Help support victims of domestic violence by donating a doll outfit to impact for women, a completely volunteer charity committed to supporting Victorian women and children fleeing extreme violence at home.
Every Mothers Day and Christmas, impact for women volunteers pack thousands of Bags of Love which are filled with donated gift items and distributed to women in crisis. A generous donor has donated 500 plush rag dolls for distribution, however the dolls need outfits. in 2021 we were able to assist in providing new clothes to dress 250 of these dolls, but we still have the remainder of the dolls to dress in 2022. You can help by either donating an outfit or submitting an outfit in our competition. Donated outfits can be store-bought or hand-made, however competition entries must be hand-made.
All donations and competition entries will become the property of impact for women and will either be auctioned to raise funds to support women fleeing domestic violence, or given as gifts to children affected by domestic violence.
For further information please contact lisa.lavey@acu.edu.au.
All competition entries must be hand-made (sewn, knitted, crocheted etc.), however accessories (shoes, jewellery etc.) may be purchased items.
Outfits must be entered into one of the following three categories. You may enter in as many categories as you like, with a maximum of two entries per category:
Once a year impact invites all Australians to Wear a Touch of Red, to promote the clear message that domestic and family violence, in any of its forms, is not okay. Entries in this category must incorporate red in their outfits – whether this is a completely red outfit or a ‘touch of red’ such as red accessories.
Dress your doll in a fashionable outfit ready to walk the catwalk. She can be dressed in current fashion, your favourite fashions of the past, or your prediction of fashions for the future.
Dress your doll to represent a powerful woman, from any period of history (including the present). For example, she might be a politician, an activist, an athlete, or a scientist. If she is to represent a specific person please let us know in your submission form to ensure we identify her correctly.
Competition results will be announced in September 2022.
You may follow commercially available patterns in the creation of the outfits or create your own.
We have included the dolls measurements below to help with putting your outfit together.
Click here for the doll’s measurements
For the knitters out there, the below patterns can also be used as a guide for your outfits.
Download the Dolly's Day Dress knit pattern
Download the Dolly's Summer Dress knit pattern
Download the Dolly's Cosy Cardigan knit pattern
Download the Dolly's Cool Capris knit pattern
All donations and competition entries must be accompanied by a completed submission form and be received by Wednesday, 31 August 2022.
If you cannot print the submission form please include the details of the form on a piece of paper with your outfits.
Please mail outfits and your submission form to:
Lisa Lavey
Research Impact Unit
Australian Catholic University
115 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Thank you in advance for supporting this important initiative in partnership with impact for women.
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