Toowoomba Sporting Clubs Campaign Against Domestic and Family Violence

Images Supplied/ Olympian and Hockeyroo Karen Smith, Senior Sergeant Jason Hopgood, Darling Downs President Sports Mick Smith, Past High Hockey Club President David Stower and Darling Downs District Officer Superintendent Mark Kelly. Image courtesy of PixelFrame

Toowoomba sporting clubs and organisations are joining together throughout May to promote a non-violent culture as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

Darling Downs Police District Officer Superintendent Mark Kelly said sporting clubs and organisations will play a key role in raising awareness and sending the message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated across Toowoomba.

“Sporting clubs and organisations will also be asked to develop Champions within their sports and codes so the message can better connect with club members and families.”

The campaign is being run by Toowoomba Together Inc (TTI), in partnership with several organisations including the QPS.

The idea for the campaign originated at a Domestic and Family Violence Summit held in Toowoomba on October 5 last year.

At the summit, members of the State Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council, including Dame Quentin Bryce and Darren Lockyer, met with representatives from Toowoomba Together, police and governing sporting bodies.

The ‘Not in Our Club’ concept was developed in 2016 as part of the Queensland Government’s campaign targeting sporting clubs, workplaces, schools and community organisations.

Former Heritage Bank CEO and Chairperson of TTI, Mr John Minz, said involving sporting clubs was an important part of the wider campaign.

‘Not in Our Club’ Steering Committee from left: Peter Rookas, John Minz, Sonya Kupfer (Relationships Australia), Deputy Vice Chancellor Carl Rallings (USQ), Councillor Geoff McDonald (Toowoomba Regional Council), Mick Smith (Sports Darling Downs), Superintendent Mark Kelly (Toowoomba Police), and Peter Jackson (South West Indigenous Network)

“We see this project as tapping into the leadership of sporting organisations and clubs to support social change regarding domestic and family violence,” Mr Minz said.

“We are really seeking to incorporate respectful relationships as the core concept of this campaign – importantly between family members but it also has application across the whole community.”

Past High Hockey Club President David Stower said the club was very excited and proud to be the first involved in the campaign.

He said the club recognised domestic and family violence as a very complex and important issue.

“Any support we can provide to create awareness of the issue and perhaps some assistance to anyone within their club or elsewhere in the community is a good thing to be involved in,” Mr Stower said.

For further information on ‘Not in our Club’ please contact Senior Sergeant Jason Hopgood on 4631 6712.