The Mungindi women’s community are taking a stance

Ten weeks ago, the women of the Mungindi community got together for the first time to raise awareness of domestic violence through a group quilt making course.

The course was designed to help the women of the community discuss issues and experiences of domestic violence, as well as teaching the skills to make their own quilts in the future.

Aboriginal Family Health Project Officer for Hunter New England Health and leader of the program Darlene Crump started the course to raise the awareness of domestic violence in the community of Mungindi.

“I started the program to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence in the community of Mungindi, and to give the women the crafty skills to make their own quilts,” Darlene said.

“The completed group quilt will be donated back to the community and displayed at the Lands Department for everyone to see that the women will not tolerate domestic violence in their community.

“During the program, we watched videos on domestic violence, and also had Anela Carroll from the Women’s Refuge come to talk to the women,” she said.

 An average of seven women at a time participated in the course, with up to nine women on some days.

“The women thoroughly enjoyed the program, as did I. First and foremost, they were able to participate in something dear to their hearts, as well as gaining the skills to make their own quilts.

“The quilt will have a strong message which says that domestic violence is not welcome in the community,” Darlene said.

Darlene is hoping to run a similar course in the Boggabilla community in the near future. This will include screen-printing onto shirts and banners, hoping to raise the same level of awareness as the quilt making program.

“I am really hoping we can run another course in Boggabilla that is as successful as the last,” Darlene said.

“I really want to highlight the great work these women have done. They are really taking a stance against domestic violence and should be commended on their efforts,” she said.

Contact: Nicole Fuller

Phone: (02) 6767 7136