A White Ribbon March was held last Friday with people walking along Gaskill Street to raise awareness and to take a stand against domestic violence in our community. Canowindra High School students and teachers, as well as other community organisations all attended the walk to Memorial Park, where official proceedings commenced. After a welcome to country, Canowindra High School Captains Adelaide Ellis and Jack Traves spoke on behalf of the school about the Lovebytes program running to educate students about domestic violence.
“The Lovebytes program is where a passionate group of health workers discuss healthy relationships and the need to speak out about domestic violence,” said Adelaide. Adelaide and Jack both outlined the importance of what they had learnt and said, “Identification and education of this issue is urgent and needs to be heard by all. We need to encourage people who are affected to break the silence, stand up, speak out and stop the silent killer.”
Neryle Smurthwaite, Canowindra High School Principal said, “It’s a strong message we are trying to put out there through our school.”
Mayor Ian Gosper thanked the community for coming together to march and said, “It’s a nationwide movement and campaign that focuses on preventing and understanding domestic violence and its impact on all of us. Our communities need to be made aware and informed that this is an unacceptable act and men need to stand up and help to drive change in attitudes and behaviours that are socially acceptable.”
Organisers of the event together with the Community Health Centre have put together a gift bag to be given to those in need. The bags contain items that can help make someone’s life a little brighter even if it is only for a minute. These bags will be distributed throughout the community and you can help donate at the Community Health Centre or the Canowindra High School front office.