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Meet Rochelle

The Queenager Files

What is your favourite part of being a Queenager?

I think my favourite part of being a Queenager is being able to look in the mirror and genuinely like the woman staring back at me.

Oh yes, she’s a little wrinklier these days, and the grey roots are definitely starting to shine through, but at her core, I like who she is. And perhaps even more importantly, I really don’t care if everyone else does.

I didn’t always feel this way.

I grew up not liking myself very much and not seeing my own value. As a result, I spent the first half of my life people-pleasing, seeking approval, and often treating myself far less kindly than I treated everyone else.

Somewhere along the way, that changed.

Being a Queenager has taught me that my worth isn’t determined by what others think of me. It’s determined by what I think of me.
So if I had to choose my favourite part of being a Queenager, it would be this: finally being comfortable in my own skin and genuinely liking the woman I’ve become.

Life isn't always kind. If you're happy to share, what has been one of the toughest parts of your journey and what helped you through it?

To be honest, there have been a few tough chapters in my life, but hand on heart, nothing compares to the heartbreak of losing Kai to SIDS.
Kai was my great-nephew, but families are funny things. His mum, Danielle, is my niece, yet she has always felt much more like a daughter to me. Life dealt her some tough cards growing up, and over the years we’ve shared many of life’s biggest moments together. When she was pregnant, I was often the first phone call. Her babies have always felt like my babies too.

I will never forget getting the call from Danielle telling me to come to the hospital because Kai had stopped breathing.
I sat beside her for hours, holding her while she held her beautiful baby boy, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to take her pain away.
I am a fixer by nature. I like solving problems, helping people and making things better. But in that moment, I was completely powerless.
Even now, it still brings tears to my eyes.

Every birthday, every milestone, every moment that Kai should have been here growing up alongside his brother and cousins leaves a little ache in my heart.

What helped us through was love. The love of family, the support of friends, and simply showing up for one another when there were no words that could make it better.
I cannot begin to understand the depth of the loss that Danielle and Matt carry every day, but I do know this: Kai mattered, Kai was deeply loved, and Kai will forever be part of our family story.

What has been one of the most joyful moments of your life so far?

There is no doubt that after years of trying to fall pregnant, holding my baby girl in my arms for the very first time was one of the most joyful moments of my life. That kind of love is almost impossible to measure against anything else.

These days though, being a Nanny brings me the greatest joy imaginable. I have five beautiful grandchildren and they absolutely light up my world. You genuinely cannot wipe the smile off my face when I’m with them. They make my heart feel like it might burst.

One of my happiest memories happened earlier this year when our whole family travelled to Fiji together. It started as a simple plan for Shayne and me to celebrate my 55th birthday — all the fives! Then I invited my daughters and their families. I mentioned it in the family group chat and before I knew it, nieces, nephews and their families were booking flights too. Nineteen of us ended up there together. Then, just to make it even more special, my niece Danielle and her partner Matt surprised everyone by getting married while we were there. Having my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and the people I love most all in one place felt like Christmas Day that lasted an entire week. There were endless games with the kids, long conversations with my grown-up babies, plenty of laughter, a few pina coladas, and countless moments where I found myself looking around and thinking, “This is it. This is what life is all about.”
I was in absolute heaven.

Who are the women (or people) who have made your life better and why?

My family, of course, have shaped who I am, but if I had to choose the people who have made my life better, it would start with my four best girlfriends.
We have been friends for more than four decades and there is something incredibly special about having people who have loved you through every chapter of your life. They have seen me at my best and my worst. They’ve celebrated the highs, sat beside me through the lows, and loved me unconditionally through all of it.
That kind of friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts.

And then there is Shayne.
Fifteen years ago, when I met him, I genuinely believed I would spend the rest of my life alone. The truth is, I didn’t think I deserved to be loved.
My experiences with men had taught me something very different.
My biological father was violent towards my mother. He left when I was young and never looked back to see whether his only daughter was alive, thriving, struggling or succeeding. Then came relationships that repeated many of those same patterns, leaving me questioning my own worth.
So when Shayne came along, I did everything I could to push him away.
I didn’t trust it.
I didn’t trust him.
And if I’m being really honest, I didn’t trust that someone could love me the way I deserved to be loved.
But he stayed.
Patiently, consistently and without asking me to be anyone other than myself.
The love, safety and security I feel with my husband today is hard to put into words. He helped me see my own value when I couldn’t always see it myself. He showed me that love shouldn’t hurt, that respect matters, and that I was worthy of being loved exactly as I am.

