Rosie Batty visits Ramingining

A letter from Rosie Batty on her recent visit to Ramingining where she celebrated the success of the community's efforts to reduce family violence. East Arnhem Regional Council and other services in Ramingining have done a great job working with the local people.

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Perhaps the best thing about the journey we are taking together are the moments when we can celebrate progress.

I want to share one of these stories of hope with you today.

Last week I was privileged to travel to a remote community in the Northern Territory to learn about an inspiring program that has made a real difference.

This was a community that only a few short years ago was being torn apart by violence.

I imagine most of you will have never heard of it. But today, we will celebrate it.

A little but strong community of 800 people located on the edge of Arnhem Land—Ramingining.

My trip was so very special.

Just imagine it. This is a tiny community in one of the most remote places on earth. It has a small airstrip, general store, school, police station and a health clinic with a fly in doctor. That’s it.

The community's strength is its people. 

The genuine passion shared by everyone and huge respect for this community was so evident. It was such an incredible experience and very emotional.

I want everyone to see how many people truly and genuinely care about our Aboriginal communities and help support them in many ways that we can't even begin to understand.

I met with local Elders, toured workshops and discussed the extremely successful NO MORE Campaign that has reduced instances of family violence in Ramingining rapidly. It is thought that already the reduction could be as much as 70%.

Through education, employment workshops and extremely successful Aussie Rules football and basketball leagues for both men and women, NO MORE has brought together the community and made great progress in creating respect across the genders.

It was truly inspiring to meet members of the Ramingining community and to congratulate them for their progress. 

There is so much to be done but for this community right now they have a right to feel empowered and proud of the good things that are happening. I was so touched and my story touched their hearts too. Violence is no more a part of their true culture than it is of ours.

Of course, there is so much still to do. Every single woman and child deserves to live free from the fear of violence and we won’t rest until we’re there. 

But, it’s OK to celebrate achievements like these along the way.

Thanks for standing with me,

Rosie