Ballina Branch of CWA Advocates for Continued Action on Violence Against Women in NSW and ACT Communities

In response to the alarming rise in the number of Australian women losing their lives to intimate partner violence this year, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW is using its annual Awareness Week campaign to emphasise the urgent need for sustained action against gender-based violence and violence against women across NSW and the ACT.

CWA of NSW Awareness Week will take place from September 1 to 7, focusing on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence, including domestic and family violence, as well as violence against women by men who are not their intimate partners. This marks the second time in five years that the association has dedicated its Awareness Week to this critical issue, having previously highlighted domestic and family violence in 2020.

Lyn Davidson of the Ballina CWA Branch stressed the importance of revisiting this issue during Awareness Week, noting that the problem persists and requires renewed attention.

“We represent 8,000 women across NSW and the ACT, and we believe it’s crucial to keep applying pressure on policymakers to improve support and protections for victims of gender-based violence,” Lyn said.

During this year’s Awareness Week, the CWA of NSW is advocating for several key measures, including:

• Further reforms to bail laws to enhance the protection of victims, especially in rural and regional areas.
• Sustainable funding models for frontline victim support services, as well as services targeting perpetrator risk factors.
• The establishment of a real-time system to record, track, and share information on perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions.
• Additional resources for women facing violence in rural and regional communities, where isolation and limited services can make seeking support even more challenging.

The CWA of NSW is also committed to involving men in this year’s campaign, reinforcing the message that everyone must contribute to changing societal and cultural factors that lead to violence.

“It’s up to all of us to take action against violence when we see it, speak up against violent or oppressive language, and challenge the myths that perpetuate these behaviours. When we stand together, we can start to see meaningful change,” Lyn said.

This year, the CWA of NSW is partnering with Domestic Violence NSW, the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW, and The Men’s Table, an Australian non-profit organisation that promotes healthy masculinity and provides men with opportunities to discuss personal issues in a supportive environment.

“These organizations are making significant strides in creating positive changes in our society that can ultimately lead to a reduction in incidents of senseless violence,” Lyn added. “With their support during Awareness Week, we aim to continue the conversation around gender-based violence, acknowledging its complexities, and remain fully committed to finding the resources and strategies needed to reverse these devastating statistics.”

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$50,000 Initiative to Foster Kindness in Children Across Regional NSW

By Robert Heyward

The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has invested $50,000 in a pilot program aimed at nurturing empathy and reducing anxiety in young children across regional New South Wales. The initiative, titled ‘SeeMore Kindness,’ will be delivered by KIDS Foundation to 650 early childhood education centres in regions including the Central Coast, Hunter, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Central West, and New England.

Jackie Connors, Head of Customer Retail at Newcastle Permanent and spokesperson for the Charitable Foundation, highlighted the significant impact the project is expected to have on local families.

“This pilot will initially focus on 20 Early Childhood Education Centres but will ultimately reach more than 26,000 parents through a digital parenting book offering practical tools for raising emotionally intelligent children,” Connors said.

She emphasised that teaching emotional skills like kindness and empathy from a young age is crucial for lifelong success. “We hope the children who receive the SeeMore Kindness training will grow into more confident and understanding individuals. The Foundation is committed to supporting projects that drive positive social impact, and we are thrilled to support KIDS Foundation in this important work.”

Dr. Susie O’Neill OAM, spokesperson for KIDS Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s potential to become a staple in early childhood education.

“We are delighted to deliver our new SeeMore Kindness module, which will benefit not only the children but also their families and educators,” Dr. O’Neill said. “Our curriculum-aligned content provides practical lessons and activities designed to teach kindness as a practice for building empathy and reducing anxiety in children aged four to six.”

The long-term vision for the SeeMore Kindness program is to embed it into the preschool curriculum as a best practice for fostering lifelong emotional intelligence in children.

“With the help of our program, we believe that over time, children will become healthier, more connected, active, resilient, mindful, and kind,” Dr. O’Neill added. “We are incredibly grateful to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for their support, which has made this important program possible, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on children.”

For more information about KIDS Foundation and their initiatives, visit KIDS Foundation.

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Government Guarantees Regional Flight Bookings for Rex Customers

The Albanese Government has announced a guarantee for regional flight bookings with Rex during the airline’s voluntary administration process, ensuring that travellers can continue to book with confidence.

Passengers booking regional flights on Rex can rest assured that their journeys will either proceed as planned or they will receive a full refund. Rex, one of Australia’s largest regional air carriers, plays a crucial role in maintaining connectivity across 41 regional and remote routes, 21 of which are exclusively serviced by Rex.

Recognising the importance of Rex’s operations for Australia, the Government is actively collaborating with the administrators to secure a robust future for regional aviation.

The guarantee applies to all regional flight bookings with Rex made after the airline entered voluntary administration at 9:31 PM on July 30, 2024. This assurance aims to instil confidence in customers to continue booking flights, which are vital for staying connected to family, friends, healthcare, and essential services, while also supporting the sustainability of aviation.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts will maintain close communication with the administrator regarding plans for the continuity of services to regional communities.

Furthermore, the Government expects the administrator to prioritise the entitlements of Rex employees throughout this process.

This guarantee underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring that reliable air services remain accessible to regional Australia, and that no community is left behind.

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