Between my girlfriends who have walked beside me for decades and the man who taught me what safe love feels like, I am incredibly grateful for the people who helped me become the woman I am today.

What words of wisdom would you share with younger women, and what are you most looking forward to in your own future?

For what it’s worth, my biggest piece of advice is this: get a therapist. Cynthia Morton changed my life! Seriously.
Unpack your shit sandwiches lunchbox before it causes pain for you and the people around you.
I spent decades carrying around things I didn’t understand and hadn’t dealt with. Looking back now, I can see how much that shaped my life. It showed up as perfectionism, people-pleasing, eating disorders, workaholism, obesity and a constant feeling that I wasn’t enough.
The list goes on.
I often wonder how different parts of my life might have been if I’d done the work earlier.
We are very good at looking after our physical health. We get our blood tests done, we exercise, we take vitamins and see specialists when something hurts.
Why don’t we treat our emotional health the same way?
Your mental and emotional wellbeing deserves exactly the same attention as your physical health.

As for the future, I genuinely believe the best is yet to come.
I always joke that I plan on living until I’m 105, but I mean it when I say I want to get there with a sharp mind, a strong body and a heart that is still full of curiosity and kindness. That’s why I walk, lift weights, work on my health and keep learning.
I want the second half of my life to be filled with joy.
Not success. Not achievements. Not more stuff.
Joy.
Time with the people I love. Adventures. Grandchildren. Purposeful work. Lots of laughter. More Wednesdays with Lola. More memories with family and friends.
And perhaps most importantly, I want this chapter to include the kindness I so freely give to everyone else being directed back towards myself.

Because that’s something Queenager me is finally learning: I deserve that kindness too.

And one final sentence: Being a Queenager means…

Stock only

Raise $5,000

Looking for a more approachable goal with the same big impact? This option makes it easier for individuals, schools, workplaces, or community champions to make a difference.

By funding the stock for a machine at a local school, community space or workplace you are actively fighting period poverty and ensuring menstrual equity in your community.

$5,000 will cover the cost of unlimited stock access for a Share the Dignity approved site for a year.

Register your fundraiser

Upfront + Annual or PAYG stock

Raise $11,000

Raise $11,000 upfront to cover the cost of the machine, installation, technical support & maintenance, and stock for 1 year.

For independant sites, the host site agrees to manage the onging cost of $5000 annually for support and unlimited stock access or $575 per carton (200) in a pay-as-you-go capacity for a 3 year term.

For community sites chosen by Share the Dignity, Share the Dignity will join fundraising campaigns to fund ongoing costs.* (T&C’s apply)

*Supply Agreements required. Share the Dignity Approved sites only.

Register your fundraiser

All-inclusive upfront (4 years, unlimited stock)

Raise $26,000

Raise $26,000 (incl. GST) to fully fund a Dignity Vending Machine, ongoing stock, and support for 4 years — with unlimited Period Pack stock included. No annual fees, just set and support.

If you’re fundraising for a DVM at your own independent site, you’ll need to secure and share full site approval before we can launch your fundraiser.

*Supply Agreements required. Share the Dignity Approved sites only.

Register your fundraiser

Partner with Share the Dignity to make a difference

Your partnership doesn’t just fund our work; it creates real change. It sparks national conversations, brings communities together, and ensures that no one has to face the shame or hardship of menstrual inequity alone.

Learn more

Further your impact for International Women’s Day

This March, you can raise funds for Share the Dignity by hosting your own International Women’s Day fundraiser with your workplace. Simply sign up today and your support will help those experiencing menstrual inequity.

Learn more

Take it one step further and give back while providing period products

Our specially designed and easy to maintain Dignity Dispensers and Dignity Vending Machines provide an easy way for you to ensure your employees or customers can access free period products, all while supporting Share the Dignity.

