Calling from afar in Auckland, I seek your support to come and check out my art pieces exhibited at Pullman Kuching in aid of charity for the Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group. Every piece you purchase will go to the fund raising for the cause. Please come and support. Thanks so much.

interviewed and written by Priscilla Poul Q: Before becoming President in 1994, you were already actively involved with SWWS. Could you tell us about your journey? I first joined SWWS as a volunteer after seeing a call for volunteers. Much of my involvement was with the Crisis Phone Line, where I eventually became the coordinator. Looking back, I realised that before I became President, I had already devoted much of my energy to setting up and strengthening the phone line. Our work involved much more than answering telephone calls. We developed procedures, documented cases, coordinated volunteers, and built a resource directory by contacting various government departments and agencies. There was no internet or Google at that time, so every piece of information had to be gathered manually. To prepare ourselves, SWWS organised specialised training. I attended programmes conducted by Women's Crisis Centre Penang (now Women’s Centre for Change), Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Befrienders Kuala Lumpur and Samaritans of Singapore. These experiences taught us crisis intervention, active listening and volunteer management, and became the foundation for the Crisis Phone Line in Sarawak. Q: What do you remember most about your presidency? I became President in 1994 when I was only 32 years old, shortly after the Domestic Violence Act was passed by Parliament. The most memorable achievement during my presidency was establishing SWWS's first Drop-in Centre at Batu Lintang. I still remember signing the tenancy agreement with Yayasan Sarawak together with our Secretary, Sheila. It was an exciting moment because we finally had a place where women could seek support. We had very little money. We renovated the premises ourselves. We wanted an open space for activities and only one counselling room. We bought inexpensive flooring, hung donated curtains, and furnished the office with sofas and cushions contributed by volunteers and supporters. Everyone gave whatever they could. Looking back now, it is amazing to think how much was achieved with so few resources. Q: Besides providing support services, SWWS also organised advocacy campaigns. Could you share one that stands out? One event I remember clearly was our public awareness march from the Drop-in Centre to the Wisma SABERKAS. It may have been a short march, but it carried an important message. At that time, domestic violence was rarely discussed openly. Society generally expected women to remain silent, be obedient and endure abuse within the family. Through the march, we wanted people to understand that violence against women was unacceptable and that women deserved protection, dignity and justice. My own children joined the march, and years later they still remembered participating in it. Q: What was it like responding directly to women experiencing domestic violence? Many of the cases were heart breaking. Sometimes we received calls from women who had been severely assaulted. We did not simply answer the phone; we went out to help them. There were occasions when we visited homes to rescue women from abusive situations and accompanied them to hospital. Looking back, we never really thought about the risks to ourselves. Our priority was simply to ensure that these women reached safety. In those days, before shelters were established, some women even stayed overnight in volunteers' homes because there was nowhere else for them to go. Q: How important was volunteer training? Training was absolutely essential. We wanted our volunteers to be equipped to handle crisis situations properly, so SWWS invested in learning from organisations with more experience. I remember visiting Samaritans of Singapore where volunteers managed calls around the clock from people facing severe emotional crises. It was a highly professional service. Learning from organisations such as WAO, Women's Crisis Centre Penang and Befrienders gave us confidence to establish similar support services in Sarawak. We also introduced guidelines for volunteers, including using first names only and ensuring volunteers always had someone to debrief with after difficult calls. Q: Looking back after 40 years, what does SWWS mean to you? When I look at SWWS today, I think of a seed that has grown into a tree. In the beginning, we planted that seed with hope. Today, it has grown into a strong organisation that continues to support women, advocate for gender equality and raise awareness throughout Sarawak. I also feel that SWWS changed me personally. The experience gave me confidence; not only as a volunteer and leader, but also as a woman. It taught me to speak up, believe in myself and feel comfortable being a woman with a voice. That, to me, is what empowerment truly means. Joanne Lau with the painting she created and generously gifted to SWWS. The artwork symbolises her reflection on the Society's journey; a seed planted by a small group of determined women that has grown into a beautiful,ever-growing tree, rooted in compassion, advocacy and service.

The golden phenomenon is the time of our life when the children have flown the cuckoo’s nest. We have time to travel and enjoy watching the golden sunsets around the world. It is also a time for reflection, how we have lived our lives in preparation for the final destination of our life’s journey.

Introducing the judges for our La Promenade Young Artists Contest! Hoan Kee Huang is the founder of Hoan Gallery, which is named after him. His artworks are known for their intricate details and realism, reflecting his deep passion and dedication to art. Angelina Bong is one of the three partners of Artavern Art Space. Besides being an incredible artist and poet, she regularly hosts art workshops at Artavern, nurturing creativity within the community. Joanne Lau is a contemporary semi-abstract expressionist artist who transforms her senses of sight, sound, and emotion into vibrant, striking artworks. Through her pieces, viewers are invited into a world rich with feeling and imagination.

The treehouse nestled among the trees When the leaves are red and the colour is gold, my favourite season has arrived.

Naturally, the Sarawakian in me comes out in this new painting done after my arrival back here.

Hi. Recently, I have been advised to downsize my paintings to miniature versions so that they are made more affordable to collectors and they are good for house decor in corners. I have happily painted these in time for the closing of 2025 and Christmas. Kindly check them out and email me if you’re interested.

It was an honour for me to participate in the Trusts 38th Art Exhibition at Corban Arts Centre under Waitakere Arts, Auckland. I painted, An Evening in Moire Park and I am very happy with the outcome. Love this piece. It has depth and the 3D effect. My focus is on the main tree trunk.