The newly formed Zonta Club of Kiama-Shellharbour welcomed the community to a poignant Remembrance Ceremony held at Coronation park on Monday 25 November to honour the lives affected by domestic abuse and herald the start of 16 days of activism.

Organised in collaboration with local partners, the ceremony was a community effort. Special thanks were extended to Lyndell Farmer of Artimus Girl for her sound bowl contribution, Brendan Comber from R&R Productions for sound support, Pearl Noire for her performance, Kate Riordan from the Wildflower Studio for sponsoring the flowers, and the Kiama Surf Life Saving Club for providing an alternative wet weather venue.

The ceremony served as both a solemn remembrance and a call to action. As part of Zonta International’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, the event highlighted the ongoing crisis of domestic violence. The campaign runs annually from November 25 to December 10 and aims to mobilise global efforts to address gender-based violence.

Sobering statistics presented during the ceremony painted a stark picture. One in six Australian women and one in 16 men have experienced violence at the hands of a current or former partner. Overall, one in five women and one in 20 men have experienced sexual violence. Alarmingly, one in four children in Australia are exposed to domestic violence, often suffering emotional and psychological trauma that can have lasting effects. On average, one woman every nine days and one man every month loses their life due to domestic violence. Despite the prevalence of abuse, it is significantly under-reported, with studies showing that around 60% of female victims do not contact police due to fear, shame, financial dependence, or lack of support.

The ceremony’s most poignant moment was a symbolic display of shoes, each representing a life lost to domestic violence in the past year. Attendees were invited to read the stories attached to the shoes, providing a personal connection to the tragic impact of abuse. The audience also heard the harrowing story of Hannah Clarke and her three children, whose lives were cut short in a horrific act of domestic violence in 2020.

Lyndell’s sound bowls created a solemn ambience and stirring performances of Let It Be and Hero by Pearl Noire offered moments of solace and reflection. Guests were invited to lay flowers in remembrance as the names of victims were read aloud, reinforcing the importance of honouring those who have been lost while advocating for change.

Acknowledgement was also given to organisations like SAHSSI, which supports women fleeing domestic violence in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, and to first responders—police, paramedics, and firefighters—whose swift actions save lives and provide critical support to families in their darkest moments.

The Zonta Club expressed their gratitude to the community for standing together in solidarity and reaffirmed their commitment to ending domestic violence. The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the urgent need for awareness, support, and meaningful action to create a future where no one suffers from violence and all individuals can live in safety and dignity.

For more information about Zonta’s 16 Days of Activism, visit Zonta International.