November 25th starts the International 16 Days of Activism. This is to bring awareness of Gender-based, family and domestic violence.

As you are aware, this is an ever-increasing scourge in the lives of 1 in 3 women. 

 

I attended the Zonta walk on Sunday – and heard excellent speeches from Troy Edwards from the City of Greater Geelong, Sarah Mansfield, Politician and Debra, President of the Geelong Zonta Branch. Five Rotarians from Geelong District attended – Geelong West, Kardinia, Highton and Torquay. Numbers were down this year both from a Rotary perspective as well as from other Groups and services, however, it still sent a powerful message that Domestic and Family Violence cannot go on. 

 

Photo of Torquay Rotary Club Walk proudly carrying our new Teardrop Banner for all to see on Tuesday, 26th November.

Following the walk, Lesley and I headed to Swan Hill to participate in their SN2DV walk. Sunday night we helped decorate the main street of Swan Hill in orange, the United Nations adopted colour for Prevention of Violence Against Women.  

Monday morning, we saw the continuing rain from the night before. However, that did not deter anyone from getting ready to walk along the main street of Swan Hill and to the Town Hall. The walk was attended by approximately 250 people, with the majority dressed in orange. District Governor Lesley gave a very insightful speech in the Town Hall, as did other community representatives, such as the Police and Health Services Representative. 

 

Wire Christmas Trees were decorated with Orange Bows and will be handed out to some of the shops to display over the 16 Days of Activision and the Christmas period.  

 

On Tuesday, 26th November, the Torquay Rotary Club had our walk from Fishos to the Cosy Corner roundabout and back, followed by a well-deserved cup of coffee. We were so pleased to see four community members join us, the partners of a couple of our Rotarians and some of our Rotarians. The community members attended due to our Social Media Campaign over the past month. Keep up this great work; hopefully, we will make a difference. 

 

We were also able to carry our new Teardrop Banner for all to see. It looked great. Thank you to the board for approving this banner. 

Plans are afoot for a more extensive campaign in the future, so watch this space.   

 

Linda Neale(Club Champion for SN2DV)