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PROUD MOMENT: Mayor Clare McLaughlin (sixth from left) with WAPSF committee members, John Rademaker from Centacare, Tam Beatty and Council Manager Community Services Ann Ryan at the garden opening.
Mayor Clare McLaughlin was one of many deeply moved by an emotional opening of the Whyalla Women’s Reflection Garden last week in Whyalla.
Mayor McLaughlin was invited to speak following a powerful and heart-wrenching speech by Whyalla resident Tam Beatty as she described the domestic violence murder of her sister Katrina "Kate" Coker.
“It was such a brave and moving thing for Tam to do and a very emotional moment for everybody present,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“It was an honour to speak at this ceremony and Council is very proud to have helped in establishing this remembrance wall in this beautiful garden.
“Congratulations to the Whyalla Agencies Promoting Safer Families (WAPSF) committee for raising the money to create this garden dedication and everyone that helped in some way to making it happen.
“As the Whyalla City Council we condemn any form of violence against women and will continue to maintain this garden to make sure that message continues in our community.”
EMOTIONAL SPEECH: Anthea Lorenz assists Tam Beatty as she tells the story of her sister's death.
WAPSF chairperson Anthea Lorenz thanked Council, the organising committee and several businesses that had helped establish the commemorative wall that forms an entrance to the dedication at Ada Ryan Gardens.
“This concept came about in late 2016 and we as the agency worked together with Council to produce what you see there today,” Anthea said.
“The intention was for this to be a positive place and, as it is named, a place for reflection, peace hope and awareness of domestic violence and a place for families to come.”
The artwork on the wall will be replaced over the next 12 months with clay tiles to be produced with the help of local artist Dianne Turner and the community. Anthea said WAPSF needed to raise another $10,000 to complete the wall and would be working hard to achieve that.
EMOTIONAL DAY: Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin pays tribute to WAPSF and everyone involved in establishing the gardens.
Other speakers on the day included John Rademaker from Whyalla Centacare who spoke passionately about men’s role in preventing violence against women and asked all men present to recite an oath that they will act to prevent violence against women and help women and children live a life free of fear.
I will stand up, speak out and act to end men’s violence against women - the men's oath
Yolanda Croft performed the Welcome to Country introduction. WAPSF acknowledged the following businesses and individuals for their assistance in the project: CBCH Crane Hire Whyalla, Dianne Turner, Whyalla Precast, N&D Dunstall Excavations and Council.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FACTS IN AUSTRALIA
- On average, one women dies every day at the hands of a partner or former partner
- 53 women lost their lives in 2017 from violence by men
- As of last week, 63 women have lost their lives from violence by men in 2018
- One in three women will be abused or insulted by men in their life time
- One in four children will be exposed to domestic violence against women
HELP AT HAND
Any women experiencing violence from men in first instance should contact Police on 000. For local support and information contact Centacare Domestic Violence and Homeless Service on 8645 3655 or Victim Support Service 8645 5911. South Australian help line Domestic Violence Gateway can be contacted on 1800 800 098. National helplines include 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732; Lifeline 13 11 14; Relationships Australia 1300 364 277; Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline 1800 019 123. Men who need to address their violence towards women can get help at Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 or Mensline Australia 1300 789 978. Children suffering the effects of domestic violence can call Kids Help Line 1800 551 800.
MEN'S PLEDGE: Centacare's John Rademaker leads the men in taking an oath on violence against women