Fifty-two red roses were laid at Randwick’s annual Family and Domestic Violence Community Remembrance Vigil on 6 May, each representing one of the women who lose their lives to domestic violence in Australia every year.
The vigil marked National Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day. It has become an established tradition since 2022, when Randwick Council installed a permanent memorial plaque reading “No more violence No more silence” in partnership with the local Domestic Violence Support Network.
The timing coincides with Domestic Violence Prevention Month and occurs nationally across Australia on the first Wednesday of May each year. Communities light candles to symbolise remembrance, hope, and collective commitment to end men’s violence against women and children.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker emphasised the community’s role in breaking silence around domestic violence. “The statistics around violence against women and children suggests it is vital that we, as a community, continue to talk about domestic violence and ensure that women feel safe to ask for help, knowing they will be believed and supported,” Parker said.
The stark reality underlies the memorial’s urgency. In Australia, one woman is murdered each week by someone known to her.
Parker stressed that domestic violence extends beyond individual households into community responsibility. “This plaque is a reminder that we must speak up when we see instances of control, abuse or violence. We cannot stay silent because it is not a private matter, hidden away in other people’s homes,” he said.
Randwick Council provides practical support through multilingual wallet cards explaining coercive control and non-fatal strangulation in English, Arabic, Bengali, Spanish and Chinese. The cards are available by calling 9093 6000 or emailing the council.
Randwick Council did not make community members or support network representatives available for comment beyond the official ceremony.
The permanent memorial ensures year-round recognition of the domestic violence crisis, contrasting with temporary displays that mark only annual observances. The plaque serves as a daily reminder to residents passing through the civic precinct.
Quick Facts
Randwick City Council
Local government authority covering the Eastern Suburbs area of Sydney, led by Mayor Dylan Parker. The council has been actively involved in domestic violence prevention initiatives since establishing a permanent memorial in 2022.
Eastern Suburbs Domestic Violence Network
Community organisation that partners with Randwick Council to provide domestic violence support services and resources. The network collaborates on creating multilingual information materials and supporting community awareness initiatives.