Community groups from across the Scenic Rim gathered in Beaudesert to walk against family and domestic violence.
Zonta Beaudesert, Defenders for Hope, Beaudesert Rotary, Scenic Rim Sunrise Rotary and Beaudesert Scouts marched with members of the Queensland Police Service and Deputy Mayor Jeff McConnell.
Departing from Beaudesert Courthouse, over 50 women, men and children walked to Jubilee Park where Aunty Geraldine Page gave a welcome to country.
“This is an issue that affects all of us,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or the colour of your skin. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate.”
Deputy Mayor Jeff McConnell spoke emotionally about his upbringing.
“I don’t want to be here as a Councillor or Deputy Mayor,” he said.
“I’m here to support this because my father was a Vietnam veteran and chronic alcoholic. I think everyone can gather from my childhood this is something dear to my heart.”
“One thing I’m proud of is that I have broken that cycle.”
Shayne Probert’s mother, Doreen Langham, was killed when her partner set fire to her townhouse in 2021.
“We didn’t know the full extent until she left him,” she said.
“I would love there to be an answer. Education from a young age on what a relationship should look like is a very important step.”
“Also to make sure that those people who are in government and non-government fields are doing every step possible that they have been trained to do, to make sure that next person is safe.”
Felicity Gamble from Zonta Beaudesert had organised the march in conjunction with other groups as part of Zonta’s 16 days of activism.
“We had fifty-six deaths in Australia by intimate partners this year, eight in November, two in the last ten days.”
“It is getting the community to be aware of what’s going on.”
“The more we can get the message out there that this is not acceptable, the better it will be for everybody.”
