By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE footy match was entertaining, but it’s what happened after the game that held more significance than any passage of play preceding it.
Following a friendly legends match at Beaconsfield Football Club last Friday to officially open the 2016 South East Football and Netball League (SEFNL) season, a special vigil was held in memory of the victims and survivors of family violence.
Representatives from a number of clubs, as well as Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley, joined family violence survivor and advocate Kristy McKellar for the special vigil.
It comes after the Royal Commission into Family Violence last month released its 1900-page report, with the State Government promising to implement all 227 recommendations.
Ms McKellar, who addressed the Victorian Legislative Assembly last year, said it was an “absolute privilege” to attend the season launch and vigil.
She shared her insights on “a serious human rights violation that we are all surrounded by and has no place in our society.”
“This brilliant community initiative provided an opportunity to create a greater understanding of family violence, its prevalence in our community and the complexities surrounding the issue,” Ms McKellar said.
“To see sporting clubs such as SEFNL serious and passionate about holding a zero tolerance for family violence and viewing men and women as having equal rights and opportunities, provides survivors like myself with great confidence.”
Ms Graley, who launched a Say NO to Family Violence campaign at local Berwick school Kambrya College last year, echoed Ms McKellar’s sentiments.
“I was honoured to be part of this vigil and to be able to highlight the need to address family violence in the local community,” she said.
“I will continue to work hard not only to raise awareness but also to facilitate the cultural shift which is required to fix our broken family violence system.
“As a society who wishes to see an end to this problem, we must continue to work together in all walks of life, including the sporting community, to eradicate the issues surrounding family violence.
“I want to thank the local football and netball clubs and everyone else who participated in this important event and lent their voice to our campaign.”
