Gunbalanya says NO MORE

Last Thursday, Gunbalanya community made a public commitment to take action against family violence through launching the NO MORE Campaign.  The NO MORE Campaign challenges the attitudes and behaviors of people using violence by engaging with the wider community to develop plans of action to make communities safe.  

This follows successful campaigns in Maningrida and Ramingining.  The NO MORE Campaign is supported by community partners including CatholicCare NT, NT Police and AFLNT.

Superintendent Michael Hebb of the Remote Policing Command said “This collaboration has realised significant achievements in several remote communities, most recently Ramingining and Maningrida.  The NO MORE Campaign strengthens communities through sport and delivers powerful messaging in order to reduce family violence.  NT Police are strong supporters of the NO MORE Campaign and will be out in numbers in Gunbalanya this Thursday with the local community.  Safety is everybody’s right.”

Prime Minister and Cabinet Advisor for Gunbalanya, Tony O’Leary has been working with Prime Minister and Cabinet Indigenous Engagement Officer, Donna Nadjamerrek, to gather support locally for the launch.

“This opportunity was seen as a chance to pause and to focus on family violence with a positive community event. The NO MORE Campaign launch was also seen as an opportunity to bring the community together. The Traditional Owners and many of the local service providers have come on board to help the event be a success.

“The vehicle of sport and in particular, the recent re-establishment of a local football competition has been used to deliver the say ‘NO MORE to family violence’ message. Gunbalanya like many communities across Australia has problems with family violence regularly,” said O’Leary.

NO MORE Campaign Founder, Charlie King said he was really pleased to see another Top End community take a really strong stance against family violence.

“We are proud to see these communities join the NO MORE Campaign and link up with each other. We hope that by their actions they will encourage other communities to link up as well,” King said.

The launch included a community march, talks with school children about respect, talks with the mother’s group, a football match and a community BBQ.