From Sharyn Potts, Executive Officer at Yarredi Services
The South Australian women’s safety sector, and particularly the team at Yarredi Services, are very sad to hear of the passing of Moira Shannon OAM on 15/2/2022. Moira was the founder and first director of what is now Yarredi Services, having established the women’s shelter in Port Lincoln in 1978. She advocated strongly in the community at a time when the women’s movement was in its early stages – which was no mean feat.
Moira was also a valued member and advocate of the women’s shelter movement at both State and Federal levels, participating in sector forums and government advisory groups. She was a dedicated and determined woman who saw a need and did not rest until that need was addressed.
Moira led and supported her staff and colleagues to ensure and enable the empowerment of Yarredi Services’ client target group for 20 years before passing the baton in 1998. She was also active and a driving force in the establishment of many other community services in Port Lincoln including the youth shelter, Al-Anon Family Groups, Befrienders Club, and Lifeline.
Moira Shannon was an amazing woman who forged the way for so many and we are forever proud of her. Her accolades include the Tunarama Citizen of the Year Award in 1984, the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993, the South Australian Senior of the Year Award in 2000, the Member of the Order of Australia in 2007, and the Zonta Club’s Women of Achievement Award in 2009.
As Yarredi’s Chairperson Andrea Broadfoot said on hearing of Moira’s passing, “Yarredi is an amazing organisation doing incredible work every day, and all you and the team do is a wonderful legacy for Moira’s commitment to women and children experiencing family violence in our community…We are very grateful you are there to provide the support and services you do.”