Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton - Issue No.: 780 Issue Date: 15 Apr, 2024

Laurie Dines then returned to his feet to introduce Dr. Johnson, Social worker extraordinaire.       You can follow her story and work on familicide by connecting with;

Carolyn Harris Johnson understanding familicide-ABC;                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/carolyn-harris-johnson

At the commencement of her talk Dr. Johnson asked Club members if we had ever taken the time to analyize the outcomes and results of the community initiatives we had undertaken. 

The reason for her question soon became evident and she displayed a great talent for story-telling as she told the story of a conversation she had with a prisoner during a work related project.          

The prisoner had spent her teenage years being abused by her father. When she left home her father followed her and the abuse continued.  Eventually, the girl found a boyfriend and they were very happy together. But, when they got married serious abuse started again.     

The prisoner planned her husbands demise, committed murder, and was charged with a premeditated offence and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.  

During a subsequent visit to the prison Dr. Johnson discovered that the prisoner was now seriously doubting her self worth. Dr. Johnson explained that she had commenced her studies as a mature student and then obtained her Doctorate. 

Dr. Johnson explained that the opportunities for further study were available in prison and that the prisoner could change her life if she followed this path.       

Ten years later, at a Conferance which had a number of speakers, Dr. Johnson recognised one of the speakers as the prisoner she had councelled. The prisoner had taked the Doctors advice and gained qualifications through her studies.

And in this case Dr. Johnson was not " making a difference".                                            Dr. Johnson "was" the difference!

Carpe Diem.