By BEN CAMERON
ONE of the Cardinia Shire’s most prominent community leaders has revealed the poor attitudes of some men towards women.
Father of three Brian Paynter, who accepted a cheque for $2,193 from the ladies of Inner Wheel Pakenham after its successful five-cent campaign, said he was deeply upset by an incident involving one of his daughters outside the family home.
“A group of men walked past my daughter washing the car and made lewd comments,” he said.
“Then they came back and did it again. They were lucky I wasn’t there.”
An army of volunteers from Inner Wheel rattled tins for the cause back in August, to raise money for White Ribbon and to shine a light on the issue of violence against women.
Tins were also left with local retailers for the entire month; an idea conceived under the auspices of the Kylie Blackwood Foundation by trustee, Mr Paynter.
While the financial return was indeed a special result, Mr Paynter said he was astounded campaigns like these were still needed.
“It astounds me there’s still a need to raise money for awareness of men’s violence against women,” he said.
“I don’t understand it. It’s terribly upsetting as a father and a husband.
“It’s an extraordinary effort, I’m so proud to be associated with Inner Wheel. I knew I’d found kindred spirits.
“This campaign has quite a personal meaning for me.
“It’s more than just the money, it’s about sending a message.”
A clearly moved Mr Paynter after being presented with the cheque said campaigns such as these were needed more than ever as society’s “sense of community” was on the wane.
“It’s breaking down a little bit,” he said.
“Neighbours don’t know each other anymore. In the past you got a kick in the bum if you did something wrong.
“You were held to account by others.”
He said the problem was underpinned by a simple lack of mutual respect.
“It’s deteriorating,” he said.
“I will stand up and say, that’s enough.
“Will it stop it (violence against women)? Probably not entirely.
“It’s time we grew up and stood up.
“I’m going to make it my personal mission to be a leader and to speak out against it.”
