Did you know that a woman is killed every week in Australia by someone she loved or is known to her? 57 women were killed in 2022. And this year so far 35 women have been killed due to domestic and family violence in Australia. (The red heart campaign)

Article by District Governor Dave Harmon, D9640, member of The Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond

One day in 2018 my life changed. I attended a memorial service in Kyogle, a small country town in NSW, for my friend’s sister who was murdered by her partner in front of her 3 young children. Sitting in a corner of the church I was shocked to hear what was happening in homes around our country. While in an emotional state listening to the eulogy, I asked myself, what can I do as the incoming president of my Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary Club in Northern NSW, to stop Domestic and Family Violence in my town?

Back home, I spoke with my wife Robyn and then took an idea to our next club board meeting. This is where our journey began with our Rotary club supporting a public image campaign against Domestic and Family Violence in our country town of Ballina.

By November 2019 my club members were inspired to organise a community walk down the main street of Ballina with over 800 members of the community walking with us, advocating against Domestic and Family Violence. The effect this had on our Rotary club was amazing. The club formed partnerships with various community groups and service organisations that had the same cause. Due to our cause being relevant to our community, people were attracted to be part of our Rotary club. During my club Presidency year of 2019-20 our membership took a huge leap from 33 to 50. Many of these new members joined our club to be part of our ‘No to Domestic Violence’ campaign. In the following year our club transformed our identity to relate to social justice causes. Today we have grown our membership to 80 in this small town of 10,000 people and proud to be the 4th largest Rotary Club in Zone 8. 

In the 2020-21 Rotary year, Australia and New Zealand celebrated 100 years of Rotary with a Baton Relay across all clubs. Our then District 9640 Governor PDG Andy Rajapakse recognised an opportunity and connected the Baton Relay to be a Relay with a cause, ‘Rotary Says NO to Domestic Violence’. The impact this relay created across our 60 clubs was remarkable. During the 100 days of activation from 5th February to 15th May our District 9640 experienced our highest membership growth in 25 years. We attracted 141 new members to our clubs in 100 days. 26% were under 30’s and 58% were female members.

In the same year our district went on to attract a record 384 new members in 365 days and record a net member increase that year of +170. PDG Andy attributes 60% of this growth to this relay with a cause. While it was wonderful celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Australia, the media and the community were interested in the cause we Rotarians in D9640 were championing. Our club members became local heroes and received wide media coverage during this 100-day relay that showcased to our communities that we Rotarians are people of action, and we say No to Domestic and Family Violence.  

The lady in Yellow is our Mayor Sharen Cadwallader who experienced life threatening DV by her first husband. The 2 Rotarians are Dave & Robyn Harmon. Lady at back with hat is lived experience Mandy Nolan Comedian and Author and survivor of DV

In 2023 we are presented with a unique opportunity to connect with a cause that will pack a punch, will create Impact, is relevant, and will help ‘Create Hope in the World’. Last October in Canberra, the 20 District Governor Elects for 2023-24 in Zone 8 unanimously endorsed our Zone to adopt the common cause of raising awareness of Domestic and Family Violence. This is a rare opportunity as it has been over 30 years since the End Polio campaign, we all combined with ‘’One voice for One Cause”.

We have a call to action during the internationally recognised ‘16 days of Activism’ against gender-based violence from the 25th of November till 10th of December. Clubs are encouraged to activate a campaign that may include a walk or another activity during this time. A Rotary National Day of Action is proposed for Friday the 1st of December. Imagine the public impact we can create if all 30,000 Rotarians across the Zone 8 are walking in our towns on the same day. This is public image. This is advocacy. This is what will make our members the local heroes and enhance their Rotary club experience. 

I encourage your club to connect with other community groups and agencies that work in this space. They may already have an event organised that you can join in. Or invite them to ours. 

I encourage you to visit our website at rotaryclubofballinaonrichmond.org.au to order your Purple T-shirts, Banners and other support material and artworks. Join us as ‘People of Action’ and ‘Create Hope in the World’.

For further information please contact, Dave Harmon email- districtgovernor@rotary9640.org