endoMEtriosis Art Competition Awards Ceremony – 11th March 2025
By QUENDO & Gedeon Richter – KPMG
Serving Women’s Pain on a Silver Platter
It’s not an easy task to leave one’s family to show the world what now seems to finally be heard—the suffering of the 1 in 7. For far too many years, we have fought to be acknowledged, simply trying to survive. Just seven years ago, I was begging to be seen, bleeding half to death, only to be told I had a drug problem and needed psychiatric help. I was dismissed, told this disease was all in my head.
Now, as I board yet another flight to proudly represent one of the “ 1 in 7” —those suffering from endometriosis and all that comes with this complex disease—this trip holds a deeper meaning. It was a moment in history for women’s pain. This became clear as I walked through the towering glass doors of the KPMG building, heading for Level 38 in the heart of Sydney. I stood as tall as I could, but I couldn’t shake the faint feeling of not belonging—the lingering fear that I might be turned away, just as I would have been seven years ago in one of the many hospitals id tried to ask for help.
This trip was dedicated to the EndoMe Art Competition and Conference, run by Quendo and NAME, an admirable showcase of national artists who either suffer from endometriosis themselves or have painfully watched loved ones battle this long-term, mysterious disease. I had no intention of vying for a place; I knew my role wasn’t to stand on a winning stage but to witness and immerse myself in what I believe to be moment in history for endo patients and all that support us. Simply securing a spot in the short list was an honor in itself.
I must pay homage to the artists I had the honor of seeing at Emm Hatton’s exhibition at Uno Studio just a month ago, many of whom took the stage again. Once more, I was awe-struck by the raw talent and expression. Unfortunately, where you find great art, you often find great pain. One of the runners-up was a mother to a daughter who has suffered immensely. Her small yet powerful piece, , depicted a haunting image of a vividly terrifying clown. I won’t lie—this artwork will stay with me for some time. As she took to the stage, struggling to even look over the MC booth, she allowed her tears to fall and simply said, “My poor daughter, she is in so much pain.” The weight of her words took my breath away, and tears began to fall from my cheeks.
The MC for the evening Libby Trainor Parker, this woman a long-time endo warrior brought a much-needed high energy as a comedian, writer and clearly a very passionate woman who had us all in fits of laughter —an excellent choice, bringing much-needed emotional respite to the 150 guests in attendance.
Professor Jason Abbott took the stage, his warmth and openness were immediately evident. As the co-president of the 2025 World Congress on Endometriosis, his words carried weight. He opened with hope and compassion, then bluntly stated:
“I have no idea why endometriosis is classed as a benign disease. This is a disease that kills people. This is a malignant disease.”
My heart dropped, and voices from the audience shouted in agreement. Many have died, and many more will. Worse still, many of the 1 in 7 will live but feel dead for far too many days of their lives. I’m not sure which is worse. He expressed frustration at the unpredictable nature of treatment:
“Why is it that when I give one woman a pill, it works? When I perform surgery on another, she recovers? Yet I can offer both treatments to another, and she ends up under the knife over and over again, with no relief?”
His words echoed through the room. The message was loud and clear: we are only just beginning to truly commit to fighting this disease. My heart sank because, until now, most efforts have been performative—either a farce of change or a desperate scramble to the operating theater. He emphasized that medical professionals need to treat endometriosis patients holistically, as no two women experience it the same way. I did my best to hold back a sarcastic giggle, knowing full well that the Western medical system in Australia has a limited capacity for holistic treatment—let alone for women. We are still clawing our way out of the deeply ingrained, culturally accepted medical misogyny that Emm Hatton’s exhibition so beautifully portrayed.
Any movement, whether we like it or not, requires money—a substantial amount. As artists and everyday people, we may turn our noses up at this reality, but it is the world we live in. When the CEO of Gideon Richer took the stage, I was skeptical. I’ll admit, I had my biases against big-shot businessmen in overpriced suits (yes, I’m an asshole). But he humbled me. He shared a story that made many in the crowd wince in pain.
He had witnessed one of his closest family members suffer a severe broken leg and had to care for her until the ambulance arrived. When the paramedics offered her the green whistle (inhalable pain relief), they asked why she hadn’t appeared to be in much pain before taking it. Lying on the ground, she calmly replied:
“This pain I can manage. But the pain of endometriosis I have suffered for most of my life—I can’t.”
