Clubs unite against violence

CHERRY Street Sports Club will host a Purple Friday launch as part of a statewide push to unite clubs in tackling domestic and family violence.

The ClubsNSW event will be held as a morning tea on Friday, May 8.

Clubs across the state will turn purple, with staff wearing badges, hats and shirts to raise awareness.

The Ballina launch carries added significance, with the local initiative among the first to adopt Purple Friday in partnership with the Rotary Club of Ballina Richmond.

The campaign has since expanded statewide, bringing together community members, support services and club representatives as it continues to grow.

Guest speakers and local domestic and family violence support organisations will attend, alongside information stalls aimed at encouraging awareness and action.

Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond’s Dave Harmon said the local response had grown rapidly since it began in 2023.

“Our club, along with Cherry Street Sports Club, asked Ballina businesses to join us in wearing our purple shirts every Friday,” he said.

“We had 80 businesses sign up within two weeks and we provided 1,000 shirts.

“We now have more than 100 businesses participating, including doctors’ surgeries, schools, council staff, retail, hospitality and trades.”

ClubsNSW said the initiative aims to strengthen education, early intervention and support for victim-survivors across the club sector.

Cherry Street Sports Club and Ballina RSL Club were among those represented at the Clubs for Community United Against Violence gala night in Sydney last year.

Ballina domestic violence advocate Lisa Lowe featured in a promotional video launching the campaign.