NEWS DESK
Voices call out on safety for women STANDS were taken and voices raised to highlight the issue of violence against women at a White Ribbon Day in Mount Martha to start 16 “days of activism”. Organised by Mount Martha Uniting Church, the event on Saturday 25 November included a panel discussion about “action” on violence against women. Panel moderator Ruth Stuettgen said feedback from the day had been positive, with attendees saying it was “amazing and informative”. “Spreading awareness was one of our goals and it's heartening to see it sparking conversations,” she said. The panel of speakers – which included the head of the Family Violence Investigations Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Tracy Meyer, supported by Senior Sergeant Andrew Horscroft, Cr Despi O’Connor and the founder of Restart Your Life Retreats, Tessa Jetson - gave insights into their work. Stuettgen said the panel discussion proved an indispensable part of conversation. The seven objectives of the White Ribbon Day event were to elevate awareness of the issue and resources available, unite the community to address women’s safety, pave the way for changing attitudes, expectations, and acceptable behaviours, provide guidance, and raise money for a Re-
start Your Life retreat. “As we reflect on this event, let it serve as a catalyst for ongoing activism, conversation, and collaborative efforts to create a safer and more compassionate community for all,” Stuettgen said. “Behind every family violence statistic is a story of pain, suffering and loss. They are the stories of our sisters, daughters, mothers, or friends and they are the stories that must drive us to action. “ As a community we can no longer turn a blind eye. We simply must speak out against this violence and work together to create a more respectful society. “Mt Martha Uniting Church, under the leadership of the Reverend Peter Wiltshire, aspires to create a community committed to lifelong learning, actively engaging in the principles of social inclusion, compassion, pastoral care, and social and environmental justice. “As such, bringing the White Ribbon Day event to life, as part of the 16 days of Activism on the Mornington Peninsula, is an integral part of upholding these values and aspirations.” The 2023 charity of choice for the White Ribbon Day event is the Tessa Jetson Foundation. Contributions can made at: mtmarthaunitingevents.org. au/
THE Mount Martha Sea Wolves bathe daily at dawn. Picture: Noah Smith Fletcher
Inspiring howls from Sea Wolves THE second annual Flinders Fringe Festival in February will be headlined by Sea Wolves Howl, a theatre piece based on a group of women who daily plunge into the sea at Mount Martha. Written and performed by Mornington Peninsula artist Carole Patullo with Jane Bayly, Melanie Beddie and Kelly Nash, the piece was commissioned by the festival. Direction and dramaturgy are by Melanie Beddie with music by John Thorn. The Mount Martha Sea Wolves, an
intergenerational group of up to 60 Mornington Peninsula-based women and non-binary people, gather on the beach daily at dawn. As they hold hands and enter the sea the women howl like wolves in what is described as a transformative ritual. Patullo and her collaborators are developing Sea Wolves Howl from stories gathered from the swimmers. “… It will embrace the life-affirming spirit of the Sea Wolves and celebrate the transformative power of
the sea,” she said. Sea Wolves Howl will be performed at the Flinders Community Hall from 22 to 24 February and tickets can be bought at flindersfringe.com.au. “To have the privilege of inhabiting the characters that emerge, and bring them to life, is incredibly satisfying,” Patullo said. “There is something very powerful about the act of storytelling; when stories from lived experiences are transformed into theatre, the response from community is profound.”
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Southern Peninsula News
13 December 2023
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