At our club, community has always been at the heart of everything we do. But being part of a community also means standing up when it matters most. With Kempsey ranked in the top 8 regions in NSW for domestic and family violence incidents in 2023, we knew it was time to say: enough is enough.
Every Friday, our team proudly wears purple shirts in solidarity with victims and survivors of domestic and family violence. This initiative, first started by Cherry Street Sports in Ballina, has grown to become a powerful movement we believe in wholeheartedly. Wearing purple is more than just a symbol it’s a statement of awareness, respect, and unity.
But we didn’t stop there. We’ve invested time and funds into awareness training for our staff so they can better understand the issue and help raise awareness in our community. To ensure our support is informed and meaningful, we participated in an awareness session with Kempsey Family Services on domestic and family violence. Their team and many other organisations in our region have been doing outstanding work in this space for years, and we’re greatful for their guidance and ongoing efforts. By training our staff, we’ve strengthened our ability to support victims and help raise awareness across the community. We also brought the initiative to the local Liquor Accord, where it was embraced by businesses right across the Macleay. Today, you’ll see pubs, clubs, and venues of all kinds standing together every Friday, wearing purple to spread the message: domestic and family violence has no place here.
It’s been incredible to witness the support this initiative has gained, and we’re proud to be part of creating real change. We believe awareness leads to conversation, conversation leads to understanding, and understanding leads to action. And when a whole community stands united, that’s when real change begins.
Together, Kempsey can work toward a safer future for all.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, help is available.
Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – a free, confidential 24/7 service offering support, information, and referrals.
Local Help Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Kempsey Family Support Service: (02) 6563 1588
Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre: (02) 6562 8300