Queensland White Ribbon Ambassador and 2010 CEO Challenge Race competitor John Minz (CEO, Heritage Building Society) has launched his ‘White Ribbon’ Camellia intitiative.

At the 2010 Camellia and Winter Flower show on Staurday 17 July, Mr Minz asked attendees to purchase the Camellia and by doing so help end family and domestic violence in Australia – one dollar from the sale of each flower will go to the White Ribbon Foundation.

The ‘White Ribbon’ Camellia will provide a living reminder of the need to stand up and oppose a societal problem that is too often ignored or tolerated.  Says Mr Minz, “by buying a Camellia, you will not only contribute financially to the cause, but will be bringing attention to the ongoing campaign against this cancer in our society.”

The specially labelled plant is available for purchase in Toowoomba at The Springs Garden World, and will soon be on sale at other outlets around Australia.  It retails for $16.95.

The Camellia White Ribbon has been named especially to support John Minz’s participation in the CEO Challenge Race 2010.  The CEO Challenge asks business leaders to take action against family and domestic violence by raising awareness and funds.  Click here to donate to John’s Race.

To read about the White Ribbon Camellia being presented to the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, please follow the link to the CEO Challenge news.

Bright-eyed & bushy-tailed at 6am on Wednesday 25 November, a number of socially-conscious Thursday Island residents and their canine companions gathered to take part in Thursday Island’s Wake and Walk event.

The event, which involved a leisurely walk from the local Post Office, along Victoria Parade’s beautiful beachfront to Bach Beach, was held to raise awareness about White Ribbon Day, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Not Violent, Not Silent wristbands, white ribbons and promotional flyers were handed out before the walk and at the wholesome Bach Beach brekkie that followed.

After a relaxed breakfast and pleasant conversation, Darlene Fell, President of Mura Kosker Sorority Incorporated, addressed the group, giving information about the valuable services provided and upcoming events organised by her not-for-profit community-based organisation. She encouraged all present to continue raising awareness, saying that wearing a white ribbon is one’s personal pledge not to condone violence against women, and to commit to supporting community action to stop violence by men against women.

Marika Seden from Department of Communities gave a brief historical overview of the White Ribbon campaign, including how it began in 1991 and the significance of 25 November as the International Day. She read out some sobering facts about the level of violence and related stress inflicted upon women and children in Queensland and across Australia.

Marika thanked everyone for taking part in the Wake and Walk event and their generous support in raising awareness about White Ribbon Day and the prevention and elimination of violence against women.

To conclude the morning’s activities, the White Ribbon Oaths Register was signed and the men present made a joint public statement: “I swear to not to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. This is my oath”. Clapping and cheering from the crowd. Yep, we were proud. And, what an uplifting start to the working day!

The Queensland Department of Communities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Services Torres Strait Office would like to acknowledge and especially thank the following individuals and organisations for their kind and generous support: Darlene Fell, Wayne Seden, Jon Freeman, Rebecca Freeman, David Faulkner, Port Kennedy Association Incorporated & QBuild.

Submitted by Marika, Thursday Island

Check out the event photos here.

In a powerful show of strength and unity over 100 prominent government and business leaders swore an oath at Parliament House on White Ribbon Day to show publicly they do not accept violence against women.

In support of White Ribbon Day – the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – this show of strength aims to highlight the shocking statistics of violence against women and girls in Australia, where every day 1000 are violently assaulted, most in the home at the hands of partners.

In a demonstration of partisan harmony, Speaker Mickel led MPs from both sides of the house, senior business leaders, judiciary, police and government officials as they swore to not commit, excuse or be silent about violence against women – and called on Queensland men to take the lead.

‘We’ve got to tell our mates that there is no excuse for committing violence against women, regardless of how much they’ve drunk, whether or not they’ve had a bad day or the pressure they’re under,” he said.

White Ribbon Queensland Coordinator, Wendy Reid said the White Ribbon campaign focuses on the positive roles that men can play to create a culture where violence, and attitudes that support the use of violence, are increasingly unacceptable.

