A permanent red bench has popped up outside Mount Isa Hospital entrance and its bright red colour, is designed to stop you in your tracks.
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The bench is part of a greater initiative to shine a light on North West Queensland's alarming domestic and family violence crisis.
The North West Hospital, in partnership with Spinifex State College Mount Isa, the Rotary Club of Mount Isa and the Red Rose Foundation, launched its Red Bench Project Monday as part of National Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.
NWHHS Assistant Clinical Nurse Consultant Alyce Rosenthal said the Red Bench at the hospital entrance served as a permanent reminder to the public that domestic and family violence still occurred in our communities.
"Change starts with a conversation, and we hope the Red Bench will do just that; encourage people in the community to speak out against domestic and family violence," Ms Rosenthal said.
The Rotary Club of Mount Isa donated towards the construction of the bench after being contacted by students from the Spinifex State College Leadership Team.
"The Red Bench would not have been possible without the help of the Spinifex State College Leadership Team for 2021 and the generous donation from the Rotary Club of Mount Isa," Mrs Rosenthal said.
"Domestic and family violence directly impacts children, and to see this group of amazing young people, initiating this Red Bench, speaks volumes that children in our community actively support putting an end to domestic and family violence.
With a simple message, 'Change The Ending: Let's Stop Domestic Violence', the NWHHS hope the Red Bench will highlight the importance of speaking out against abuse.
Spinifex State College principal Phil Sweeney said the College Leadership Team for 2021 was passionate about bringing the conversation of domestic and family violence into the public domain.
"I'm extremely proud of our students working in collaboration with the NWHHS, the Rotary Club of Mount Isa and the Red Rose Foundation to bring the conversation of domestic and family violence out from behind closed doors," Mr Sweeney said.
"It's important that conversations around this issue of violence remain present, respectful and in our communities."
Rotary Club of Mount Isa Treasurer Tracy Pertovt said the Red Bench reinforces their stance against domestic violence.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe at home. Domestic and family violence is unacceptable; it's not a police problem or a government problem. It's everyone's problem," Ms Pertovt said.
"The Rotary Club of Mount Isa is honoured to be part of this initiative. There is no place for family and domestic violence in our community."
There are more than 250 Red Benches across Queensland. The Red Rose Foundation is a National not-for-profit charity that works to end domestic violence.
If you feel like you or someone you know needs help, contact one of the services below:
North Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Service Mount Isa 47430 946
Save The Children Domestic and Family Violence Service Mount Isa 4749 1901
DV Connect Womensline Qld 1800 811 811
DV Connect Mensline Qld 1800600 636
Sexual Assault Line Qld 1800 010 120
In an emergency, call 000.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
