Dr Karen Demmery, Wiradjuri woman, mental health first aid and trauma counsellor, and trainer/facilitator, has received Lifeline Canberra’s 2023 Women of Spirit Award, honouring women in the community who have overcome adversity, given back, and inspired others to do the same.

Dr Demmery is the founder of Burbirra, a business consulting, training, and counselling company, and of not-for-profit Spirit Hive, an organisation that supports people at risk of suicide, self-harm, and other damaging behaviours arising from mental health issues. She has worked in the field of health and wellbeing for more than a decade, and overcome addiction and depression.

“I always wanted to look at giving back, because I wanted to be what someone else was for me when I was going through my darkest time,” Dr Demmery said. “The fact that I’m standing here before you now getting recognition for that is just really cool!”

Dr Demmery said she never expected any kind of recognition: “We just continue to do this sort of thing because that’s what we do.”

She thanked her husband and, in particular, her son, “who helped me to get to that point where I wanted to make my life better”.

“He looked at me one day, and said: ‘Who are you, and what have you done with my mother?’ That was enough for me to then be able to go ‘I need to make a difference’, because I didn’t want my grandkids that aren’t even here yet on that same path.”

Dr Demmery was chosen from a pool of 11 nominees.

Franchesca Isla received the Rising Women of Spirit Award, which recognises women who have only recently overcome adversity, yet are still achieving amazing outcomes in the community.

Ms Isla is a counsellor for Toora Women Inc, a support service for women impacted by violence, homelessness, the criminal justice system, or alcohol and drug dependency. She created the Brave blog program for bullying prevention charity Bully Zero Australia. 

“There have been moments in my life where I have sat in the pits of vulnerability, pleading with Fate to go easy on me,” Ms Isla said. “It is in these same moments where I have questioned why life has been so hard, and why me, and what did I do to deserve these trials. In those moments, I never in a million years would have imagined standing here today accepting this award.”

She thanked her two little daughters. “It is because of them that I have been inspired to turn my pain into purpose. The lightest and bravest option always look like creating good out of the hurt, stopping the cycle of violence, and responding with forgiveness every time.

“I am humbled and truly touched by this recognition,” Ms Isla said. “I feel honoured to stand alongside incredible women who have made it their mission to will good in this world, despite their sadness.”

“Women of spirit are often hidden in our community, quietly working away and giving their time to lift up others and support vital causes,” Lifeline Canberra CEO Carrie Leeson said. “For this reason, each year we ask Canberrans to help us uncover women of spirit in our community so we can recognise their efforts and tell their important and inspiring stories.”

The 2023 Women of Spirit Awards were presented at a luncheon at the National Gallery of Australia’s Gandel Hall on Tuesday 15 August. Guests enjoyed entertainment from the Prettirinas musical duo and heard from keynote speaker Jenny Heddle, lived experience advocate. 

Lifeline Canberra and their presenting partner, Icon Water, are proud to bring attention and awareness to the outstanding work of the 2023 Women of Spirit Award nominees. 

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