HomeCommunityRed Bench unveiled to stand against domestic violence

Red Bench unveiled to stand against domestic violence

Red Bench
Councillors Tanya McLoughlin, May Mitchell and Tracey McPhee, Mayor Jack Dempsey, Tania Felstead and Cr Vince Habermann at the Walk Against Violence in Alexandra Park.

Community members put on their joggers and met at Bundaberg’s newest Red Bench at Alexandra Park to take a stand and Walk Against Domestic Violence.

Red Rose Foundation advocate Tania Felstead said the Red Bench initiative started 18 months ago and she believed it was important to have the significant seats in each community across the country.

“There are 180 Red Benches spread around Australia and Bundaberg has four of these,” Tania said.

“The first Red Bench was initiated in May 2019 and now we are hoping to have 200 around Australia by Christmas.”

The four local Red Benches are found at Bundaberg Neighbour Centre, Churches of Christ, Anglican Church and now Alexandra Park.

“It’s about having that permeate reminder that domestic violence continues to exist in our communities,” she said.

“The Red Benches provide a prompt for people to have a conversation about how domestic violence may have affected them in their lives.”

Tania grew up in Bundaberg and she said it was nice to return to the region to unveil the latest seat and it was also wonderful Red Rose Foundation had support from Council, police, other dignitaries, and the wider community.

Red Bench
Becky Spruce and Sophie Sutchbury lead in the Walk Against Violence.

Mayor Jack Dempsey addressed the crowd, saying that it was pleasing to see so many community members come together to take a stand against domestic violence.

“It is great to see the community coming together and saying no to domestic violence,” he said.

“We are a very proud and caring community, and people certainly know the difference between right and wrong.

“It’s great to see so many organisations that are doing fantastic work to help people.

“We have four of these Red Benches in the community.

“It’s a sign and a symbol to remind the community that we should do all we can to stamp out domestic and family violence.”

After the unveiling of the Red Bench, community members took part in the Walk Against Violence.

They made their way through the CBD before meeting for a prayer service and a moment of silence as the Anglican Church bells tolled 54 times to represent the number of people who had died this year as a result of domestic violence.

If community members missed out on the Walk Against Violence, they can still take part in one of the local activities in the 16 days of activism against domestic violence. For more information click here.

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