MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Monday, the Fitzroy Valley Community united to launch *Us Without Abuse* — a powerful, community-led campaign to challenge family violence and elder abuse across the Kimberley.
Co-developed by Kimberley Community Legal Services and Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, this initiative seeks to challenge harmful behaviours, promote accountability, and empower individuals to take a stand against abuse. The campaign has been running for six months across television, radio, online platforms, and community spaces, featuring local Kimberley voices and stories to build strong regional recognition.
The launch event was a joint effort between Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, Kimberley Community Legal Services, and Legal Aid WA. It aimed to amplify the campaign’s message and formally bring it to the Fitzroy Valley on the ground.
The day began with a community march led by Gurama Yani U (Men’s Shed) to the Fitzroy oval, where the community gathered to enjoy lunch, live music by local artists including Olive Knight, Ethan Hoade, and Andrew Shandley, as well as fun activities like face painting and a slip-and-slide.
Fitzroy Valley leaders Emily Carter and Peter Murray delivered powerful speeches, urging the community to come together to end family violence and elder abuse and support happy, healthy, thriving families.
With an estimated 400 people in attendance, the event was a strong display of unity across generations, sending a clear message: abuse is not welcome in our community.
Emily Carter AM, CEO of Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, said: “This is not just a message – it’s a movement. A call for accountability, healing and action. In the Fitzroy Valley, we don’t wait for solutions – we lead them.”
The campaign has also been nominated for the upcoming Community Service Excellence Awards, with winners to be announced at the WACOSS Conference on Monday, 15 May.
Christine Robinson, CEO of Kimberley Community Legal Services, said: “We are excited to be joining local communities and organisations to bring the campaign face to face with people across the region. Being recognised in the upcoming awards would be a brilliant way to amplify this powerful campaign and continue making a meaningful impact on such a vital issue.”
Media contact:
Akira Boardman – 0431385255
