Ranges
20 Tuesday, 1 March, 2016
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A Mail News Group publication
Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
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Setting the standard FERNTREE Gully District Cricket Association (FTGDCA) is helping to boost the accountability of sporting clubs when it comes to reducing domestic violence. Through its recently held pilot program, Communities Against Domestic Violence, the association has set a precedent for other locally based organisations to follow. The initiative featured a series of informative events designed to spread the antidomestic violence message among young men, which culminated in a feature match in Round 11 on Saturday, 13 February, between Eildon Park and Knoxfield. In addition, all 15 senior clubs under the association banner wore red armbands to not only signify the ‘stop’ message, but the blood spilt from cases of domestic violence. Many local police officers also supported these events. Communities Against Domestic Violence has been hailed a huge success and “blown away� many of its key drivers, to an extent it’s widely tipped to develop substantially. FTGDCA President, Murray Wilson, said organisers felt compelled to launch the program. “Sporting clubs have enormous opportunity to lead cultural change,� he said. “Young men are more likely to respect the environment in which they’re playing sport. “The message is more likely to cut through than any television campaign. “The culture must change to ‘stop, this behaviour is not acceptable’.�
Mr Wilson said Knox City Council, local police and the Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield were instrumental in bringing together the project. Rotary members produced a small video clip, which many players viewed and featured images and sound-grabs of a real-life domestic violence incident. Mr Wilson said the developers of the pilot program sought to target males between the ages of 15 to 50, not only as perpetrators but as victims. “It’s not just about dad hitting mum, it’s also incidents like grandma and grandpa suffering violence at the hands of their children,� he said. “The message is ‘this is not OK’ and ‘you must speak up’.� The campaign comes after Yarra Junction footballer Brendon Murphy was named Yarra Ranges Shire Citizen of the Year, after his viral video asking young men to stand up to family violence. The video featured members of the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football Netball League (YVMDFL). Switching from player to player, the men in the video said that every week a woman was killed by her partner or ex-partner in Australia - “by a man who should know better, with mates who should know better�. “The only member of acceptable deaths from domestic violence is zero,� Mr Murphy said in the video. *Tell us what you think. Are local sporting clubs doing enough to change the culture surrounding family violence? Email editor@mailnewsgroup. com.au.
Leading lights step forward UPWEY is looking to its top female leaders to drive the township into further prosperity, after an ambitious trio was recently elected to head community groups. Pictured from left are Sue Williams from Businesses of Upwey, Heather Liney from Upwey Township Group and Michelle Johnson from Project Upwey. The three organisations comprise the most prominent and influential groups in the town and are all now headed by women. The trio is encouraging people to join them in their quest to boost their town. Ms Liney said she envisioned “a community where everyone feels they Picture: ROB CAREW can join in and be part of activities and events that make this a great town to live in�. 150620
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