Learn more

Provide period & menopause leave

Example wording

You can use this period and menopause leave as an example of what you could add to your current leave policy. *Organisation Name* provides an additional form of Personal Leave for Employees who may be experiencing severe symptoms related to their Period or Menopause. Employees can access up to four days paid leave (pro-rata for part time staff) per year. The leave is a separate entitlement to Personal / Carer’s Leave, does not accrue and is not paid out upon termination. *Note: This wording is only an example and every organisation will have different conditions to take into account when implementing and creating a period/menopause leave policy.

Working nearly ten years in the construction industry, I’ve learned how much the small, practical things on site can shape your experience of work.

For a long time, managing my period while working as a carpenter meant constantly thinking about logistics. Was there a toilet? How far away was it? Would I need to bring my own supplies? Was there somewhere to wash my hands properly? It was something I quietly planned around each month, and there were even times I used medication to try and stop my period altogether so I wouldn’t have to navigate the lack of facilities on site.

I now work in a workplace where these things are considered, and it made me realise just how much mental space I’d been using without noticing. Not having to think about basic facilities has taken a weight off and allowed me to focus fully on the job at hand. It’s a small shift that makes a big difference.

If we want to see more women enter and stay in construction, we need to create sites that support them being there. Accessible toilets, hygienic disposal options, and proper places to wash your hands shouldn’t be an afterthought. When those basics are in place, women can work safely, comfortably, and with dignity.

It’s a simple change that helps build better, more inclusive workplaces for everyone.

– Bardie Somerville

There were no sanitary bins at any point in time when I was based on site as a tradie, and it was just something that you wouldn’t even suggest or bring up in conversation, at all.

When I first started on site, I got the very real and quite intense experience of, “they don’t want me here, and they’re going to make it as uncomfortable as possible and they’re going to see what it is that makes me break.” I’ve been that person that has been locked in Portaloos repeatedly, pushed over in them, that happened quite a bit. At one point, they used my lunchbox as a toilet and thought that was hilarious, they would vandalise my tools, all the verbal stuff, the things they’d say, it was just relentless.

By no means am I the resilient person who can take all that stuff. I would go home and cry and just think, “how can anyone think this is okay?” I didn’t feel safe, there was always anxiety and layers upon layers of things I had to think about before I even did something.

This culminated in a particularly hard day trying to navigate using the bathroom on site. There was no female bathroom on site, so quite often I would not go – I would dehydrate myself, I would eat and drink very little so I wouldn’t need to use the bathroom. But when I did have to go, I would have to announce myself. On this day, a group of men followed me into the cubicles, made threats and humiliated me for 40 minutes. I just broke down and thought, “I can’t do this anymore.” Then the site manager stepped in and saved me. He was the first man on site who actually listened – he said, “This is not okay, and those guys aren’t going to be here anymore. I’m so sorry this is happening, I didn’t know and I should’ve known. Let’s fix this.” That simple act of support changed everything.

That was the first instance where things changed, including getting a sanitary bin, but throughout my career, there was always the same type of mindset of, “you don’t belong here, you’re not good enough, why do you need special treatment?” It’s not special treatment, it’s the same – just because we need different things, doesn’t mean it’s a special treatment. All of those things have continued for 30 years. Yes, some things have changed for the better, yes, we’re able to have more open conversations about the challenges women face, but they have certainly not disappeared, they’re not gone.

– Jo Farrell

Listen to the Podcast Watch on YouTube

Why Register Your Charity With Us?

Registering your charity with Share the Dignity means joining a network of organisations committed to ensuring menstrual equity for all.

You will be able to place requests with us for period products including pads, tampons, period underwear and more, as well as Bags packed with essentials for Adults, Teens and Mums with new Bubs. Requests are open throughout the year, with the months of December to August open for period products and September to November for bags.

Our dedicated volunteer network is then called to action to deliver these items to you, after our key drives in March, August and November.

A Step-by-Step Overview

How to Register and Request Donations

Step 1: Create Your Account

Click “Let’s Get Started” below or visit: https://sharethedignity.azurewebsites.net/ and select “Sign Up Now.”

