Community unites to end violence together

By Bree Harding

Dec 9, 2024

Marchers stopped at the hill at Victoria Park Lake to pose for a photo with one of the many grass artworks around the Goulburn Valley installed for the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Photo by Bree Harding

Orange balloons bounced about in the wind on a breezy Sunday afternoon at Victoria Park Lake as the community assembled to take some literal and figurative steps toward ending family and gender-based violence.

The 16 Days of Activism event on Sunday, December 8 included a walk to the hill, a free lunch, family activities and local support services providing information and promotional goodies.

A large selfie frame was available for photos and participants were invited to write what respect meant to them on it.

The 16-day campaign runs globally from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day) each year.

Its purpose is to challenge violence against women and girls.

Its orange colour theme symbolises a brighter future; one that’s free of violence.

This year’s theme is ‘safe everywhere, always’.

Activities in the Park provided family entertainment, while agencies offered support and information to those visiting their stalls at the free event. Photo by Bree Harding

Sunday’s event was opened by Shepparton’s VincentCare manager Rachel Williams, who spoke about the campaign and pointed guests in the direction of the agency information stalls present at the event.

Stands included VincentCare, Berry Street, The Orange Door, Djirra, and Primary Care Connect.

The Rotary Club of Mooroopna manned the barbecue, while GV Water provided a hydration station, Activities in the Park hosted family fun and Paint and Sparkle painted faces for free.

Supporters could also enter a raffle for free, while kids vied for glory with a colouring competition that also helped raise awareness around violence.

Many at the event also chose to walk part-way around the lake and back in solidarity against family and gender-based violence. Photo by Bree Harding

Orange tops and balloons attracted plenty of attention. Photo by Bree Harding

Those who participated in the walk, donned orange stickers and walked in a group to the hill on the west side of the lake, where they posed behind a 16 Days of Activism artwork on the grass for a photo.

“These events and these things might seem pointless to some people, like they don’t achieve anything,” Kylie*, a member of the community and victim-survivor of family violence, said.

“But anything that creates awareness is better than nothing, right? It’s something.

“If I’d known this many people cared, or there were this many services available, when I was experiencing violence, I might have gotten away from it sooner.”