Hackney steps down
Longtime rural queer youth worker Sue Hackney has announced she will step down from her role after nearly 10 years as the driving force behind the WayOut Project.
Hackney said it was with “some sadness” she was stepping down for health reasons and to continue with further studies and travel.
“Its been a hell of a ride — always interesting, often challenging and mostly lots of fun,” she said.
WayOut youth council member Kat Ettwell will step into Hackney’s role in the interim. Hackney pursued a discrimination complaint against a Christian Brethren-run campsite for refusing WayOut use of its facility in 2007.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found Christian Youth Camps (CYC) had refused the young people accommodation based on an objection to their homosexuality and CYC was forced to pay $5000 compensation.
The decision was hailed as potentially having national importance in setting a precedent against religious organisations claiming religious exemptions on discrimination where they are engaged in secular business activities.
During Hackney’s time, the WayOut Project received an honourable mention in Suicide Prevention Australia’s LIFE Awards and Hackney won a Health Hero award at the 2010 ALSO Awards.
Hackney was also a columnist for the Star Observer.
Well do Sue. You have parted the sea of inequality with hard work and determination, and with your big heart. We are now following you on our epic journey to the Promised Land.
You have reached out and saved countless young trembling lives over the years. When people were down you helped them up, when they were unloved you showed them love, and when they were hurt, you tried to heel them. Australia is so much better for having had you do your much needed work.
Your life now has a new chapter opening, and I wish you all the best.
Sue
On behalf of all at the Star family we wish you all the best, and thank you for giving so much, so often to our community.
You will be missed, though I doubt we realise just how much until you are gone.
Thank you
Thank you Sue for all you have done for SSAGQ youth, for fighting the Christian Brethren, alterting us to Geoff Shaw and all the great work that would easily take me beyond the word limit for this post. Our community will miss you. Take care of yourself and all the best for the future.