“SHE Matters – Stop Killing Women” rallies were held across the country on Saturday, 15 March, with the Port Macquarie event attracting passionate support from across the region.
Spearheaded by the Australian Femicide Watch and The Red Heart Campaign, rallies took place in more than 14 cities and towns nationwide.
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The events called for an end to gendered violence and served to honour the memory of women and children who have lost their lives to acts of violence.
Organisers are calling for legislative changes and funding to tackle the issue at the State and Federal level.
Across Australia in the last 14 months, 136 women and children have lost their lives as a result of murder, manslaughter or neglect.
Attendees convened at the Port Macquarie Town Green, with Biripi Elder Uncle Bill O’Brien OAM officiating proceedings.
In a poignant Welcome to Country, Uncle Bill expressed his unwavering support for the cause, congratulating those in attendance for standing up for the women of Australia.
Event coordinators Ella Sorensen and Charlotte Schrader, alongside peer worker Dee Bickford, led the 100-strong crowd in a march to the amphitheatre at Town Beach, where key speakers addressed the gathering.
Among the attendees was Jordan of Lake Cathie, who told NOTA she had experienced non-physical forms of abuse in a previous relationship.
“Despite my experience not being physically abusive I am still here to offer my support to the women and children who experienced this,” she said.
“I hope that through these events physical abuse and violence against everyone will end.
Having shared her personal experiences with attendees at the event, Ms Sorensen said it “was a hard day, but so important”.
By Kim AMBROSE
