The installation of a shopping centre bench wouldn’t normally involve the centre manager and a regional mayor, but this isn’t any ordinary bench – it’s a red bench.
Red benches are an initiative of the Red Rose Foundation in collaboration with Local Governments and community organisations across Australia.
This latest red bench, the fifth in the Mackay region, was launched last week at Caneland Central by Mayor Greg Williamson and centre manager Simon De Barro.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council had been working to install red benches as a permanent reminder that domestic and family violence occurs in all communities.
“Domestic and family violence is still one of the leading reasons for daily police callouts in our region, so we are definitely not immune from this community blight,” Mayor Williamson said.
“It is a scourge on our community. Still to this day, there are 15 callouts per day by Mackay District police.
“In addition to serving as a reminder of this issue in our community and sparking conversation about everyone’s role in ending domestic and family violence, our region’s benches also include the addition of a QR code,” he said.
“The QR code links people directly to a domestic and family violence information page hosted on the Mackay Regional Council website, where victims can seek help.”
Caneland Central centre manager Simon De Barro said a lot of locals and tourists visit the Centre.
“Having a red bench here provides an opportunity to create greater awareness, not just during Domestic Violence Prevention Month (May) but all year round,” Mr De Barro said.
“It’s in a prominent location and will serve as a permanent reminder, to encourage people to have a conversation about family and domestic violence,” he said.
“Importantly, it also links community members to local and national support services via the QR code and floor graphics.”
As an initiative of the Mayor’s DV Taskforce, council have already installed two red benches in council outdoor spaces, one at the Bluewater Quay and one in the Civic Precinct.
The mayor said council was delighted to be able to partner with other local organisations, including Lendlease, Sarina Bendigo Bank, ZONTA and Mackay Women’s Services, to have additional red benches installed.
“We have plans for additional benches to be rolled out at significant community sites over the coming 12 to 24 months,” he said.
Mayor Greg Williamson (left) and Caneland Central Centre Manager Simon De Barro speaking to Samantha Hoang about the new red bench
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
