A march through Wallan’s Hadfield Park last Thursday drew community advocates and organisations together as the 16 Days of Activism campaign hit its halfway mark.
The march’s theme ‘Steps Towards Change’, was organised by Mitchell Shire Council (MSC), and along with the community, their guests included the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward, Orange Door Service Systems Navigator Grace Grieve, and award-winning keynote speaker, writer, advocate, and recovering lawyer Tarang Chawla.
MSC Mayor Councillor John Dougall addressed a crowd of around 50 community members and individuals from organisations working to prevent gender-based violence, following a Smoking Ceremony performed by Wurundjeri Elder Colin Hunter Jnr.
Cr Dougall said he hoped that the Mitchell Shire community would move along a path to a safer and more compassionate community.
Organisations supporting the event included The Zonta Club of Mitchell, The Orange Door, FamilyCare, The SEED project, and the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell.
The MSC carried a banner promoting respect, and behind them was Zonta’s banner which projected a more serious message around the responsibility of the community to ‘Say no to violence’.
Passing the shady eucalyptus trees which were yarn bombed under the facilitation of Zonta, Wallan Police members and staff also walked along the path of change.
Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence, the previous minister for prevention of family violence, also attended the event and said it was terrific to see so many people come out and raise awareness of an issue that is affecting far too many people.
Ms Ward congratulated the MSC on their efforts to combat gender-based violence.
“I just want to congratulate MSC and thank them for the leadership they are showing,” she said.
“I know that this is an area they are really passionate about.
“They do want to see change, and they actually want to be the agents of change, which is incredibly important.
“I want to thank Ros [Spence] for her local leadership … [and] to see so many men here who also want change is really positive, and I know it will continue to grow.”
