Jelena Dokic’s story silenced Wollongong, with her powerful message: Speak up
This is what she had to say at the Illawarra Women in Business event.
It was sold out, packed wall to wall as Jelena Dokic opened her address for Illawarra Women in Business at the Fraternity Club in Wollongong on Friday, November 28.
“Don’t you dare say anything. Don’t you dare say anything to anyone, or I will kill you,” she began.
“Those were the words repeated to me pretty much daily by my father. I was taught, trained, and raised to stay silent. In silence, darkness thrives.”
For the next forty minutes, you could hear a pin drop as the former world No. 4 tennis star opened her heart and told her story, one that began as a young girl in former Yugoslavia and ended with her hopes of one day serving the United Nations.
For Dokic, the medals, the Grand Slam runs, even her success as commentator, author and documentary subject have always been only part of the story.
“My biggest highlight and achievement was finding my voice through sharing my story. Why? Because it literally saved my life.”
Her journey beyond tennis is now widely known. Dokic’s 2017 memoir, Unbreakable, topped Australian charts within days of publication.
In it, she documents a childhood and early career marked by war, poverty, racial prejudice, and a father whose physical and emotional abuse was unrelenting.
A feature-length documentary based on that memoir, Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, premiered in Australian cinemas in November last year, and it reignited public discussion about abuse in sport and mental health.
“Today, I try and use that voice to call out injustice, to advocate for change … to try and help normalise the conversation around really important issues in sport and our society, like child abuse, domestic violence, and mental health … and most important, to try and help remove some of that judgment, shame, and stigma that’s so often associated with it,” she said.
Her message struck a chord with the room, delivered in the same week buildings like Wollongong Town Hall, IMB Bank and City Beach Function Centre, lit up orange for #Unitefor2500, marking the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence and honouring the women who have been killed.
What emerged most clearly during the lunch was Dokic’s courage to confront trauma publicly, dismantle shame and speak for those who cannot. She reminded the room that vulnerability has changed the world before, citing figures such as Grace Tame and the survivors whose testimonies shifted national conversations and even laws.
Dokic reminded the room that vulnerability has changed the world before, citing figures such as Grace Tame and the survivors whose testimonies shifted national conversations and even laws.
“Vulnerability… It’s not even a power. It’s a superpower. Literally, vulnerability leads to honesty, authenticity, and freedom. It really does set you free,” she said.
“There have been a few people in this world who have literally changed it with their vulnerability. Grace Tame, who’s a huge inspiration, in the way that she told her story. It’s even changed laws in this country.”
Dokic’s final words to the room carried the urgency of someone who knows what silence can cost. “Words, voices, stories have an incredible power,” she said.
“We need to tell them every single day to be able to save lives. On a bit of a personal note, what I always believe in - never give up. On your goal, on your dreams, but most importantly, on yourselves.”
Support services for domestic, family and sexual violence
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National 24/7 counselling, information and support for people experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence. Online chat also available at 1800respect.org.au.NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63)
24/7 crisis counselling, safety planning and referrals for women experiencing domestic or family violence in New South Wales.Lifeline (13 11 14)
24/7 crisis support for anyone experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts or trauma responses.Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491)
Support for men who use violence, are at risk of using violence, or are concerned about their behaviour. Also supports affected family members.Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800)
Free 24/7 confidential phone and online counselling for children and young people aged 5–25.Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)
Support for anxiety, depression and related mental health concerns — often experienced alongside domestic and family violence.