The East Gippsland CommUNITY walk against violence a success

9 December 2008

The East Gippsland CommUNITY walk against violence has been a great success involving the whole community from Cann River to Rosedale. Organised by East Gippsland Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group, Indigenous and non-Indigenous families from all over Gippsland participated in the walk. Alan Thorpe joined the walk on the Lake Tyers and Lakes Entrance legs and was inspired by the organisation and its effect on the community. “The Walk was great. They’re doing such a deadly job. It really sent a strong message to the wider community that violence is not acceptable. It wasn’t only the men but women and children all walking together as families. This made the walk really powerful. It was great to see an Indigenous group lead the way and bring the wider community along with them. As we walked through the towns, it made people stop, look and think. The fact we were joined by non-Indigenous families demonstrated violence affects everyone in the community, whether they are black or white, and that we can stand together in public and say it’s not on.” Alan and The Long Walk congratulate the East Gippsland Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group on their initiative, and look forward to the event getting bigger and stronger in the future.

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