Candles Lit In Memory, Voices Raised For Change By Hannah McNamara

The soft glow of candles inside the Mackay Women’s Service Centre last Wednesday night illuminated more than a room – it cast light on heartache, remembrance, and a community’s unyielding call for change.

Held as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the annual Candlelight Vigil brought together local residents, survivors, advocates, and community leaders to remember lives lost to domestic and family violence and to reaffirm their commitment to breaking the cycle.

“It’s really important that we gather as a community – on this occasion, in this month – to reflect on the position Australia is in right now,” said Mayor Greg Williamson, addressing the crowd with solemnity.

“Last year was the worst year on record for women losing their lives to domestic and family violence in Australia. Thirty percent of all homicides in our country last year were women – mothers, wives and daughters.

“That doesn’t even account for the children, men, and gender-diverse people also affected.”

The mayor highlighted the work of the Mackay Domestic Violence Taskforce, formed in 2017, as a key step in building local awareness and response.

“When we formed the Mackay Domestic Violence Taskforce, we didn’t have the solutions, but we knew that if we didn’t talk about it as a community, we’d never find them.”

This year, the focus is on one fundamental value – respect.

“Respect starts in families, in junior schools, and through to high schools. If we can teach respect to the young people in our community, that’s where generational change begins,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We’ve come a long way – but we’re still embedded in a societal scourge that sees women as victims.

“We won’t solve this overnight. But if we teach respect, we can shape a safer future.”

Mackay Women’s Services CEO Belinda Berg also spoke about the importance of visibility and community presence.

“It’s really important that we use this night and this time to bring the community together in the same space,” she said.

“Tonight shows that we do really have a great community solidarity.”

The service has supported more than 2,000 women in the region, providing emergency accommodation, counselling, and wraparound services.

“We’ve been able to bring 25 counsellors into our footprint locally, so we can provide real-time and tailored support for women and children. The best measure anyone can take is to reach out for help,” Ms Berg said.

“It’s about taking a person from immediate need to recovery and into programs that help break the cycle.”
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Deputy Mayor and Mackay Women’s Services Board Chair Karen May acknowledged both the pain and the progress.

“It’s important that we remember all of those victims who have suffered, particularly the ones who have lost their lives,” she said.

“We should also celebrate all the men, women and children that are safe tonight.

“We are very proud of the work that our team are able to do here – year in, year out.”

She praised the service’s ongoing collaboration with Queensland Police, other not-for-profits, and government agencies in delivering the holistic support that’s needed for those suffering from domestic or family violence.

The evening served as both a tribute and a challenge, to remember, to act, and to carry the light forward.

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Mackay Women’s Services CEO Belinda Berg

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton

Candles were lit in solemn remembrance and voices united in resolve, as the Mackay community gathered to honour lives lost to domestic violence and reaffirm their commitment to change. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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