Southern Aboriginal Corporation Narrogin marks 10 years of Ochre Ribbon Week for domestic violence survivors

Community members in Narrogin came together to support domestic violence survivors with an arts and crafts event focused on personal growth and nourishment.

A small group gathered at Southern Aboriginal Corporation in Narrogin on Thursday morning to mark the 10th anniversary of Ochre Ribbon Week, which this year celebrates the theme “Don’t Silence the Violence”.

The campaign hopes to stop violence by creating a safer community while the colour and loop of the ochre ribbon illustrate the connection to land and people.

Attendees used vibrant paints in various shades to decorate a terracotta pot plant containing a flower seedling.

SAC community support officer Breeanna Jetta-Bolton said planting the seed stood for “healing and growth, positive love and nurturing together”.

“We incorporated ochre colours to paint with, which represents women, children and men in domestics, to create something meaningful and it exhibits a deep connection to country,” she said.

“By planting a seedling to water, nurture and watch grow, it reflects nurturing your own life, which connects to our initiative ‘from little things big things grow’.”

Ms Jetta-Bolton said Ochre Week encouraged everyone to create a safer and happier community.

“We reflect in the resilience and strength of our people and the survivors of abuse, who hold many of the solutions needed to pave our own pathways to better standards of social, economic, and physical safety and well-being,” she said.

“The Ochre Ribbon Campaign reminds all of us to take proactive steps towards contributing to making our communities safer, happier and healthier places for our people to thrive.”