NEWS DESK Stepping out for change: Members and supporters of the Southern Women’s Action Network after the rally. Picture: Supplied
Peaceful street march against violence SOUTHERN Women’s Action Network (SWAN) rallied in Mornington on Thursday 25 November in support of Safe Steps 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence and Mornington Peninsula 16ks in 16 days Steps for Respect. They called for an end to what they say is a “growing incidence of violence against women”. SWAN members marched along Main Street, chatting to interested bystanders, before being addressed by Cr Sarah Race in Mornington Park. Cr Race said the Walk Against Family Violence “amplified a cause that is endemic on the peninsula”. With fragmented services exacerbated by COVID, there was a “critical need for longer-term and crisis housing, as lack of accommodation means that women often must stay and survive with their abuser, try to find a place to crash or end up homeless and/or sleeping in their cars”. SWAN member Maureen Donelly said: “It is shameful that in our modern society, despite all its economic, social and technological advances, women and children are still subject to violence and abuse in their own homes. “We need to stand together against sexism and violence in our community.”
Wallara banking on government support DISABILITY support organisation Wallara, based at Sages Farm in Baxter, says its future expansion depends on receiving $750,000 each from the state and federal governments. The charity, which helps those living with a disability prepare for and find employment, has invested more than $2 million without receiving any money from government – despite it being two years since CEO Phil Hayes-Brown asked for their support. “The farm has proven its ability to create jobs,” Hayes-Brown told a lunch last week attended by partners Frankston RSL and St Kilda Football Club. “Local businesses can see what we are doing
here and the quality of the work being done. This is how we get more people into the workforce.” Mr Hayes-Brown said Sages’ mission was to be Australia’s most inclusive farm and also to educate the community through tours and events. He said Wallara helped its clients get job-ready by learning skills in the cafe, growing vegetables, maintaining the gardens, caring for the animals and conducting educational tours on the 16 hectare site. In the past year eight paid jobs had been created at the farm with 10 more in the pipeline, with construction work to create another 18 roles. “I’m frustrated because I see the support [we get] from business, from some amazing donors,
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and I see [how] Wallara invests its funds as a notfor-profit,” Mr Hayes-Brown said. “I see the outcomes being achieved, but operating out of a 150-year-old heritage cottage is holding us back from achieving more. “If we can secure just $750,000 each from the federal and state governments we can build an inclusive jobs hub that will enable us to do so much more.” Frankston RSL and St Kilda Football Club say they are ready to take graduates into paid work off the farm which is run by 60 young people with different abilities, plus some talented support coaches. Stephen Taylor
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