Mural honours lost women and their families

A VERSION of a Melbourne mural of women lost to their communities due to violence in the past few years was re-created in Ballarat this week.

The She Matters Mural now features on Cafs’ building along Hancock’s Lane and was installed on Monday 2 March.

Creator Sherele Moody said her work had been duplicated here because of women killed in Ballarat before and during 2024.

Ms Moody, who first made the mural in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane on International Women’s Day in 2025, said it was a tribute to the women and their families.

“So it’s to say Ballarat cares about you, we’re not going to forget about your women and we’re not going to forget about the other women,” she said.

“We’re going to make a change and we’re going to make sure that we save women’s lives, that we don’t lose them.”

The mural contains photos and names of women killed by all forms of violence in Australia since 1 January 2024.

Based on her online project She Matters, Ms Moody had continued work on the mural because of public response.

“It resonated with a lot of people,” she said. “And so I’ve kept it going for that reason.”

Ms Moody said these women meant something to many people.

“If people can come down and have a look at the mural, if they can read the little explainer that’s on it, if they can have a step back and have a look at the faces on the project, and what they’ll see is that these are just everyday faces,” she said.

The mural was installed by volunteers and led by Ms Moody, the team from Women’s Health Grampians, and supported by Respect Victoria.

If you or someone you know needs support, phone 1800RESPECT (737 732) or Ballarat’s Orange Door on 1800 219 819.