THE WHITSUNDAYS might be a small, regional area of Queensland, but in terms of people power, its community is a force to be reckoned with.
This was borne out by the turnout at Sunday’s inaugural ‘Epic Walk for DV’ and the amount of money raised in support of women and children experiencing domestic violence.
More than 400 people braved the heat, humidity and threat of rain, to walk 5kms from the Coral Sea Marina and stand in solidarity with those attending parallel events in the metropolitan areas of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
More than $56,000 came from the Whitsundays on that day alone, contributing to a massive total of $321,339 raised for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ), across three events.
In the 2023 Financial Year, the WLSQ Statewide Helpline answered 16,000 calls from women impacted by domestic violence. In just one year that number has increased by 28 per cent.
WLSQ Practice Director Kimberly Allen, whose determination to walk in the Whitsundays saw her re-route flights through a pre-event wet season deluge, said she wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
“The Epic Walk for DV has been running for a few years now but this is the first year that it’s been here in Airlie Beach and what an incredible turnout for a truly epic morning,” she said.
“At Women’s Legal Service Queensland, we’re so incredibly grateful for all the support from this community – we’ve seen this region and this community mobilise like nothing else and it’s making an incredible difference.
“WLSQ is a statewide service, so the support shown here today, and in the other locations where the Epic Walks are taking place, will mean that we can help more women and children all across Queensland.
“Everything that everyone is doing – every step they’ve taken, every dollar donated, every raffle ticket sold – creates safer futures for women and children all across the state.”
Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm, who is also Queensland’s Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, said having previously attended the Brisbane event, being able to now walk with her home community was especially significant.
“To see over 400 registrations from people who have come out today to support the Epic Walk is an incredible achievement for our community and the first of many, I’m sure, to come,” Ms Camm said.
“With the increase in domestic and family violence across our communities, an initiative like the Epic Walk starts a conversation, as well as raising incredible funding to support those who most need it and, in particular, providing that legal support.”
Coral Sea Marina CEO Kate Purdie, whose team co-hosted the event alongside her ‘other’ team of WLSQ fundraising ‘Dancing CEOs’, thanked the many sponsors, donors, walkers, and ‘all of the people who got involved today to make it a great success’.
“What an outstanding show of support we’ve had today from our local Whitsundays community,” she said.
“We’ve had incredible sponsors, volunteers, and so many people walking; we’ve had children, pets, families, co-workers and big teams.
“It’s been an overwhelming success and we’re so grateful to our community for showing up for women and children who are impacted by domestic violence – on behalf of the Coral Sea Marina and Dancing CEOs, thank you all so much.”
Whitsunday Mayoress Mel Collins, who is also the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ Patron – and who attended the event with her husband, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins – said a heartfelt ‘thank you’ of her own.
“You’ve been tireless champions for this cause ladies; your leadership, energy and commitment over the past six months have helped bring this movement to life in our region, so thank you,” she said.
Ms Collins also paid tribute to the walk’s founders Brendon Mann (Epic Hair Designs) and Brendan Smith (Network 10).
“They understood that creating change starts with community and with courage,” she said.
“So together everybody, lets keep walking, keep talking, and keep building a safer future for everyone.”
The four Whitsundays Dancing CEOs will now focus on the final major event in their campaign to raise money and awareness for WLSQ – the gala dance competition at Brisbane City Hall, on May 31.
The ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ are: Kate Purdie – Coral Sea Marina, Julie Telford – SeaLink Whitsundays, Candice Crossley – Whitsunday Transit, Alice Harriott – Whitsunday Family Dental, and team mentor, Katelyn Aslett-Collins – Taste Whitsundays.
For more information, and to stay up to date with their progress, follow the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ Facebook page.
All photos by Phill Gordon, Riptide Creative.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING EPIC WALK SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS:
Coral Sea Marina Resort, Whitsunday Transit, SeaLink Whitsundays, Whitsunday Family Dental, Taste Whitsundays, My Giving Table, Brilliant Media Co, Kickass Women Mackay, Whitsunday Regional Council, Amanda Camm MP, Riptide Creative, Retina Visions, FISHI Whitsundays, Bendigo Bank Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine, Big W, Rotary Club Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Crisis and Counselling Services, McGrath Real Estate, Spark Life, Whitsunday Zonta, D’Vine Catering and Events, Woolworths Cannonvale, Coles Cannonvale, Chasing Te Ra, Motherhood & Matrescence, Mackay Women’s Services, DV Safe Phone, Whitsunday Audio Visual, Pioneer Adventures, Ocean Rafting, Oz Sail, Airlie Beach Fishing Charters, Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays, Skin Esteem, The Garden Bar Bistro, Café One 3, Whisper Cruises, Cruise Whitsundays, Life Publishing Group, Adam & Eve Hair, Church’s Tactical and Outdoor Townsville, Great Barrier Reef Festival, The Fat Frog Beach Café.
