Remembering Sr Janine Bliss FMM

Many readers and ACRATH supporters will be saddened to hear of the recent death of Sr Janine Bliss fmm. Janine played a major role in many ACRATH projects and programs over more than a decade. If you ever looked at the ACRATH calendar or read about ACRATH’s advocacy for seasonal workers in Queensland – then you encountered Janine.

Janine was a fearless advocate for the marginalised and put into action the words of Jesus, found in John’s Gospel, and included as part of ACRATH’s inspiration – “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full”.

Janine, served as the Queensland Regional Coordinator for many years and, consequently, she was a member of the National Committee. She developed the first ACRATH calendar in 2015, calling on many organisations, including Anti-Slavery Australia, Red Cross, and Baptist World Aid, to showcase their work. She said in 2016, “The groups featured in the 2016 calendar are working together in the belief that we can make things better, but we need more people to join the fight but doing what they can in their own families, community or workplace.” The calendar is still produced today.

Through the years Janine became very involved in the plight of seasonal workers in her State, particularly around Bundaberg and worked with community groups for better outcomes for these workers. Christine Carolan, who recently retired as ACRATH’s National Executive Officer said, her strong memory was of Janine’s compassion.

“There was a fire at night at a migrant worker hostel (in Queensland). When she heard, Janine jumped in her car for the five hour drive, supported the workers as they faced their loss, then managed to get financial assistance for each worker to cover their immediate needs,” Christine said.

Bishop of Rockhampton Rev Michael McCarthy, in sharing news of Janine’s death, reminded people that Janine “had reached out to workers helping them to understand their rights as workers in Australia”.

Janine also worked closely with the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba and former ACRATH forced marriage worker Liz Payne to run a series of events at schools and community organisations in Toowoomba to create awareness of the risk of forced marriage and provide support for people in how best to respond.

Rest in peace Janine.