Where possible, please use a generic organisational email address such as info@ or admin@, so access can be maintained if staff changes occur.

Step 2: Verify Your Email

Enter your email address and click “Send Verification Code.”
Check your inbox and retrieve the verification code.
Enter the code and click “Verify the Code” before completing the remaining fields.

Step 3: Complete Registration

Fill in your details (e.g. name, password) and click “Create.”
Return to https://sharethedignity.azurewebsites.net/ and sign in using your new credentials.
When prompted, select “Charity” (not Volunteer).
Complete all required fields and accept the Terms and Conditions.

Tips:

When completing the form, please avoid using dashes, plus signs, or minus symbols during the registration process, as these will prevent the form from being submitted. Use whole numbers only. For example, instead of entering “800+” for the number of people supported, enter “800”.
For addresses, only standard formats are accepted. For example, enter “2023 Hamilton Road” rather than “2023–2040 Hamilton Road”.
This form only needs to be completed once.

Step 4: Approval Process

Once submitted, email our team at [email protected] to notify them of your application.
Our team will review your registration and send you a confirmation once approved. All registrations are subject to review and approval.
If your organisation has been previously registered by another contact in your organisation, our team will be happy to provide guidance.

Submitting a Product Request

Once your charity registration has been approved, you can submit donation requests. Please note that all requests are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We recommend saving https://sharethedignity.azurewebsites.net/ to your favourites bar so you can easily log in.

How to Submit a Request

Step 1: Sign in to your account.

Navigate to the “Product Request” menu on the right-hand side.
Select “New Product Request.”
Enter the requested items and quantities (e.g. 25 packets of pads).

Step 2: Complete all fields.

Enter “0” for any product types not required.
Include any special requirements in the “Notes” section.

Step: 3 Click “Submit Product Request.”

Important Information regarding requests

Requests can be submitted during our three annual drives:
Dignity Drives (March & August): Request period products
It’s in the Bag (November): Request bags
You will receive an email before each drive inviting you to submit your request.

Fulfilment

This is a request, not an order. Requested quantities may be adjusted or may not be fulfilled depending on the availability of donated items. If your request can be fulfilled, a volunteer will contact you near the end of the drive to arrange delivery.

Let's Get Started!

If you’re having trouble signing up, or have any questions please email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Thank you for registering, we look forward to supporting your organisation!

Michelle Taupau

Director

Michelle Taupau is the Managing Director and co-founder of The Disrupters. She brings 20+ years experience in partnership and stakeholder engagement and management success across the public and private sectors. Harnessing the unique power of sport. Michelle strategically connects brands, government, and media with athletes, teams, and events to create powerful partnerships. In her previous role as the NRL’s Community Relations Manager, her responsibilities included, management of strategic partnerships and Indigenous engagement and program management. She has also managed corporate sales and partnerships for Wests Tigers Rugby League and the Australian Apprenticeship Centre for NSW Business Chamber.

Michelle provides strategic direction to business and sporting bodies and athletes relating to strategic planning, community engagement strategies (diversity, multicultural, Indigenous), talent optimisation and management, and sponsorship. Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge in stakeholder and community engagement, program delivery, sponsorship procurement, and activation strategies, and state and federal government lobbying.

Shayne Gilbert

Director

Shayne Gilbert is a founding Board Member of Share the Dignity, who has returned to the Board in June 2020. He has passionately advocated for the difference the charity makes. Shayne is an investment advisor, a passionate rugby coach, a father of four children, and a former teacher. Shayne brings to the charity a strong collaboration strategy to ensure the sustainability of the charity.

Shayne has served on the Committee of Parkinson’s Qld as Vice President, the Shaw and Partners Foundation, and has recently been appointed to the Board of the Queensland Academy of Sport.

“As a father, a husband, a brother, and a son, I could not help but feel empathy for the women and girls Share the Dignity helps. My experience in the financial industry, along with my studies in teaching and psychology, ensure that my strengths are put to good use to help the charity flourish and continue their good work.”