‘Wearing a white ribbon and swearing the oath is an opportunity for men to show their daughters, sisters, mothers, lovers, friends and colleagues that they do not tolerate violence against them,” she said.

Check out all of the photos from White Ribbon Day at Parliament House here.

The Gold Coast Football Club is making a stand against domestic violence and will join the White Ribbon Day march on November 27.

GCFC Chairman John Witheriff, CEO Travis Auld , Football Manager Marcus Ashcroft and coaching staff Guy McKenna, Ken Hinkley and Shaun Hart have all become ambassadors for White Ribbon Day.

Witheriff said men across Queensland, Australia and the globe are uniting internationally to say “no” to violence against women and girls.

“Domestic violence is a silent epidemic affecting people in all areas of our society – young and old, rich and poor, all races and cultures – women you know and care about,” he said.

“Statistics tell us, every day, 1000 women are violently assaulted across Australia. That equals nearly half a million women in any one year.

“If you don think you know a woman who has experienced violence, it’s because she hasn’t told you – less than one third of women report it.”

When bidding for the 17th AFL licence the Gold Coast Football Club worked closely with the Gold Coast City Council to identify key social issues in the region which would influence the development of the Club’s community strategy.

“Unfortunately domestic violence on the Gold Coast is one of the major issues. The Gold Coast Football Club is committed to developing and supporting programs that raise awareness of the issue such as becoming ambassadors for White Ribbon Day,” Witheriff said.

“Violence against women is not tolerated in any form and we will spread the message through the community and through our own respect and responsibility programs for all our staff and players.”

White Ribbon Day is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and is marked on November 25 each year.

The Gold Coast’s White Ribbon Day March on November 27 will have participants walking from both Kurrawa Beach and Main Beach along the beach to Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise for a BBQ breakfast and a key note address by a White Ribbon Ambassador. For further information visit www.whiteribbondayqueensland.com.au

For further information: Greg Price 0400 200 827

In a powerful show of strength and unity over 100 prominent government and business leaders will take an oath at Parliament House tomorrow to show publicly they do not accept violence against women.

In support of White Ribbon Day – the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – this show of strength aims to highlight the shocking statistics of violence against women and girls in Australia, where every day 1000 are violently assaulted, most in the home at the hands of partners.

In a demonstration of partisan harmony, Speaker Mickel will lead MPs from both sides of the house, senior business leaders, judiciary, police and government officials as they swear to not commit, excuse or be silent about violence against women – and called on Queensland men to take the lead.

‘We’ve got to tell our mates that there is no excuse for committing violence against women, regardless of how much they’ve drunk, whether or not they’ve had a bad day or the pressure they’re under,” he said.

White Ribbon Queensland Coordinator, Wendy Reid said the White Ribbon campaign focuses on the positive roles that men can play to create a culture where violence, and attitudes that support the use of violence, are increasingly unacceptable.

‘Wearing a white ribbon and swearing the oath is an opportunity for men to show their daughters, sisters, mothers, lovers, friends and colleagues that they do not tolerate violence against them,” she said.

The public oath will take place on the Speaker’s Lawn at 1:00PM, Wednesday 25 November 2009.

For more information about the White Ribbon Day Queensland campaign visit www.whiteribbondayqueensland.com.au or call 07 3119 6347.

Men In The Mall is an annual event coordinated by Australia's CEO Challenge to mark White Ribbon Day. This year, thousands of men joined Steve Renouf, Ian ‘Powerhouse’ Jacobs, Malaney Poet Joe Lynch, world champion beat boxer (and White Ribbon Ambassador) Joel Turner and Fresh Element's dance crews 1, 2, Check and Tryumph.

White Ribbon Day is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women and it is celebrated internationally on 25 November every year. It is the day where the silent majority of non-violent men can, by wearing a white ribbon, make a statement to all men that they will not commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women.