Don't Turn a Blind Eye

On the day of the Reclaim the Night March, I attended a different kind of event in Casino, another town in northern NSW (the beef capital).

I had met with Aunty Faye Binge the day before, after talking with her several times by phone before I arrived in Lismore in late October. It was a relief to finally sit down and have a cuppa with her, as I find it much easier to get to know someone in person, than over the phone.

Aunty Faye was one of the organisers of the event, along with Mary Willis and a group of other community women from Malanee Bugilmah and the Women's Community Planning Group, Casino. It was called "Don't Turn a Blind Eye To Sexual Violence", and was a family community event which involved a march down Casino's main street, speakers, musicians and lunch in Civic Hall.

When I arrived at Civic Hall early in the morning, no one was quite sure how many people would turn up. I was also surprised that no one person seemed keen to take charge of organising the hall - seems they are a cooperative bunch, without the power dynamics prevalent in so many other groups I've had dealings with. How refreshing! So I got to help set things up.

The event was very successful, attracting a crowd of about 50 people, and a good mix of ages and Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. I think this was the aim all along. It was also an explicit aim of this event to include men who want to work with women in healing communities affected by sexual violence. I was quite impressed by the sentiments expressed by the two men who spoke - the Mayor and Chris, who is the Manager of Malanee Bugilmah.

They were kind enough to allow me to speak as well, which I did, impromptu and from the heart.

I was shocked to learn that Reclaim the Night was stopped in Casino several years ago, after marchers were abused and threatened by onlookers during their march through the town. It sounds so scary and blatant that men were willing to make public and explicit, their views on women's rights.

This is the kind of event I am always happy to attend, because it was colourful, creative and positive. Community people had made some glorious banners that they were very proud to parade down Main Street, and the feeling in Civic Hall was peaceful and optimistic. I hope they continue to hold these events annually, as is their plan.

**the beautiful artwork on the postcard is by Kylie Sharma, who also happens to by Aunty Faye's daughter.