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16 Days of Activism 2020

Community members have told us what respect means to them as part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

If you are experiencing or at risk of experiencing violence, help is available. You can access help 24/7 by calling Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or by visiting safesteps.org.au

If you are worried your behaviour might be harming your partner or family members, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 to speak to a specialist counsellor.

For more information, go to the Respect Victoria website.

Chris Thorne — Chris Thorne - I am a proud Aboriginal Man who works as a Community Support Worker for the Koolin Balit Program here in Central Hume. As a proud Aboriginal man growing up i learnt to respect all women because they were giving the gift from our creator to give life and without this there is no mob or no family.

Keith O'Brien - I currently work as the Assistant Chief Officer (Regional Manager) with Victoria State Emergency Service for the Hume Region based in Benalla. I have accountability for over 770 volunteers throughout North East Victoria. I am a strong advocate for gender and cultural inclusiveness in SES. Respect is essential in all relationships Respect builds trust and feelings of safety, which is essential for all healthy relationships and a persons feeling of wellbeing. Respect isn't always learnt naturally and we all need to work with others to create a culture of respect in our community.

Doris Billingsley - I have lived in Benalla for 22 years. I enjoy volunteering and helping in community projects. I love to garden, sing, dance and laugh! Respect to me is being treated as an equal, feeling included in the conversation and being listened to and my opinion being valued. Respect is also being kind and conscientious and thoughtful in your delivery.

Michael Donehue - Former Benalla local, living in Melbourne, with a passion to start important conversations relating to mental health. To me, respect means treating others the way you wish to be treated, regardless of race, age, gender or sexuality.

Teegan Doyle - I'm a Youth Worker in town and have worked in Benalla for nearly five years. I have studied psychology, and have a background in social work. To me, respect means consistently treating others with fairness, kindness and with no judgement. It means implementing ways to promote equity and equality.

John Holschier — John Holschier - Bowen therapist living and practicing in Benalla. Chair of Waminda Community House. Married to my best friend Sally for thirty years. "Recognising that everyone has a value and treating them accordingly. Knowing that when I do something around the house I'm not just ""helping my wife"" I'm doing my share."

Vice Captain Ebony Mathieson — Vice Captain Ebony Mathieson - Hi, my name is Ebony Mathieson, I am a Year 12 student at Benalla P-12 College. I’ve lived and worked on my family dairy farm my entire life and i love helping other people. Respecting women means creating a safer environment for present and future generations to grow up in.

Catherine James - I am a mother who is currently finishing her Masters of Social Work degree while completing a placement at Benalla Family Services. I have lived in Benalla for most of my life and love being apart of the community. To me, respect means that my gender does not define how people interact with me. That I am treated as an equal within my professional and personal lives.

Jason Lang - I am a young Benalla resident who is passionate about eliminating violence against women. To me, respect means how we as individuals treat ourselves and each other. Respect to me looks like kindness, fairness and never discriminating against others regardless of their gender. I strongly believe that everyone deserves a ‘fair go’ and to be treated equally. This is what respect means to me.

Justin James — Justin James - My name is Justin, I’m a teacher, a husband, a son, a brother and a father of two incredible boys. Respect is being aware of another person’s rights or feelings. For me, it is the acknowledged that my wife and I share equal responsibility in every part of our relationship. In a school setting it is respecting a student’s right to be themselves and teaching them how they learn best.

Leading Senior Constable Paula Allen - I am the Youth Resource Officer for the Benalla Police Service Area. I am passionate about equality and community engagement, particularly in the youth sector. To me, respect is a life choice. It's behaving consistently civil, non-judgemental and in a trustworthy manner towards other beings and our environment. The practice of patience and selflessness to check we treat others fairly, honestly and without prejudice invites respect from other and of self.

School Captain Edward Mentiplay-Smith — School Captain Edward Mentiplay-Smith - I am a Benalla P-12 College School Captain and have represented the community in many volunteer groups. Respecting women means striving for equality in every facet of our lives.

Robert MacGregor - I’m 28 years old married with two kids and a local electrician. What respect means to me is simply treating people the way you wish to be treated irrespective of gender, race, religion or sexuality.

Jim Renkin OAM - I am a 4th generation farmer in the Lima district producing fine wool, fat lambs and beef cattle. I have volunteered for many organisations and am heavily involved in the CFA. To me, respect means recognising that everyone has a right to their views, even if they differ from mine. I may not like what they are saying but I need to listen without resorting to unkind words. I also believe that woman should be treated equally and should not be subject to violence in any form and shown respect.

Dr Dennis O'Brien — Dr Dennis O'Brien - Former Associate Professor and Head of Dookie College (University of Melbourne). Currently Chair of Winton Wetlands Committee of Management, Benalla Health Board and Benalla Gallery Committee - Respect to me is about recognising the dignity individuals and their right to be themselves and to be safe, valued, included and listened to.

Sally Matheson — Sally Matheson - I've lived and worked in Benalla for 21 years. I am passionate about the education, health and wellbeing of our children and young people. To me, respect means having a deep understanding of your personal values - what behaviour you model and the behaviours you expect and accept from others. Respect for self must come before respect for others.

Patricia Bollard - Proud Aboriginal Elder — Patricia Bollard - Proud Aboriginal Elder - I am an Aboriginal elder in Benalla. I am 85 years old having moved to Benalla 36 years ago. Like many Aboriginal people I am not living in the nation of my ancestry. My people, the Palawa people come from Northeast Tasmania. I spent most of my working life in Canberra. I love living in Benalla with my faithful dog Hamish. To me, respect means * treating people as we would like to be treated ourselves. It means acknowledging that women are just as worthy as men, that the colour of skin, religion, racial origin, sex and age have nothing to do with merit, that other people have a right to their own views and just because they differ from ours they’re not necessarily wrong. “Respect” is the opposite of violence - physical, verbal or attitudinal. It can be quiet tolerance or admiration but it must be positive, rather than negative. Treating people as we would like to be treated ourselves.

Tom Arnold — Tom Arnold - I'm Community Development Coordinator at Benalla Council, father of three amazing children, and passionate advocate for paisley shirts. Respect to me is treating everyone fairly, listening, and taking the time to understand things from a different perspective.

Mark Blyss — Mark Blyss - I've been working as a yoga teacher since 1999. Also currently as a mentor for teenage boys. Respect means to me is something that everyone deserves.

Sam Hazell — Sam Hazell - I have lived, played sport and worked as an educator in Benalla for most of my life. I am currently the Campus Principal at the Waller Street Campus of Benalla P-12 College. To me, respect means treating everyone as an equal and showing this through your words, actions and behaviours.

Dan Pendavingh — Dan Pendavingh - Live in Glenrowan with my wife Els and one year old daughter Juliet. I work as an ecologist for the Victorian State Government. Respect means treating people with dignity and acknowledging they have value and legitimacy as a member of the community or family.

School Captain Jessie Gervasoni — School Captain Jessie Gervasoni. Hello, My name is Jessie Gervasoni and I am a Year 12 student at Benalla P-12 College. I currently work a part time job as a stable hand. I wish to further my career in the Outdoor and Sport field because I love learning and teaching others about teamwork. Respecting women means having the equal opportunity and right to do what you love and are passionate about.

John O’Loughlin — John O'Loughlin - I have been married for 38 years. I have three daughters. I moved to Benalla from Beechworth to start work as apprentice butcher and now working at Benalla Health. To me, respect means treating everyone equally.

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