Finley Rotary Club President Chris Kelly, Finley High student support officer Jodi Brown, and Barry Wilson from FInley Regional Care (back) with the school’s leadership team members Melanie Omondi, Remi Pyle, Tom White, Bethany Loughridge, Lilly McNamara, Maggie Bramley, teacher Alex Hay with HALT facilitator Dave Kramer.
The community embraced Finley Rotary’s latest project to raise awareness of and stamp out family violence, helping to turn the town purple as part of the ‘Say no to domestic violence’ campaign.
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Rotary president Chris Kelly said he was delighted with the support, and with the interest taken in learning opportunities.
At the invitation of Rotary, HALT Program facilitator Dave Kramer visited Finley last Tuesday to meet with students at Finley High School to discuss and advise on domestic violence issues.
The program links in with the Small Steps for Hannah Appeal.
It was formed in memory of Hannah Clarke and her three children - Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey - who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence in February 2020.
Dave, a behavioural scientist, was a close friend of Hannah and has dedicated his life to empowering all people, especially high school students.
Dave held three separate sessions with assistance from Finley High School student support officer - social worker Jodi Brown.
Each provided a research-based, age-appropriate approach to respectful relationships education, to explore what safety means for their community so they can collectively build the path towards it.
Dave believes that young people have unacknowledged potential as the champions of safe and equal relationships; however, his message of community connection invites all people to be part of the HALT Legacy by cultivating a culture of safety and respect.
A key message shared were the steps to keep the community SAFE - S - step in now; A - ask for help; F - formal reporting; E - enquire now.
“HALT was well received by all of our students as well as staff,” Jodi commented.
“Dave’s message was age appropriate and relevant regarding healthy relationships, being part of a positive change and encouraging supporting friendships.”
Attentive Year 7/8 FHS students with Dave Kramer.
Feed back from the sessions were positive.
“Dave was great. I wish he had of done a session for staff, or our whole community. He had an important message to share and did it very well,” one person said.
“HALT was one of the best programs we have seen all year,” said another.
“The program was engaging and delivered at the student’s level with relevant information and stories,” a participant said.
Finley Rotary Club members also approached local businesses to show their support by wearing specially designed T-shirts on Tuesday, advertising Rotary sponsorship and saying ‘No to domestic and family violence’.
“I was overwhelmed with the response we received, with more than 100 t-shirts being taken up and worn on the day,” Chris said.
Rotary gained so much support, they ran out of t-shirts before all businesses could be approached to take part.
With this in mind, it is anticipated that another awareness day will be held in the near future and anyone wishing to take part is asked to contact the Rotary Club so that adequate numbers of shirts can be supplied.
There were also members of the community who were unable to acquire the special shirts, wearing “something purple” to show their support.
Whilst it was primarily aimed at promoting awareness, and not as a fundraiser, some donations have been received and will be used for crisis accommodation within the area.
If anyone would like to assist with a donation, you can contact any Finley Rotary member or Chris on 0417 650 508.
• If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1800RESPECT, or Murrumbidgee Local Health District on 1800 654 324. Crisis mental health support is also available by contacting Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
IGA staff (back, from left) Josh Wark, Jacob Smith, Robyn Purves, Jenny Bender, Rebecca Osborne and David Conrick; (front) Michelle Ramus, Michelle Bromfield, Kim McCaw, Shannon Carruthers, Kylie Plattfus, Nicky Burke and Wendy Dunkin.
Tuppal Hotel's Paul Butler.
Finley Pharmacy staff (from left) Georgia Pickles, Julie Congram, Vincent Kunzekweguta, Tracey Shaw and Jade Carlomagno.
Tracey Shalders and Rick Shaw at the Country Club.
Christine and Dayle Malseed at Quality Meats.
Eagle-i Machinery staff (from left) Dela Gargaro, Bec Gargaro, Leanne Marshall, Tatiana Acevedo, Yonathen Ramirez, Greg Berryman, Louis Breytenbach, Ricardo Elkin and Matt Clarke.
