Cardinia Shire banding together on White Ribbon Day

The Cardinia Family Violence Network and Together We Can, in partnership with Council, will be hosting a community walk against family violence on Friday 25 November. The walk will commence at 10am at Pakenham Hall, corner of John and Henry streets, with a free community barbecue and activities to follow from around 1pm.

Roads will be closed to vehicles along the walking route 12–12.30pm on Friday 25 November, at:

• the corner of Henry and John streets
• south-west down John Street
• Treloar Lane around to Cook Drive
• Cook Drive into Station Street
• Station Street to the roundabout at Main Street
• Main Street north-west up Main Street to John Street
• north-east up John Street to the library.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Brett Owen encouraged all community members to join in this event to show support for victims and take a stand against family violence.

“All community members are invited to come along to these events. As a shire that experiences one of the highest reported incidents of family violence in Victoria, it is vital that we work collectively and openly to support each other, to raise awareness and to enact long-term, real change.

“Council is involved in a number of projects aimed at raising awareness and stopping family violence. Cardinia Shire Council is an active supporter of White Ribbon Australia and is currently seeking accreditation. We are also continuing our work with Family Life, Victoria Police and the University of Melbourne to support the ‘Together We Can’ community initiative,” Cr Owen said.

Among the activities will be an opportunity for people to partake in the One Million Stars project, an initiative that began in Queensland and aims to ‘weave communities of courage to end violence’. This year, Cardinia Shire’s goal is to contribute 10,000 woven stars to the cause.

Attendees can also contribute to 25-year global initiative The Clothesline Project by decorating t-shirts with messages of support, personal stories, and hopes for a world without family violence.

T-shirts will be collected and publically displayed at Pakenham Library during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from White Ribbon Day (25 November) to International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 10 December.

Cr Owen said: “Schools and kindergartens in Cardinia Shire are already preparing their contributions to The Clothesline Project and community partner organisation Aligned Leisure will also be offering a prize for best t-shirt on the day. I believe this will serve as a tangible reminder of the reality of family violence in our community.”

Show your support for the significant work of White Ribbon Australia by making a tax-deductible donation online at White Ribbon Australia.

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing violence, please contact 1800 RESPECT for advice and support. In an emergency, call the police on 000.