Ballina turns purple as more than 500 march in the annual Walk Against Domestic Violence
Rotary’s home-grown campaign draws its largest crowd yet, with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader praising the community’s united stand for respect and change.
Ballina turned purple on Friday as more than 500 people walked from River Street to the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre (BISC), uniting in the town’s annual stand against domestic and family violence.
Braving the heat, students, families, service organisations, sporting clubs and local businesses joined the walk.
Many wore the now-familiar purple shirts that have become the symbol of the campaign launched by the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond six years ago.
At the rally inside the BISC, Rotary’s Dave Harmon reflected on the growth of the event, which began as a local initiative and has since inspired similar walks across Australia.
“We commenced our first walk against domestic and family violence six years ago, and it was wonderful to see today being the biggest walk we’ve had so far,” Mr Harmon said. “We are a little country town, Ballina. We are showing up our capital cities in what a community can do to promote respectful relationships.”
Mr Harmon told the crowd that domestic and family violence “doesn’t always look like what people imagine,” but community visibility — a walk, a purple shirt, a conversation — helps break stigma and saves lives.
“These things tell people who are struggling that we care,” he said. “Awareness saves lives when people know how to spot the signs and where to find help.”
This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism — young people as the “innocent bystanders” of domestic and family violence — was reflected in the leadership of Ballina Coast High School students, who served as MCs and delivered performances that opened the rally.
An Acknowledgment of Country was delivered by Tyler Roberts-Dyson, recognising the Bundjalung people as traditional custodians.
‘Your presence shows survivors they are not alone’
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader praised the growing movement and thanked the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond for initiating the walk in 2019.
“As I look out here, you are very visible,” Cr Cadwallader told the crowd.
“Once again, Ballina Shire stands together to say no to domestic and family violence.”
She said community visibility, conversation and collective action “save lives”, noting the strength shown at Thursday’s Youth Leaders Breakfast, where high school students heard from state and national experts on respectful relationships and the impacts of violence on young people.
“Their willingness to engage in these conversations is a sign of the cultural change we are working so hard to achieve,” she said.
Cr Cadwallader paid tribute to New South Wales Police, Rotary, local high schools and the many organisations taking part in this year’s walk.
“Your presence today shows survivors that they are not alone,” she said. “It shows young people that respect is the foundation of good relationships, and it shows perpetrators that this community will not stay silent.”
She also acknowledged fellow councillors, school leaders and guest speakers, including NSW Police Strategic Policy and Project Manager Dr Bridget Mottram, who joined the rally after speaking at the youth breakfast yesterday.
Above L to R: Rotary’s Dave Harmon, Mayor Cadwallader, Deputy Mayor Damian Loone and BCHS teacher Matthew Harmon
A community determined to lead change
The rally closed with strong applause, with Ballina Coast High School students performing music and dance pieces during the event, reinforcing a message of strength and unity.
Rotary’s partnership with NSW Police for the 16 Days of Activism continues to emphasise early education, bystander action and respectful relationships — a message echoed throughout the morning.
As Mr Harmon told the crowd, “We all have a role — whether it’s checking in on someone, speaking up, or just showing up in one of our purple shirts. It all matters.”
