Councillor Michael Farley and karate instructor Tricia Clarke have urged Narre Warren South women to attend free self-defence classes later this month.
WOMEN living in the Narre Warren South area have been urged to attend free self-defence and personal safety classes.
Springfield Ward councillor Michael Farley has funded the initiative through ward funds and has urged women living in the ward to take advantage of the two workshops later this month.
Cr Farley said he was keen to do something about the problems of violence and to promote a feeling of personal security among women and families in the community.
The classes will be conducted by Endeavour Hills karate enthusiast Tricia Clarke, who recently ran two highly successful self-defence workshops in Narre Warren.
The experienced self-defence trainer, who has a black belt in karate, will give a demonstration on physical self-defence and confidence.
“Safety and the health of women are vital family issues in this community and these classes may make a difference to empower women and provide more confidence when feeling unsafe and physically insecure,” Ms Clarke said.
Each two-hour session will begin with commonsense safety tips on avoiding unsafe situations and self-protection.
Ms Clarke said it was important that women knew how to minimise risks when at home alone or when going out.
“The practical self-defence classes will help women feel better able to deal with any situations that arise,” she said.
The free Wednesday-night classes will be held on 21 and 28 June in the school gym at Narre Warren South P-12 College, located on the corner of Amberley Park Drive and Ormond Road.
Bookings for both sessions are essential and can be made by contacting the City of Casey, phone 9705 2500. For each class, the first 45 people to ring will get to take advantage of the initiative.
“I know there is a lot of interest in this so I urge you to book early and avoid disappointment,” Cr Farley said.
