Child & Adoption Advocacy

Lisa Dibb: A Life Dedicated to Adoption Support and Child Advocacy

At Stephen Dibb Jewellery, we take immense pride in not only crafting exquisite, world-class jewellery but also in the meaningful contributions of our team to the community. Lisa Dibb, Stephen’s wife, has dedicated over 20 years to volunteer work in adoption support and child advocacy. This vital work has been made possible through the financial and personal support of Stephen Dibb Jewellery, as well as Stephen’s unwavering encouragement and involvement in Lisa’s projects.

Queensland Alliance for Kids (QAK)

In 2013, Lisa Dibb, alongside friends, co-founded the Queensland Alliance for Kids (QAK) to address the deeply concerning issue of instability faced by children in Queensland foster care. At the time, children often endured up to 35 placements, with little hope of securing a permanent family.

Thanks to QAK’s relentless advocacy, life-changing reforms have been enacted, including a legislative amendment imposing a two-year time limit for these vulnerable children to find a permanent family. Thousands of children have benefited from these initiatives.

QAK continues to work closely with organizations like Deborra-lee Furness’ Adopt Change, which has achieved major success at the federal level and in New South Wales. Lisa has actively collaborated with Adopt Change for over two decade, furthering the cause of permanency and stability for children in need.

Improving Queensland Adoption

President of International Adoptive Families of Queensland (IAFQ): During her two-year tenure, Lisa influenced adoption parental education, streamlined adoption and child safety legislation, and reduced bureaucratic red tape. Ten of Lisa’s 16 recommendations were implemented by the Queensland Department of Child Safety.

Stopped an 8 Year Closure of Qld Adoption

With friends, Lisa was instrumental in stopping the closure & securing a commitment to 200 applications going overseas for intercountry adoptions in the following two years.

Ethiopian Cultural and Adoption Connections

Lisa Dibb’s work also extends to promoting cultural connection for inter-country adoptees. Understanding the importance of cultural identity, Lisa has led various initiatives to support Ethiopian adoptees in forming blended, healthy identities.

Lisa has coordinated dance classes, cooking days, hair-styling workshops, and celebrations with the local Ethiopian community for over 18 years.

Empowering Ethiopian Adoptees Through the Arts

Lisa has dedicated over 14 years to nurturing Ethiopian dance and culture:

• Founded an Ethiopian dance group for adopted children.
• Managed the Ethiopia Bahil Dance Group from 2013 to 2017.
• Lisa and Stephen took seven young performers to the prestigious Woodford Folk Festival in 2014 and 2016.

Educational Initiatives

Lisa has co-authored a book to guide Australians adopting from Ethiopia, raising over $50,000 for Ethiopian charities. She also produced two Ethiopian language CDs (Amharic), with all proceeds supporting Ethiopian communities.

Speaking and Advocacy

• Lisa regularly shares her insights and experiences through public speaking and media engagements:
• Speaker at Adopt Change conferences and the 2017 and 2018 National Permanency Conferences.
• Featured in various media outlets, including The Cairns Post, Courier Mail, and The Epoch Times.
• Advocate at events like Parliamentary Friends of Adoption and public screenings of Lion the movie.

Recognition and Impact

Lisa and Stephen’s combined efforts in charity and advocacy were recognized when they received the Lord Mayor’s Business Award for Corporate Citizenship, sponsored by Clayton Utz. Lisa’s work continues to inspire and change lives, ensuring children find loving, permanent families and adoptees thrive in a supportive, culturally rich environment.

Lisa Dibb’s dedication exemplifies the values at the heart of Stephen Dibb Jewellery: a commitment to excellence, community, and compassion..

More About Lisa’s Advocacy Work:

• • Lisa Dibb on the Radio.
  • Lisa Dibb one of the speakers at the special screening of Lion the movie.
  • Lisa Dibb talks about low adoption numbers in Queensland & Australia in the Cairns Post and Courier Mail.
  • Lisa Dibb quoted in The Epoch Times.