In the lead up to White Ribbon Day last Friday the Coonamble community were invited to ‘Walk a Mile’ on Wednesday 15 November to bring awareness to and show solidarity for the victims of domestic violence.

The walk went from the Coonamble Visitor Information Centre down to the Netball Courts, and back up again with community members displaying signs with statements such as “break the cycle”, “step up stand up” and “say no to DV”.

The question however, is how do we break the cycle we’re currently in?

White Ribbon Australia, the authoritative body on the matter of domestic related assault in Australia, believe there are a few key things people can do such as monetary donations, volunteering, or furthering their education on the matter.

In a recent report 86 per cent of Australian men surveyed believe they have a role to play in breaking the cycle, but only 6 per cent take active measures such as those mentioned.

Within that same report it was revealed that more than half (56 per cent) of men do not know their role in preventing domestic violence.

Present at the walk in Coonamble was New South Wales Aboriginal Women’s Advisory Network Program Coordinator Dixie Link-Gordon.

PHOTO: Coonamble High School students came down to ‘Walk a Mile’ on Wednesday.

“We can all do better,” she said.

“One woman is murdered every week in Australia as a result of domestic violence.

“In this country we deserve safe homes, schools, workplaces and relationships.”

After the walk members were invited to have a snow cone courtesy of Mission Australia, and a BBQ supplied by the Rotarians.

Unseen Art Hub

As part of a regional tour, the Unseen Art Hub stopped in at Coonamble on Wednesday 15 November.

The Sydney based art collective aims to bring awareness to the issue of homelessness through art and conversation.

On Wednesday the crew of artists brought with them their mirror panelled portable house display, their chrome car display and another display coincidentally called “Walk a Mile”.

Project Coordinator Belinda Mason says that the installations are used as conversation starters for difficult topics.

PHOTO: The Unseen Art Hub, seen at Smith Park last Wednesday.

“There isn’t enough housing in Australia, we need to increase the social and affordable housing to address the issue of homelessness,” said Ms Mason.

“The mirrored effect on the house is to say that the issue is not one seen.”

“People are leaving their homes and living in cars and on the streets, that’s why we have the chrome car.”

The car is intentionally left blank with no logos or signage on it other than the number plate as a way to “create conversations.”

“The car stands out, and because it’s blank we find that people are more open to come up and have a chat,” said Belinda.

“The thing with homelessness or domestic violence is that every number on a stats sheet has a story, and that’s what we wanted to achieve with our third installation ‘Walk a Mile’.”

“On every shoe or pair of shoes there is a story attached to read.”