Past Events and Advocacy

International Women’s Day 2026 “Give to Gain”

Friday 6th March, 2026. 54 Reasons International Women’s Day Event, Camillo.

With this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Give to Gain, we were reminded that the gift of group fitness is a powerful one. To give your energy to a group fitness class is also to gain hope.

The gift of group fitness offers far more than just physical results. It creates connection, support, and a sense of belonging while improving both physical and mental wellbeing. This combination is powerful in the empowerment of women and the advocacy of women’s rights.

Group fitness provides an inclusive space for women from diverse backgrounds. No individual should be excluded from accessing these services and the benefits they provide.

Sarah was invited to provide a group fitness demonstration, along with a talk sharing how her lived experience with exercise has profoundly changed her life, highlighting its role in building strength, resilience, and confidence.

Dance Against Family & Domestic Violence – Part II

Saturday 29th November, 2025. Byford Secondary College.

A three-hour community Zumba dance-a-thon event, raising awareness and vital funds for the ROSE Program.

Community members came together to stand against violence and support healing through movement during the 16 Days in WA time of activism against gender-based violence.

Thank you to our Alcoa our Community Sponsor for this event.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – WA Launch Event & ROSE Program Introduction

Friday 28th November, 2025. Byford & Districts Country Club.

An initiative led by the Sarah Ford Foundation to promote awareness, prevention and the launch of the ROSE program supporting women impacted by family and domestic violence.

Thank you to Jolene Ellat, CEO of the DART Institute for your powerful presentation.

You can find more out about the DART Institute by following the link below:

DART Institute Domestic Abuse Resource Training

Thank you to Alcoa our Community Sponsor for this event.

The Sarah Ford Foundation would also like to thank all of those who attended including: Hugh Jones MLA, Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire President Rob Coales, Armadale and Fremantle District Police Services, Ovis, Ruah, Byford Co.Lab and the members of the community.

Ride Against Domestic Violence Advocacy

16th November, 2025. Byford, WA.

The Ride Against Domestic Violence stopped in Byford for a well earned break and some refreshments, whilst raising awareness and funds for family and domestic violence (FDV) service providers such as Starick Services.

Sarah was kindly invited along by Hugh Jones MLA, to meet with the group and advocate for exercise as medicine and the ROSE Program, the group exercise program for women who are experiencing or who are victim-survivors of FDV.

Sarah would like to thank Hugh Jones and his team, WA Premier Roger Cook and the team for their time and support of the ROSE Program.

Waullo Dawn Healing Service and Yorgum Healing Services

Friday 27th October, 2025. Waullo Dawn Healing Service (address upon request)

Waullo Dawn is the FDV hub jointly established by HOPE and Yorgum, in partnership with Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services, Women’s Legal Service WA, Aboriginal Legal Services of WA, Ngala, Ruah Community Services, 360 Health + Community and Marmun Mia-Mia.

Sarah was invited to talk to senior members of staff from both services about their work and advocacy in this space. We very much hope that we can work together in the future.

Sarah wishes to thank the staff of Waullo Dawn and Yorgum Healing Services for their time and for making her feel so welcome. The work you do for our community is outstanding.

Crossways Community Services, Exercise, Women and Mental Health Advocacy. WA Mental Health Week

Wednesday 9th October, 2024. Crossways Community Services, Armadale.

WA Mental Health Week is a wonderful time to advocate for the positive effect that exercise has on mental health. The theme for 2024 was “Empowering communities, thriving workforces: a journey towards investing in our mental health.”

Sarah gave a lunch time presentation about how exercise can assist with the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and gave some simple ideas about how to integrate exercise into daily life.

This was followed by questions from the wonderful community of women that gather there weekly.

Thank you for Crossways for inviting Sarah along to share this important information.

Challis Ladies High Tea

Tuesday 16th May, 2023

Sarah was privileged to be asked to be guest speaker at Challis Community Primary School . The theme this year was to “embrace and love your Mind, Body and Soul”
It was a beautiful afternoon with such care and love shown to the pupils and their mothers. It was truly magnificent.

Sarah was invited to speak about the Foundation and the power of group exercise for both physical and mental health and how we will be specifically sharing our services with women who are currently experiencing or who are victim-survivors of family and domestic violence (FDV), poverty and homelessness. Sarah was asked to share some of her lived-experience.

The Sarah Ford Foundation would like to thank Principal Lee Musumeci for this unique opportunity to attend and be a part of something so significant for the school and so beautifully delivered.

Dr Toni Buti MLA for Armadale

28th April, 2023, Armadale, WA.

Sarah met with Dr Toni Buti MLA for Armadale and discussed the Sarah Ford Foundation and it’s plan to offer a group fitness service for women who are currently experiencing or who are victim-survivors of family and domestic violence (FDV). Sarah spoke with Dr Buti about plans for upcoming FDV Hub in Armadale and how group exercise could be used as an adjunct treatment alongside more traditional treatment methodologies to assist in reducing the negative symtoms of mental health.

The Sarah Ford Foundation would like to thank Dr Toni Buti for his time in listening to Sarah’s passionate advocacy for this service.