St Brendan’s College made a strong statement against domestic and family violence on Friday 3 May, holding its third annual Walk Against Domestic Violence along the streets and beaches of Yeppoon as part of its Edmund Rice Feast Day activities.

The 2019 Year 7 students marked out the symbol

for the anti-violence message on Yeppoon beachfront

as part of their Walk Against Domestic Violence - 'the white ribbon'.

 This year, in an even stronger statement, the college had called on parents and significant SBC Old Boy community to walk in solidarity with their 700 students and staff contingent, to ensure the anti-violence message is taken from the school yard, home and into the community.

Assistant Principal Identity, Shane Peers, Fr Matthew Moloney,

CQ Capras representatives and guest speakers Lionel Harbin and David Faiumu

with Principal Robert Corboy and SBC Old Boys representative Cale Dendle.

Students attended Mass at the College before hearing from guest speakers, CQ Capras representatives, Head Coach David Faiumu and Wellbeing Officer Lionel Harbin on respect, good choices, healthy relationships and personal branding, and then walked en masse in their purple ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ shirts to the Beachfront for the annual walk along Main Beach Yeppoon.

St Brendan’s College Principal Mr Robert Corboy said the College was proud to educate sons, brothers, future husbands and fathers at St Brendan’s College about respect and zero tolerance for violence, and applauded the stance taken by the SBC Old Boy community to come on board to support the college and keep this message alive for past students as well. 

“We celebrate the feast day of Edmund Rice today, whose mission of supporting the poor and marginalized is the basis of a St Brendan’s College education, and our walk is a tangible example of standing in solidarity with people in our community impacted by family and domestic violence, as well as living the message that violence will not be tolerated in our community,” Mr Corboy said.

The SBC community is also using the month of May – Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month – to fundraise for the Rockhampton Women’s Shelter; an organization which has benefitted over many years from the collection of handbags and sanitary items by SBC students and families.

This year the College aims to raise $3,000 to buy tangible items to assist women and families in need and is urging their SBC community to assist if they can via the following link https://www.gofundme.com/sbcwalkagainstdomesticviolence

The College acknowledges the generous support of the Queensland Government, Livingstone Shire Council and the St Brendan’s College P&F to support the Walk Against Domestic Violence.