Published on Wednesday 9 May, 2018

Over in Western Australia we shine the spotlight on Lifestyle Solutions’ employee, Leah Scholes. ABOVE: Julie and Leah, founder of the Pilbara Motorcycle Sisters.

Leah Scholes is a Support Manager for Lifestyle Solutions in the remote Pilbara region. Leah became a registered carer 15 years ago, inspired by her grandmother who ran a welfare home in New Zealand.

During her career Leah held a variety of roles in Child Protection and Community Youth Justice. In 2013, she became the primary carer of the Karratha Family Group Home, taking over from her mother who was retiring from the role.

Leah struggled for over three years to find placements for a sibling group who’d resided in the home, and they were facing separation. With the eldest child having special needs, Leah and her partner, Julie, made the decision to foster the three siblings long-term and together they became a forever family. They haven’t looked back since.

If that wasn’t already enough to keep her busy, Leah is also the Founder and President of the Pilbara Motorcycle Sisters (PMS) – a group of like-minded women who love to ride.

The all-female group do amazing work in the Pilbara community and, with a common interest in the empowerment of women, together they raise awareness around the damaging effects of domestic violence and suicide prevention.

Being a remote area like the Pilbara, Leah said it is important that PMS have a presence for women feeling helpless or who are perhaps new to the area.

“We’re just a really great bunch of ladies who love getting together for a bike ride,” said Leah.

“One of the main things we really want to do is get ourselves out there in the community and raise awareness for family and domestic violence and suicide prevention.”

The ladies support an array of community initiatives including providing practical needs for women and families who are restarting their lives by promoting community donations for home furnishings, clothes and toys. They are huge advocates for White Ribbon Day which raises awareness on men’s violence against women, held annually on 25 November and International Women’s Day (IWD) held annually on 8 March.

“The Pilbara Motorcycles Sisters might only be a small group of women, but we are certainly very well known in the community” said Leah.

To mark this year’s IWD event, Leah and Julie were among three guest speakers at the Soroptimist Society’s Sparkling High Tea with Poetry and Portraiture event which represented diverse cultures.

What amazing women and encouraging role models for their three beautiful children.