Equity conversation raises funds for Centre

Council’s My Story. Our Story. event recently held at the Civic Theatre has raised more than $3,100 for the Wagga Women’s Health Centre.

The sold out event, developed by the Equity team, featured Ray Martin and panellists Genevieve Fleming, Steve Meredith and Troy Fisher, who led a discussion about how the Wagga Wagga community can work towards promoting and normalising gender equality.

The event was held as part of TheDVproject:2650, the primary prevention project aimed at changing community norms and attitudes towards women in Wagga Wagga.

“Starting a conversation with our community about equity and respect is a crucial part of this project,” Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.

“The topics covered on the night certainly hit a nerve. Questions taken by Mr Martin from the audience really highlighted the public’s interest in working through this problem,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“There was a lot of interest in the issues around the links between inequality and disrespect and how these can lead to domestic violence.

“When you think that there were so many people out on a winter’s evening and it being State of Origin night as well, we’re conscious that this is a conversation we really need to have.

“We will keep this conversation going over the life of the project and hopefully well into the future. It is essential for us to be the influence for change so that we create a safer and balanced community.

“Also pleasing for us is that we are able to hand the proceeds from this event back to the Women’s Health Centre so they can continue to do the great work they do in supporting the community.”

The project and Wagga City Council’s Equity and Respect team are made possible through NSW Government funding received by Wagga Women’s Health Centre in 2018, with the project being delivered on the ground by Wagga Wagga City Council.

Pictured above, Wagga Women’s Health Centre Manager Gail Meyer (left) and Council’s Equity Project Manager Maryna Bilousova discuss the success of the My Story.Our Story event in Wagga Wagga recently.