When the Year Starts at Full Speed – Reflections on the Rush into 2026

4 days ago
3 min read

Some years begin gently.

2026 did not.

We have already moved beyond March, not with precision or perfect coordination, but at full pace, racing into April.

Somewhere between late-night emails, early-morning planning sessions, and weekends spent at the computer, balancing full-time work and charity, we looked up and thought… is it already Easter?

And we are still catching our breath.

Behind the scenes at Broken to Brilliant, the first quarter of the year has unfolded at a pace that feels both exhilarating and overwhelming. Like many small charities powered by passionate volunteers, the start of the year has been a whirlwind, preparing existing programs, developing new ones, planning our Ten Brilliant Years celebration, High Tea, education sessions, and responding to invitations to speak.

At times, it feels like we are running to keep up.

But it is also a powerful reminder of how far our community has grown.

A Year Already Full of Momentum

In the very first week of the year, while many were still enjoying the festive season, we delivered a Police Recruit lived-experience session.

In just the first few months of 2026, we have:

Completed a legal review, proofreading, testimonials, chapter reviews, and print proof for our fifth book, titled Violence to Victory
Delivered the two-day VOICE program - Voices of Influence, Courage & Expression for ten survivors
We have already presented three lived-experience training sessions for Queensland Police recruits. This means that since November 2022, we have now delivered more than 33 sessions to over 2,600 recruits, continuing to strengthen frontline understanding of domestic violence.
Participated in two International Women’s Day panels,
speaking to over 300 people
Joined ABC Radio to discuss survivor voices and long-term recovery
Held our Strategic Planning Day led by Prosper Consulting
We have held two face-to-face Financial Superwomen workshops, one in Redlands, QLD and one in Sunbury, Victoria. Also, there have been two online webinars; these are on the fourth Monday of the month (Feb to Oct). The topics covered:
- Kate, the Founding Director of Domestic Violence Survivor-Led Charity, ‘Broken to Brilliant’, unveiled our 2026 program and how to sign up and receive support.
- Kim from McCarthy Dury Lawyers took us through details on Wills and Estates.
- Our next session on Monday, April 27, at 7 pm is Financial Investment Options. Register here

All while working full time, answering a constant stream of emails, and coordinating the moving parts of a survivor-led charity.

And that is before we mention the planning underway for something very special.

Celebrating Ten Brilliant Years

Broken to Brilliant Charity and launch of first book, Strathpine Library, 26th May 2016.

This year marks ten years since Broken to Brilliant was launched.

What began as an idea over 15 years ago, in 2013, we started writing our first book. The charity became official in 2015, and we launched in 2016 at Strathpine Library. That courageous idea has grown into a survivor-founded, survivor-led charity supporting thousands of people to recover, heal, and rebuild their lives.

To mark this milestone, we are planning a special forum to reflect

on the past decade and look ahead.

Join us on

📅 Sunday 24 May 2026

🕘 9:00 am – 3:45 pm

📍 Royal on the Park

🎟 $120 per person

We would be honoured to welcome you.

Book your ticket here

We thank our Gold Sponsor, Bennett & Philp Lawyers, for their support.

The Invisible Work Behind the Work

What people often see are the programs, events, books, and public speaking.

What they do not always see is the quiet work happening late at night or early in the morning.

The editing.
The reviewing.
The planning.
The emails.
The governance.
The logistics.
The coordination.
The writing and rewriting.

If we have been a little quiet on the blog so far this year, it is because we have been deeply immersed in the work.

Looking Ahead

We have new programs, such as Creative Therapies Movement and Art Workshop, our Burliegh North Connection Walk, ready to support survivors focusing on healing, rebuilding confidence, strengthening financial independence, and amplifying survivor voices.

We have our fifth book about to be released, titled Violence to Victory.

And we have a community that continues to stand beside this work.

Sometimes the rush reminds us how important it is to pause.

To reflect.
To acknowledge progress.
To recognise the dedication behind the work.
And to remember why we began.

Over ten years ago, Broken to Brilliant was an idea.

Today, it is a community.

If you would like to be part of this journey, whether by attending a program, sharing our work, or supporting a survivor, attending our Ten Brilliant Years’ celebration, visit our website, follow along, and stay connected.