In 2011, Yarrawonga Health Community Health Centre were the lead organisation in implementing this event. However, it was a collaborative event with support from the Moira Shire, Mulwala Water Ski Club, Lions Club Yarrawonga, Yarrawonga Chronicle, Yarrawonga Police, and local Family Violence Services. Financial support was through Moira Shire funding and CDSE funding from Mulwala Water Ski Club.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the local newspaper: The Yarrawonga Chronicle and the Community Health Centre wrote articles about the White Ribbon Day message, and promoted the event that was to take place. The Health Centre also bought two quarter page articles to advertise the event with funds from the Moira Shire funding. The Yarrawonga Police also helped write one article before the event, from the Police perspective.
The event originally organised to be held outside at Mulwala Water Ski Club. However due to wet weather, it was moved inside. Guest speakers Kay Lavender and Amanda Alexander were invited to speak about violence against women, and the effects on families and children.
Yarrawonga Health was privileged to have White Ribbon Day Ambassador: Noel McNamara. Noel McNamara is a respected campaigner for the unheralded rights of crime victims. Noel and his wife Bev, established the Crime Victims Support Organisation 18 years ago. This organisation lobbies governments on law reform, to provide advocacy and support services to crime victims. The efforts of the McNamara’s have directly influenced government policy and have encouraged judicial reform. Their work has been personal, and remains ongoing. Noel discussed his plight to eliminate and prevent all forms of violence against women.
The Young Person’s Art and Literature Competition: “Breaking The Silence” required young people to enter various pieces of art/literature that was then presented to a panel of judges. The quality of the artwork, and the insight shown into Family Violence was commendable. The successful candidates of the competition were given cash prizes from the previous funding. Most of these young people, as well as their families, attended the event and were applauded when they received their prize.
Overall the event was successful. On the night, 36 people signed the oath: twenty male and sixteen female community members. There were about 35-40 people in attendance that were listening to the guest speakers, and had attended for the White Ribbon Day event. However, the event was held during ‘happy hour’ in which there were about 150-200 people in the room. These people saw the White Ribbon banner on the way in, and the young people’s artwork from the competition. A patron who had gone to the Ski Club for ‘happy hour’ had told a staff member that they had actually heard a lot of what we had been discussing and thought it was “about time” that our community spoke up about it. The event had an impact on the whole of the Ski Club’s patrons and workers: over 350 people.
A debrief with organisations and professionals confirmed the action required for 2012. The plan for 2012 is to start early on in the year; with the first meeting during March-April. The aim will be to target large groups, workplaces and organisations within the Yarrawonga and Moira townships working in conjunction with Yarrawonga Police and the Lions Club to begin with. Hopefully, we will also gain more members such as through Rotary, Thales and more. This plan was implemented with success in Benalla for 2011 White Ribbon Day.
For 2010, the young people’s participation will be strongly encouraged with an art and literature competition; as this was hugely successful. It was also agreed we would still hold an event to mark White Ribbon Day at the end of November. The venue would most likely remain the Mulwala Water Ski Club. It would also involve only one guest speaker: our male White Ribbon Ambassador, to keep the message brief and succinct. The band that played would also be invited back to play as a drawcard. Refreshments would be offered again, depending on the funding we were able to obtain.
As this was the first event of its’ kind to occur in Yarrawonga and Moira Shire, the learning opportunities and improvements will be made for 2012. The overall event was a success in promoting to a large body of people, the White Ribbon Message of the Prevention and Elimination of Violence against Women.
Acknowledgement
Moira Shire was recognised verbally at the event in thanking the Shire for the support and financial contribution to the event. The Moira Shire banner was also in full display at the event.
This is a collage of the wonderful artwork that was displayed at the Mulwala Water Ski Club on the night of the event; as well as some of the guest speakers from the night.