Matt Smith

Secretary

Matt Smith has joined the Board of Share the Dignity in June 2020, as our Company Secretary. As a Partner at Prime Accounting & Business Advisory, Matt brings a wealth of experience in strategic business planning, management, and financial analysis, as well as having acted in a board advisory capacity for a number of Australian companies.

Matt has a longstanding relationship with Share the Dignity and is inspired by the passion and goodwill that the charity invokes in the community. He is looking forward to being able to continue the work set down by the previous Board members to ensure that the charity continues to remain aligned to its values.

Nick Long

Treasurer

Nick is an accomplished, results focused senior executive in an innovative and collaborative technology world. Nick is experienced in driving business transformations that shape team and client engagement, contribute to business prosperity, and produce clear strategic directions, with honed leadership skills.
His previous background was in the Government Education sector as a CTO and Executive Director, driving digital innovation, e-commerce and online customer experiences to enhance teaching and learning experiences. He is considered an expert in providing a pragmatic business viewpoint on the cost, quality and time implications of implementing technological solutions that drive competitive business advantage.

Nick has led and managed large and complex ICT organisations and is also a passionate advocate for cyber security and customer success. Nick is currently a cyber security executive within the Orro Group working closely with business customers on educating boards, developing cyber security strategies and operational planning to enhance security posture. Nick also sits on the Queensland Law Society cyber security board.

Jennifer Witheriff

Deputy Chairperson

Jennifer is the founder of Energise Leadership, an Australian company specialising in organisational and leadership development, executive coaching, training, and facilitation. Prior to establishing her own business seven years ago, she held leadership roles in Government.

As her company name suggests, Jen is about engaging and energising people in the practice of leadership. She is particularly passionate about women and their role as leaders in all aspects of life – at work, home and community.

Over the past five years, she has conducted international development programs at the University of Queensland for women leaders of Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Working with these wonderful women has consolidated her thinking about the practice of leadership and how change can occur though grass roots movements.

Jennifer intends to contribute her knowledge and skills in women’s leadership development, empowerment, advocacy, and social inclusion in her role on the Board of Share the Dignity.

Rochelle Courtenay

Founder & Executive Managing Director

Rochelle is Share the Dignity’s Founder and Managing director, however, the title she is most proud of though is ‘Pad Lady’. Rochelle has led a team of volunteers collecting millions of period products across Australia.

When Rochelle first learned of homeless women going without period products during their menstrual cycle, she decided the question was not ‘why is no one doing anything’ but rather, ‘what’s stopping me from doing something?’.

In March 2015, Rochelle took matters into her own hands collecting period products within her local community and distributing to local shelters. A simple idea of giving dignity to women resulted in Share the Dignity being created, and has since grown to a national charity. Share the Dignity now has 4,000+ volunteers Australia-wide and multiple initiatives aimed at giving dignity to women.

Simon Tolhurst

Chairperson

Simon is a Partner in HWL Ebsworth’s Litigation Team and has over 25 years of experience as a lawyer with a focus on dispute resolution and competition law matters. Simon advised all levels of Government, charitable institutions and corporates, small, medium, and large.

Simon has been named in The Australian Financial Review’s Best Lawyers® as one of Australia’s best lawyers in the Litigation category and has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers. He is also part of the HWL Ebsworth National Competition Law and Anti-Trust Group which has been recognised as a leading firm by both Chambers and Legal 500.

In addition to his legal work, Simon is also Chairman of ASX listed iCollege Limited (ICT) which operates in the vocational education sector, and is a director of Tyre Evolution, one of Queensland’s largest truck tyre retail businesses.

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Further your impact for International Women’s Day

Take it one step further and give back while providing period products

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Why Register Your Charity With Us?

Michelle Taupau

Shayne Gilbert

Matt Smith

Nick Long

Jennifer Witheriff

Rochelle Courtenay

Simon Tolhurst

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How you can help

Dignity Drives

It's in the Bag

Make a donation

Sponsor an It's in the Bag

Fundraise or host an event

Workplace giving

Dignity Drives

It's in the Bag

Make a donation

Sponsor an It's in the Bag

Fundraise or host an event

Workplace giving

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