In an unprecedented show of unity across the Buloke Shire, community members in all ten towns will meet at their local park at 10am on Sunday the 25th November, to launch the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign.

Every year the campaign kicks off on the 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Newly established Statutory Authority, Respect Victoria, is the proud organisational face of the 2018 Victoria Against Violence campaign – the #OrangeCard. Inspired by the penalty system in soccer, the #OrangeCard is a social platform designed to give Victorians a way to speak up, speak out and become a genuine part of the solution to end family violence.

Locally, the Buloke United Walk Against Family Violence is being organised by Alicia Emonson (SMPCP), Buloke Youth Groups and the five Buloke Neighbourhood Houses.

Wycheproof’s walk will begin at Centenary Park at 10am and we encourage your staff, boards, councilors, friends and family to be involved in this joint initiative because by changing the conversation, we can ultimately change the culture that allows family violence to occur. Stopping violence before it starts requires the whole community to be involved.

On Sunday, 25th November meet at your local park for a casual stroll around town, wearing a splash of orange and show your support by using the #OrangeCard on social media.

Orange face paint and balloons will be provided for the children and all participants will receive free water, donated by the Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnership and fruit donated by local supermarkets.

This campaign is not about raising money, it is about raising awareness. We know prevention is key to ending family violence and campaigns like this will take us one step closer to a community free from violence.