Published March 2025
Standing outside a courtroom ten years ago to take action against the domestic violence (DV) perpetrator in her life, Elisa McMahon vowed one day she would help other women in her shoes.
“I just remember being so scared in that moment and thinking that when I could, I would do anything to be able to help women that maybe didn’t have the strength that I had in a similar situation,” Ms McMahon said.
“Fast forward 10 years, now that I’ve rebuilt my wealth running a successful business, I really feel like it’s my time to do something and help make a difference for these women and the children.”
Ms McMahon, who now owns her own real estate business, will be the Presenting Partner and has entered a fundraising team for the Epic Walk for DV on March 30 to fundraise for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ).
She has previously supported the walk, as well as donating a house sale commission of $20,000 as an auction item for WLSQ.
She loves that WLSQ is not a handout, but a hand up.
“DV is something that’s so hidden. You don’t necessarily realise that it’s people of all walks of life and people in your own life who are affected,” Ms McMahon said.
WLSQ CEO Nadia Bromley emphasised there is a long way to go to solve the domestic violence crisis, and they still sometimes receive more calls than they can take in a day.
“This Epic Walk is a really important event, because this event is about… giving people who have experienced violence a safe space where they can feel supported, and raising money so we can do something about it,” she said.
“So many people say what a great job (WLSQ) does, and we do an amazing job, but we are at the end of the story, after something bad has happened.
“These amazing people are helping change the beginning of that story… we are so grateful,” she said.
The Epic Walk for DV fundraiser was established four years ago by Hamilton couple Brendon Mann and Brendan Smith, and this year their fundraising target is $300,000.
“We need 2,000 walkers and we need your help to make this happen,” Mr Mann said.
Mr Mann is the founder of Epic Hair Designs, and between their hairdressing clients and Mr Smith’s work as a journalist, they have seen firsthand the effects of domestic violence.
“The walk itself is a fantastic day filled with important conversations, and a shared commitment to change,” he said.
The walk has expanded for the first time and will be held at Airlie Beach simultaneously to the New Farm Park route.
To sign up for the Epic Walk for DV, head to epicwalkfordv.com.au.
