QSuper team takes on Darkness to Daylight Challenge

Knowing too many stories of family and domestic violence (DFV) compelled QSuper staffer Michelle Green to join 45 of her work colleagues in our largest team yet to participate in the Darkness to Daylight Challenge.

The Darkness to Daylight 110-kilometre Challenge — with the number of kilometres symbolising the number of lives lost on average to domestic and family violence each year across Australia — gave each member of the QSuper team (some pictured above) the chance to contribute to bringing DFV out of the darkness.

We are committed to ending domestic and family violence and take an active role within the workplace and the broader community through partnerships and support for organisations in the stand against DFV, as well as advocating for the financial and social wellbeing of women who make up over two-thirds of our membership.

This year, due to the impacts of COVID-19, the Darkness to Daylight Challenge was conducted as a virtual event from 1-30 October with participants able to complete the 110 kilometres during this period.

Our team raised more than $5600 for their efforts and the funds will go towards the prevention of domestic violence and awareness-raising activities.

QSuper staff committed to cause

“My motivation to participate in the 2020 D2D challenge was not only hearing but knowing too many stories of violence in the home, and even one is too many,” Ms Green said. “Throughout my 110 kilometres, I was able to reflect on the challenge that we face as a society to stamp out domestic and family violence and how I can better assist in this fight.”

Challenge participant Bill Brassington, who is the leader of QSuper’s Sponsorship team, said his personal awareness and understanding of DFV had increased significantly through our ongoing commitment to combating domestic and family violence and partnerships with Darkness to Daylight and also DVConnect, Queensland’s leading state-wide crisis response service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“I believe that as a community, if we each make our own personal commitment, no matter how big or small, we can initiate lasting change,” Mr Brassington said.

Victoria Simmonds-Gin, of QSuper’s Member Support and Operations team, said recently taking part in another fundraiser to build and donate children’s bicycles to domestic violence family-support charity RizeUp made her want to do more to support DFV victims.

“I feel that businesses have a duty to promote and support causes. Lots of people are keen to give, whether it be time or money, so when these opportunities arise through the workplace they make it even easier for people to get involved, which in turn helps to promote a positive, giving culture as well as forging new connections with your fellow teammates,” Ms Simmonds-Gin said.

“[It’s] win-win…I would love to see a challenge every month!”

QSuper dedicated to ongoing support

For Ms Green, a big question regarding DFV still remains: “What more can we do as a community?”

“People who face violence in their home require trusted safe havens to flee, financial assistance, counselling services all the way through to some families requiring complete relocation,” she said.

“I’m proud to work for QSuper, an organisation that supports such an important cause and also looks further at ways to continue the good work that is already being done by so many.”

QSuper, Queensland’s oldest and largest superannuation fund, is committed to its ongoing DFV partnerships including with domestic violence hotline DVConnect, Queensland’s leading state-wide crisis response service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As part of the partnership, QSuper funds an additional full-time telephone support officer that enables up to 4,000 extra calls to be answered annually from Queenslanders in need of support.

With so many members supporting victims of domestic violence in their roles as police, nurses, emergency services workers, teachers, child safety and legal officers, QSuper is committed to continuing to support frontline services and help to keep DFV victims safe throughout Queensland.

QSuper was a sponsor of Darkness to Daylight 2020.

Taking a stand

Darkness to Daylight is an initiative of Australia’s CEO Challenge, which is dedicated to a world without domestic and family violence. Learn more here. 

You can call the DVConnect hotlines on

1800 811 811 for women

1800 600 636 for men

For emergency situations call 000