Candlelight ceremony at Tesch Park to honour victims of Domestic and Family Violence
Contributed by Ian Demack
ONE in six Australian women experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner. For men, the statistics are one in sixteen. Tragically, this violence can lead to death.
So far this year, 24 women and seven children have lost their lives to domestic violence.
At twilight on Thursday, May 15, members of the Maleny community will gather in Tesch Park to hold a candlelight vigil.
We’ll remember those who have died, and learn about some of the practical steps being taken to stop this scourge.
Guest speakers at the vigil include Betty Taylor from the Red Rose Foundation, and Ashton Wood from DV Safe Phone.
The Red Rose Foundation works with government agencies and communities to raise awareness of the devastating impact of domestic violence in Australia.
DV Safe Phone collects and repairs used mobile phones. It then distributes them to domestic violence victims, via a nationwide network of 400 agency partners.
These phones provide a secure lifeline for DV victims, helping them to escape their abusers.
We will also have a representative from the Queensland Police Service’s Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit speaking at the vigil.
We are honoured to have Sweet Chilli, Maleny’s all-female choir, provide a musical accompaniment for the vigil.
Sweet Chilli always delights, with its intricate harmonies and poignant selection of music.
The vigil is being organised by SpeakUpNow, a collaboration between the Zonta Club of Blackall Range, the Rotary Club of Maleny, and the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.
Please join us in Tesch Park on Thursday, May 15, at 5pm for a 5:15pm start.
Upon completion of the ceremony, you are invited to join us at the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre in Bicentenary Lane for a sausage sizzle and further conversation.
