Everything its quacked up to be

By Samantha Elley

The Richmond River is about to be inundated with little non-feathered quackers as the Rotary Great Duck Race gets ready to take place on September 10 from Fawcett Park.

For the last 30 years these friendly little yellow ducks have taken over the waters as funds are raised to beneft local and children’s charities.

Only last year the duck race brought in $12,000.

President of Rotary Ballina-on-Richmond, Jamie Marshall, said the Great Duck Race is an icon for the area.

“For us it’s a way for the community to connect,” he said.

“We can all get together, young and old, it’s a good thing especially as we have lost a few large events lately.”

This year the funds raised will be going to Our House, Sprung Integrated Dance Theatre and Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

Local businesses can buy their own corporate duck for $50 and dress it up to represent and promote themselves.

There is a Best Dressed Duck event with everyone competing for an annual trophy.

While these ducks won’t be going in the water, those bought for the main event, the Community Duck Race,

Tickets for the community ducks are 1 x

Website launched to raise community awareness of coercive control in domestic violence

A new website on coercive control has been launched by the NSW Government to help raise awareness and educate the public about this abuse, which is a known precursor to domestic violence deaths.

Attorney General Michael Daley said the website provides information to broaden the public’s understanding of coercive control in current or former intimate partner relationships. It provides accurate descriptions and examples of coercive control and includes information about what the legislative reforms mean, who they apply to, how to recognise patterns in behaviour that could lead to this form of abuse and where and how to seek help.

Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022 to criminalise coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships.” assesses and manages domestic violence cases come 2024, and the government is now making sure people recognise the signs and know what it is.” will all have a number on them.

These new laws will come into effect in 2024 and, if found guilty, perpetrators can face up to a maximum of seven years in prison.

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said there is very poor understanding of what coercive control is in the community.

Women’s Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM said the website is critical to providing people with accurate information so they can spot the signs of coercive control in their own or others’ relationships.

The public can buy a ticket corresponding to a numbered duck .

The frst past the post in the race, to be held on the Richmond River, will be entered into the 2023 Dashing Daffy and the holder of the winning ticket will receive a voucher from Harvey Norman Electrical for $500.

Second prize gets $250 cash from Launch Performance & 4X4 and third prizes a $100 voucher from Resonator Music.

$5 or 3 x $10 and are on sale at 130 River Street (next to the Lollie Shop), at Wallace’s, Flowers in Paradise, The Kitchen Café, McGrath Real Estate and Ballina Fair (near TK Maxx area). They can also be purchased online at www.trybooking.com/ CDTBW. Corporate Ducks can also be purchased for $50 online via the link.

Mark it in your diaries that the Rotary Duck Race starts at 11am at Fawcett Park in Ballina on September 10.

“The Domestic Violence Death Review Team found that about 97 per cent of intimate partner domestic violence homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2018 were preceded by coercive control where the perpetrator used emotional and psychological abuse towards the victim,”

Attorney General Daley said.

“And on average, one woman is killed in Australia every 10 days by an intimate partner.

“It is for this reason that the NSW Parliament passed the Crimes Legislation

“Independent research commissioned by the Department of Communities and Justice found that while 2 in 5 people claimed to know what coercive control means, only 1 in 5 could correctly identify at least one aspect of coercive control,” Minister Harrison said.

“Coercive control is a pattern of behavior used against an intimate partner that impedes on their freedom and liberty, and can include controlling the way they dress, who they communicate with and even their access to fnances.

“It is behaviour designed to exercise domination and control over another, and can be hard to spot because it can be deeply contextual.

“Coercive control laws will have a profound impact on the way that our justice system

“While some coercive and controlling behaviours can seem minor on their own, when they’re repeated or continuous, they can cause serious harm to the victim, affecting a person’s sense of safety and independence, and making them feel trapped, powerless and alone,” Ms Daniel said.

“A history of coercive and controlling behaviours in a relationship is also a known precursor for intimate partner homicide. So, if anyone is worried about coercive control in their own, or someone else’s relationship, please know, there is help.”

If you are experiencing or know of someone who is experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

To learn more, visit the coercive control website here: nsw.gov.au/ coercive-control