By Kyra Gillespie
The staff at the Pakenham Marketplace Woolies have thrown their support behind the shire’s annual Walk Against Violence, donating hundreds of dollars’ worth of produce and their participation in the event on Friday 23 November.
The idea came from the Pakenham staff at one of their morning meetings.
“We received an email from the organisers of the walk with some flyers and things just letting us know what was going to happen on the day,” store manager Chris Freame said.
“At our team meeting the following morning we asked if anyone would be interested in getting involved and we actually had quite a few staff members that were keen to get behind it.
“We’re donating water, fruit and sausages, and there are about 15 staff members who are going to join the walk on the day.”
The store is donating around $400 of produce, including five boxes of apples and bananas, 15 slabs of 24-pack water bottles and plenty of sausages to feed the crowd at the end of the walk.
“It’s a really good cause to get behind,” Mr Freame.
The walk will leave the Pakenham Library at 12pm, with the Australian Traffic Control group ensuring walkers are safe as they walk through the town and return to the library.
Supporting and joining the community on the walk will be representatives from Victoria Police, the Department of Justice Sheriffs, family violence services, Cardinia Shire Council employees, local businesses, resident groups, committees, and families.
A Cleanaway truck donning family violence awareness messages will be leading the procession through the streets.
Following the walk, presentations in the Pakenham Hall will follow by Bass MP Brian Paynter, newly-elected Mayor Cr Graeme Moore, and Aligned Leisure Manager Simon Bryson, all of whom are White Ribbon Ambassadors.
“This walk is in its seventh year, commencing initially with three people walking around the Lakeside lake in Pakenham,” organiser Fiona Cost said.
“Instigated by a local resident and Family Violence practitioner Kerrie Thorpe, it has stood the test of time through the continued support and coordination by the Cardinia Family Violence Network.”
Information on services will be available to the community and following the presentations, a free BBQ will be hosted by the Pakenham Rotary Club.
