May 20, 2022
Major events in the South Burnett this month are acknowledging Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and its 2022 theme, “All Of Us, Together”.
This theme aims to drive home the message that to achieve real and lasting positive cultural change, all levels of society need to be involved and take action against domestic and family violence.
On Thursday night, more than 90 members of the South Burnett community gathered at Murgon RSL Club to enjoy dinner and say thank you to the people who work at the coalface in the domestic and family violence sector.
The night featured guest speakers, including Vanessa Fowler, Ashton Wood of DV Safe Phone, Friends with Dignity volunteer Rebecca Gair and former Titans NRL player Ash Taylor.
Vanessa is the sister of murdered Brisbane woman Allison Bayden-Clay and chairs a not-for-profit foundation in her name which aims to educate the community about family and domestic violence.
There were also representatives from the South Burnett Rugby League and the Murgon Mustangs JRL club who will be hosting a special Family Fun Day at Murgon Showgrounds on Saturday.
This is the Mustangs’ annual “Domestic Violence Awareness Round”, supported by the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation, and emphasises the message “There Is No Excuse For Domestic Abuse”.
This message was reiterated at Thursday night’s dinner by compere for the night, Clowry Kennell.
A South Burnett CTC spokesperson said the Domestic and Family Violence Stakeholders Dinner aimed to raise awareness of the impact of domestic and family violence while also acknowledging the hard work of individuals within the sector.
Several awards were presented on the night.
“A big thank you to the individuals across the South Burnett who work tirelessly to address domestic and family violence and ensure the safety of those directly impacted by domestic violence across our community,” the spokesperson said.
“Not now, not ever, will domestic and family violence be accepted in the South Burnett community.”
- Related article: Old Phones Save Lives
* * *
The Cherbourg Women’s Shelter is holding a domestic violence awareness march next Wednesday (May 25) to raise awareness of the issue.
The march will be led by the QPS Pipes and Drums, from Brisbane, and everyone is welcome to take part!
Marchers will leave from outside Cherbourg State School at 9:00am.
* * *
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police
Support and counselling is available from:
- DVConnect Womensline: 1800-811-811
- DVConnect Mensline: 1800-600-636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800-737-732
