpose, unchanged since the day it was written at Kay's kitchen table.

Here's to the next chapter.

What a whirlwind few days at VExpo in Townsville!

Tania and Paul from PACT headed to Townsville for the Volunteer Expo and the response was absolutely incredible. Here's what we came away with:

✅ A new volunteer application (on the spot)
👋 A volunteer applicant who dropped by our PACT stand to say hello
💬 Promising new prospective volunteers who were still chatting with us, even as we were packing up the stand!
🤝 Fantastic community conversations and connections
🌟 An exciting new connection with Bamara, with early discussions around future collaboration opportunities involving lived experience pathways into volunteering and community support roles. Watch this space! 😊

We were also thrilled to receive a shoutout from Nick Dametto Mayor of Townsville, during the expo 🎥 (stay tuned - we have the video to prove it! 😄). We had a fantastic conversation with Adam Baillie MP, State Member for Townsville, about the vital work PACT does and the incredible role our volunteers play in the justice system and the broader community.

The exciting news doesn't stop there, our Townsville volunteers may soon be hitting the local radio airwaves 🎙️, and we're hopeful of a future opportunity to speak with the Country Women's Association about volunteering with PACT.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful Townsville volunteers Audrey, Jill, Helen and David. Your energy, humour and willingness to dive in wherever needed made all the difference. We couldn't have done it without you! 💙

If you're interested in volunteering with PACT, we'd love to hear from you.

When she retired, Ann didn’t leave the law behind she found a new way to be part of it.

A self-described ‘lapsed lawyer’, Ann brings both heart and experience to her role supporting victims and witnesses through the court process.

‘It takes real courage for these victims and witnesses to speak up in court. Seeing this courage first-hand stays with you.’

And when asked what she’d say to someone considering volunteering?

‘If you want to have a village, you must be a villager.’

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Thank you, Ann. 💙

Law Week Learn about Law Week.

National Volunteer Week and Queensland Law Week are both this week. We couldn't think of a better person to celebrate than Janet, one of our wonderful Sunshine Coast volunteers. 💛

For the past two and a half years, Janet has helped clients in so many ways - over cups of tea, a game of UNO on the floor, or driving out to a young person's farm to meet them.

"Being able to be there for somebody at an incredibly vulnerable time is a privilege."

We're privileged to have you as part of the PACT family, Janet. 💙

Law Week Learn about Law Week.

This National Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge and sincerely thank every single PACT volunteer for the compassion, care, and support you provide to vulnerable witnesses and victims across our community.

Last week, we were honoured to attend the Volunteering Queensland Awards and celebrate the impact volunteers make across Queensland. It was a meaningful reminder of the power of community, connection, and service, values our volunteers embody every day.

While many moments of volunteering happen quietly and behind the scenes, their impact is deeply felt. Whether it’s offering reassurance during a difficult time, being a calm and supportive presence in court, or simply helping someone feel less alone, our volunteers make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Thank you for the empathy, dedication, and humanity you bring to PACT. Your contribution helps create a more compassionate and supportive community, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you do. 💙

What a spectacular way to start National Volunteer Week (18 – 24 May 2026)

This morning, a group of PACT volunteers and staff attended the Volunteering Queensland Awards at Brisbane City Hall. A wonderful event, shining a light on the extraordinary commitment volunteers make to create a better world for all Queenslanders.

We had much to celebrate.

🌟 Sharon P from Cairns, nominated in the Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award
🌟 Tania T, our Quality and Training Manager - nominated in the Excellence in Volunteer Management Award

Volunteers are the heart of Queensland. They represent the very best of our generosity and kindness. To Sharon, Tania, and every PACT volunteer, we see you, we value you, and we are so grateful for everything you do. 💛

This year’s theme is "Your Year to Volunteer."

If you've been thinking about volunteering with an organisation that genuinely makes a difference, this is your sign.

Visit our website for more information: www.pact.org.au 🙌

Celebrating the care, strength and impact of mothers and mother figures in our communities today and every day. 💜

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a reminder that safety in the workplace extends beyond physical protection, it also includes psychological wellbeing, emotional safety, and the ability to feel supported in your role.
At PACT, working within the justice system, we understand that environments can carry significant emotional and mental demands. Safety is not only about preventing physical harm, but also about recognising stress, vicarious trauma, and the importance of maintaining mental wellbeing in challenging spaces.

It is essential that workplaces foster cultures where people feel safe to speak up, seek support, and take care of their wellbeing without stigma.

Looking after yourself is not a sign of weakness, it is a vital part of sustaining your ability to support others and continue doing meaningful work.

If you are struggling, it is important to reach out and access support. You are not alone, and help is always available.

On ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served at Gallipoli and in conflicts that followed.
The Gallipoli campaign, beginning in 1915, became a defining moment in our shared history. It marked the loss of many lives, and the emergence of the ANZAC spirit, characterised by endurance, mateship, courage and sacrifice in the face of hardship.

We honour all those who served, those who returned forever changed, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.
Today, and always, we reflect on their legacy and the history that continues to shape our national identity.

Lest we forget.