Launch of The Red Bench, Blackwater

Member for Gregory; Mayor and fellow Councillors; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I at once acknowledge the traditional owners of these lands and extend respectful greetings to Elders and emerging leaders.

When I was sworn in as Governor of Queensland, almost seven years ago, I made a commitment to do everything I could, during my time in office, to promote the welfare of all Queenslanders, wherever they live 

The unveiling of Blackwater’s Red Bench this morning is in direct fulfilment of that commitment, drawing attention to one of the most pervasive and insidious threats to community safety and wellbeing – domestic and family violence.

I am particularly pleased that I have been able to make my first official visit to Blackwater to perform this important unveiling during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

These 31 days, every May, are dedicated to raising awareness and to sending a clear message that this form of violence will not and cannot be tolerated in our communities. 

Tragically, the alarming statistics have continued to climb. However, there is a growing chorus of voices demanding change.

One of the strongest voices in that chorus has been that of the Red Rose Foundation. Now operating Australia-wide, the Foundation’s beginnings were here in Queensland, 17 years ago, and it has fought tirelessly ever since to end the dreadful toll of deaths resulting from domestic and family violence.

The Red Bench Project is the latest of their many imaginative ideas to inspire conversations about the issue.

These permanent, bright red reminders of the existence of violence in the community have now been established in parks, shopping centres and other prominent places in cities and towns across Australia – and the number is growing. 

I am confident that Blackwater’s Red Bench will be as successful as its sister bench established by the Council in Emerald last November. I further hope that, like its vibrant sibling, this bench will invite discussion and encourage people to stop, sit, read the plaque and consider what they might do to help the Red Rose Foundation to fulfill its mission of changing the ending for the victims of domestic and family violence.

I congratulate the Central Highlands Regional Council on their decision to install a Red Bench in Blackwater and now have great pleasure of cutting the ribbon, thereby officially unveiling the Red Bench, Blackwater.

The paint is dry; let the conversations begin!