VIOLENCE OF THE HOUSEHOLD KIND
ARARAT JOINS THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
While the brutal war against the Iraqi people - many of them women
and children - rolled on, a conference in Ararat sponsored by the
Grampians Community Health Centre spent Friday 28 March hearing
about the terror inflicted on many women in Australian homes.
EVEN IN IDYLLIC TOWNS WOMEN GET MURDERED
On Monday 1 April a man from the district will be in court in Hamilton
charged with murdering Delwyn Richards. The dead woman was his wife,
and at the Committal the man admitted strangling her to death. Every
person is entitled to a fair trial and due process, but it will
surprise no one if the spectre of provocation emerges in the court.
Essentially that involves a man (it's not a defense much used by
women) arguing that the woman's actions caused him to lose self
control and do what he did. We'll report on the case on this page.
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
At the conference, the booklet 'What's Love got to do with it?'
was tabled by one of the authors, Rhonda Cumberland. Clear and systematic
the booklet lays bare the true facts about family violence and manner
in which it has been hidden from the public view. We can only hope
that the 2003 Law Reform Commission Report is as forthright about
the way violence in the home is explained away in the culture tapestry
and the courts.
IF IT'S FOOTBALL YOU WANT
ARARAT V HORSHAM (WIMMERA LEAGUE) ON APRIL 5 AT ARARAT
Ararat's Gason Rats take on Horsham in the opening round of the
Wimmera League 2003 season at the picturesque Alexandra Oval on
Saturday. The ground is in great nick despite the drought thanks
to the state-of-the-art recycled water system put in place in the
city a few years ago.
Ararat will be looking to avenge its loss in the grand final last
year against Warracknabeal, and will like nothing better than the
chance to do this against one of its arch rivals, Horsham. While
the rivalry isn't as strong as the one between Ararat and its neighbouring
town Stawell, it's enough to guarantee a tough contest, with nothing
short of complete domination acceptable to either side.
David Jennings' Gason Rats will be out to show they still have
what it takes despite the shock grand final loss of 2002 and the
defection of several valuable players to the Ararat Eagles (who
play in the lower profile Lexton League).
Toughness and determination will be the order of the day, and the
excitement among the locals is building with the prospect of a cracker
game to open the season, played on the Rats home turf.
AND FINALLY
My thanks to Desley Scott and all who played a role in organising
the conference and inviting me to speak. It was great to see the
new Mayor, the CEO of the hospital and members of the local branch
of the ALP at the night.
Special thanks also to Chris and Cecilia Fresle who put me up in
their beautiful self-contained apartment at 24 Banfield Street.
For details go to - www.araratholidayhomes.com.au - 03 5352 3862