That moment scarred him for life. You could see it in his face; you can’t fake emotion like that. He vowed to do whatever he could to help women suffering from endometriosis and to keep the momentum going. His mission is to highlight the importance of corporate support and workplace flexibility for women with endometriosis—because they need and deserve financial autonomy. I was touched and felt a deep sense of gratitude for his compassion and want to help in that capacity that he could, we need more high-profile businesspeople fighting on our team.
With Australian policymakers continually turning a blind eye, women with endometriosis have no access to financial assistance. Despite endometriosis being classified as a disability, it remains nearly impossible to access NDIS or Centrelink support. The public system still allows a diagnosis rate of 7 to 10 years—an embarrassing display of ignorance from our government policy makers. Words escape me.
I hope to see him continue to fight for us, and I thank him for his compassion and dedication.
The final speaker was the CEO of Quendo Jess Taylor, a kind-hearted woman, mother, and long-time sufferer of endometriosis. She opened her speech with an experience that many of us “old-school” endo patients have endured—one that shocked the younger attendees.
“As I lay in an emergency hospital bed, unconscious from pain, I opened my eyes to find the word ‘ENDO’ written on my hand in marker. No one told me what it meant.”
She glanced around the room, giving the crowd time to process. Even I needed to take a breath.
“As I lay there, I began to Google the word written on my hand and found the Quendo helpline. I was connected to a 65-year-old woman who simply listened to me. It was like talking to myself—to someone who had lived the same life and felt the same devastating pain.”
When she was discharged, she began searching for the center behind this helpline, only to find that Quendo—founded in 1988 to support endo , adenomyosis, PCOS and pelvic pain —was on the verge of shutting down. If endometriosis had robbed her of her dream of medical school, she decided, then she would take over Quendo. She was handed a box of tattered notes and medical records and wished the best of luck.
Like many of us, she simply winged it. And what a job she has done. With thousands of users tracking symptoms and utilizing Quendo’s free support systems, her impact is undeniable.
The battle for recognition, care, and systemic change continues—but we are here. We are being heard. And that is a start. Jess closed her powerful speech honoring ” endometriosis awareness month ” by saying
” We have enough awareness WE NEED ACTION ” the crowd wholeheartedly agreed with an applause that half of Sydney could feel I’m sure of it.
Then was time for the most important part to honor the art, with the People’s choice awards going to Rosalie Duiligal for the Sad Clown.
Then 2nd place went to
Eugenie Lee – For her incredibly powerful ” My Tree lives here “
Adrien Cosmos ” Rotten Womb” the uprooted tree stump with particularly sewn red and orange thread to depict the deep pain.
First Place
By Marcy D’Souza
This incredibly talented painter took to the screen as she could not attend the event to gently thank QUENDO and all that organized then event. Her energy and passion to her work was undeniable. The painting touching us all, clearly the best choice to win first place. I’d like to congratulate Marcy and send my thanks for her work that show was many of us experience. Many lonely days in bed internally fighting with what is happening within us, your work has made history and will stay in all of our hearts.
As the event began to wrap up i looked around the conference room, feeling connected to this community and thankful I had come so far to witness a moment in history that we have all been vying for. Special mention to Abi Low and the team at VML for all the hard work and dedication to this event.
Thank you from me and all of us that suffer so greatly, although we have much headway to make, we now have a voice and a momentum of action.
Thank you and see information below for all that helped to create this event
QENDO App — QENDO – The information and tools you need to manage the symptoms of endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain.
Designed by the community, for the community.
Our co-designed expert-led ManageEndo program will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need for better management and empowerment in your journey with endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Gedeon Richter Australia endoMEtriosis
Gedeon Richter Australia is proud to be working with and partnering with the Endometriosis community to educate the broader community.
Libby Trainor Parker
Artist
Comedy cabaret performing, book writing, joke making, radio presenting, venue owning person. One half of @libbynmatt
Owner of @promptcreativecentre
And a huge thanks for Alison for being my plus one on the night, a beautiful woman I met on the plane on the way to Sydney for the ” what did they tell you “Exhibition. I think we were meant to meet, 2 coaches connecting on a 4-hour plane ride what could go wrong.
Alison Pavy Coaching – Life coaching queen
The wonderful Emm Hatton live painting at the event.
Much love from me to you all and thanks for all the love xx
By Marilyn Tuna
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