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