ON FUTURE CORRINA’S EYES FIRMLY FIXED

The sale came after the Victorian Government toughened animal cruelty laws which among other things was aimed at eradicating the practice of kittens and other animals being housed in confined spaces.

The court heard that the Petropoulos’ buyers were lured via advertisements placed on the Gumtree website.

A TORQUAY woman’s personal challenge with identity has driven her to make a difference for future generations.

After struggling to belong as an Aboriginal child, Corrina Eccles is on a mission to ensure those walking in her footsteps are “resilient and proud” of their identity.

“I do not want our children to feel shamed, hide their Aboriginality, or have no knowledge of their culture or community,” Ms Eccles said.

Ms Eccles was eight when her parents told her she was Aboriginal. That marked the start of her physical identity issues, the 44-year-old recalls.

“I wasn’t real dark, but I also wasn’t white so I felt this was why I was teased a lot,” she said.

In Grade 5, Ms Eccles and her cousin started “secretly” seeing a Koori education worker.

“We didn’t tell anyone. I was ashamed — no one at school knew my cousin and I were Aboriginal,” she said.

“It hurts to be a young girl and have a secret, I was always scared.”

Ms Eccles is part of five generations living on Wadawurrung Country.

The mother of two, grandmother and full-time worker said her strength to advocate for others comes from her childhood journey.

Previous Geelong Magistrates’ Court hearings were told several kittens allegedly died within days of being sold by the pair in 2017.

In 2017, police told the Addy they found more than 20 kittens after searching the couple’s East Geelong home.

Mr and Mrs Petropoulos are due to return to court for the alleged 2017 offending later this week.

For confining kittens to a container in September, 2018, the pair were charged with animal cruelty.

Yesterday in court, Mr and

For two decades, Ms Eccles has dedicated her “heart and soul” to empowering and educating Aboriginal people, communities and the Geelong region.

One of her many voluntary roles includes managing Aboriginal dance troupe Deadly Dancers, which has helped support 50 young girls across eight years.

Ms Eccles has also acted as a magnet for disadvantaged children in the community, having provided a safe home for more than 30 Aboriginal kids.

“They know they can reach out to me and I’ll be there at 1am in the morning to pick them up when they need it,” she said.

“The things I have volunteered and continue to volunteer are all for outcomes for our future generations and the voice of my family today.”

But the proud Wadawurrung woman said taking on a leadership role in the community also has its challenges.

“There is a lot of intimidation and dominance that takes place by many males in the space,” she said.

To nominate an inspiring, influential and innovative Geelong woman visit geelongadvertiser. com. au/ competitions.

Nominations for the Women of the Year awards are open until April 5, with winners announced on May 8. animal cruelty, a charge that can carry a maximum fine of more than $40,000 or a 12month jail term.

Both were put on an adjourned undertaking, meaning they will have to stay out of trouble for 18 months.