Womens Shelter Armidale will ask the community to stop and remember every life lost to violence this year, as it joins a statewide push to stop gender-based violence before it starts.
“Behind every life lost to violence is a person with a name, a story and a future that should have been theirs,” said Kristy Harris, from Womens Shelter Armidale.
“Their loss leaves families, friends and communities changed forever.”
The shelter will host Remember My Name, a community event honouring those who have lost their lives to violence in 2026, on Thursday, 10 December at Legacy Hall, 89 Faulkner Street, Armidale.
It begins at 4pm with a free community barbecue, followed by a film screening at 5.30pm.
Through a film created by the shelter, the evening will remember those lives, acknowledge the grief of those left behind, and reflect on the urgent need for change. The event is expected to be particularly important for many in the community grieving the death of Maria Brown, allegedly killed by her partner in Armidale last week.
“We hope everyone who attends leaves with a deeper understanding of the impact of violence and a commitment to helping build a safer community,” Ms Harris said.
The shelter has also received a $5,000 NSW Government grant for its Armidale Purple Bench and Lives Remembered Community Action Project.
The Purple Bench Project encourages in installation of purple benches in public spaces to honour all victims killed as a result of family and domestic violence. There is one in Tamworth which is similar to what is planned for Armidale.
It is one of 21 grassroots initiatives sharing in more than $100,000 for this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from Wednesday, 25 November to Thursday, 10 December.
The grants support community forums, workshops, youth-led initiatives, and other events promoting gender equality and respect.
“Domestic and family violence affects communities across our state, and preventing it requires everyone to play a role,” said Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison.
“That’s why we are investing in grassroots initiatives that promote respectful and healthy relationships, and address the attitudes, stereotypes and inequalities that can drive gender-based violence.”
“We’re empowering communities in New South Wales to take action, to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in meaningful ways to create a future where violence is never tolerated and everyone can live safely,” Ms Harrison said.
“We cannot change the stories that have ended, but together we can help change the stories still being written.”
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