Who is VOTA?

Your Journey to a Fulfilling Life

VOTA is a support group for the victims of Australian Terrorism

About VOTA

Who is VOTA?

In February 2024, a working party was formed to develop a support group for the victims of terrorism. 

In February 2024, a group of victims and survivors of terrorism together with a number of advocates recognised a gap in national support for Australian victims and survivors of terrorism. They formed a working party to develop strategies to fill this gap in providing national uniformed assistance.

The working party foundation members include: Ms Louisa Hope, Survivor of the Lindt Café siege in 2014; Matthew Lamberth BM, survivor of the Endeavour Hills, Victoria terrorist attack in 2014, and other victims of terrorism.

Other foundation members include: Steven Humphries, a lawyer, Ms Martha Jabour OAM, CEO of the Homicide Victim Support Group Australian Ltd, Mr Alan Davison, Dean of Arts & Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney; Dr Kate Linklater, lecturer at Western Sydney University and two retired members of the Counter-Terrorism Command of the NSW Police Force, Dr David Gawel APM and Ms Caroline O’Hare APM.

In response, Victims of Terrorism Australia Ltd. (VOTA), was formed. VOTA is constituted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as a public company, limited by guarantee, being a not-for-profit organisation with the stated objective of ‘contributing to the health and education of Australians who are victims of terrorism’.

Our Board Members

Carolyn O’Hare APM, (Company Secretary)

Louisa Hope

Dr David Gawel APM

Stephen Humphries

Foundation Members

Foundation Members

      • Matthew Lamberth BM
      • Martha Jabour OAM
      • Dr Alan Davison
      • Dr Kate Linklater
            • Alpha Cheng;
            • Matthew Lamberth;
            • Martha Jabour;
            • Dr Alan Davison;
            • Mardi Forsyth;
            • Leanne Martin; and
            • Dr Kate Linklater.

One Person’s Experience

‘I took the opportunity to address it and any questions that [the students] may have had.  One student put up his hand in the back of the room and said, “oh, I have a question. Mr Cheng, what do you need from us to help you through this difficult time? And that was really, really beautiful.’ – Alpha Cheng, Son of Curtis Cheng who was killed in a terrorist attack at Parramatta, NSW police Headquarters.