Mayor's Community Message
4 March
DV SAFE ROOM
As part of Council’s commitment to promoting positive behaviours and social norms that reject violence against women, I am pleased to announce that a Domestic Violence Safe Room trial will soon be held in the City of Ryde.
Council will be providing $20,000 of funding to the Rotary Club of Ryde, with co-funding from other corporate partners to support the delivery of the Safe Room, which will be operated by the Lisa Harnum Foundation.
The Foundation is a highly regarded local non-profit domestic violence organisation that provides Safe Rooms, case management, counselling, education, and monthly group support for those impacted by domestic and family violence. It was named in honour of Lisa Harnum, who was thrown to her death from the balcony of a Sydney apartment by her abusive fiancé in 2011.
The City of Ryde will continue to raise awareness in the local community about services and assistance available to those experiencing domestic and family violence, as well as support available for individuals seeking to help change violent behaviours.
For more information, go to: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/DomesticViolence
WOMEN’S DAY FORUM
I am looking forward to joining the community at Council’s International Women’s Day Forum, which is
being held at Lachlan’s Line Auditorium on Saturday 7 March from 9.00am – 12.00pm.
The morning will feature keynote speeches by two amazing women – Ronni Kahn AO, CEO of OzHarvest and Sonia Casanova, CEO of Dress for Success – who will share their personal journeys navigating the professional world and growing into the inspiring and influential leaders they are today.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Balance the Scales’, highlighting the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
For more details, go to: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/IWD
SENIORS FESTIVAL
The annual NSW Seniors Festival is currently underway, celebrating the valuable contribution seniors make to our community with the theme of this year’s event being ‘Live life in colour’.
Council is joining in the festivities
with a month-long program featuring a wide variety of events and workshops designed specifically for seniors, and most of which are free.
You can learn about healthy eating and sensory gardening, try croquet and Laughter Yoga, and gain driving and lifesaving skills among many other wonderful opportunities.
For full details, go to: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/SeniorsFestival
Sincerely,
Trenton Brown – Mayor