ORGANISERS of the weekend’s March4Justice event against gendered and family violence shone a light on the shocking rate of this type of violence on the Mornington Peninsula.
In the first six months of 2021, 817 women reported incidents of family violence to police across the peninsula, almost double the Victorian local government area average.
March4Justice is a national movement pushing for equality, justice, respect, and an end to gendered violence.
On Sunday, participants marched from Rosebud pier, and along the Bay trail to the Village Green, where people with slogans called out for an end to family violence and speakers and musicians inspired the crowd.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Sarah Race said the march was an inspirational event, with speakers including ‘Shaz’, representing the rainbow community and Marg D’Arcy speaking for senior Australians.
Female musicians included Maxon, Heidi Luckhurst, Mount Martha teenager Zara MC and Sally’s ukulele.
Cr Race said this year’s Local Champion, Geraldine Bliston, had spoken about family violence on the peninsula at the Australia Day awards ceremony and inspired the community to act.
Details: facebook.com/March4MornPen
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 1 March 2022
