Armidale community stands together for The Clothesline Project

As part of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, Women’s Shelter Armidale is inviting the community to come together for The Clothesline Project, a free and powerful awareness event taking place in the Armidale Mall on Wednesday 10 December from 11am to 2pm.

The Clothesline Project transforms simple t-shirts into moving public messages of hope, grief, solidarity, and strength. Each shirt is decorated with a statement or story written by community members to honour victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

The display stands not only as a memorial, but also as a collective call to action. Organisers say the aim is simple: to show people in danger that they are not alone, and to help shift the culture that allows violence to continue.

Kristy Harris, who is a case worker for the Women’s Shelter Armidale, tells us that this is the 4^th year the Clothesline Project has appeared in Armidale.

“It is such a powerful project because the shirts display real people’s words – messages of both personal lived experience, and support for those who need it. Our community can then take the time to read these messages, and it really aids in that overall sense of solidarity – no one is alone,” she said.

The community has already very much jumped on board with the project, with an unnamed school even sending a bus load of students down to participate in designing their own shirts for the display.

“The messages that these students wrote are some of the most incredible ones I’ve seen so far,” said Ms Harris.

“I’m so glad to see our youth involved because the change often comes with the next generation.”

The event comes at a critical time for the New England region. Local demand for support at Women’s Shelter Armidale has risen by more than 25 per cent each year for the past two years. Recent NSW crime data shows Armidale experiences approximately one domestic-violence-related assault for every 100 residents, placing the area among the highest-risk regional locations in the state. Region-wide, domestic violence rates now sit at just over double the NSW average.

A sobering message reflected in the shirts on display.

“We will have some white shirts on display on the day,” said Ms Harris.

“63 for women and 23 for children who have all died due to domestic violence in Australia in January this year – and sadly by the time we get to the 10^th of December, that number will likely be even higher.”

Ms Harris said that there will be at least 12 other support services on site on the day, including organisations like North and Northwest Community Legal Service, Uniting Care, Headspace, Amaroo and Sora Community Services. Mayor Sam Coupland and Brandan Moylan MP will also be in attendance.

Women’s Shelter Armidale has been part of the region’s safety net for decades. Its beginnings were humble: two local women meeting victims in a sheep paddock after dark, using their cars as makeshift safe havens until better arrangements could be made.

The Shelter now offers support 24/7 support, 365 days a year, a fact that Ms Harris very much wants to emphasise, especially in the lead up to Christmas.

“There are so many aspects to domestic violence, and they all tend to be exacerbated at this time of year – there’s financial pressure, everyone is together more with work and school closures,” she said.

“But we want people to know we are here, we are working, right the way through the holiday season. We even have a toll-free hotline at 1800 005 352 that you can call any time of day. It’s important even just to start the conversation.”

“There’s no judgement and we are here to support you.”

Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, the Shelter is also running a fundraising raffle at Centro to support women, children and young people accessing crisis accommodation, outreach, and specialist support. Community members can stop by the booth to learn more, buy a ticket, or speak with the team. All prizes and terms are displayed at the stall.

The Shelter is urging locals to take three simple but meaningful actions:

Call abuse what it is, rather than minimising it as “conflict”.
Believe women, children and young people when they say they do not feel safe.
Back specialist services so that when someone reaches out, a safe door is open.

Domestic and family violence is not inevitable. It changes when communities do. The Clothesline Project offers a chance for Armidale to stand together, speak up, and support those who deserve to live free from fear.

Women’s Shelter Armidale is available 24/7 on 1800 005 352 for anyone in Armidale, Guyra, Uralla or Walcha who does not feel safe at home.

If you need help or are upset by this story, please seek support.