Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women: Family violence affects every single Victorian and we'll no longer allow it to be hidden behind closed doors. The Victorian Government in partnership with the City of Melbourne and the Victim Survivors' Advisory Council is delivering on its commitment to create a Family Violence Memorial. This memorial will honour the lives of victim survivors and will be an ongoing reminder of the importance of building a future where all Victorians are free from family violence. I'm privileged to unveil the design today. The memorial will be located at St Andrews Reserve in the heart of Melbourne and will become a space for remembering, for reflection and for healing. The design will provide a place to gather and reflect, with the grassed area providing space for small and large gatherings. The memorial is formed around a paved deck that will lead to the gathering area where people can pause and remember, while feeling comforted and supported in the shelter of the beautiful tree. This tree is central to the design, defining the passing of time and bringing renewal and hope each season. Throughout the design process we have consulted with traditional owners to ensure the memorial is inclusive and welcoming for all. A smoking vessel and inscription sits centrally within the landscape recognising the cultural significance of the site. Defining the memorial a field of purple flowers will bloom in various hues throughout the year, reflecting the global movement to end family violence and violence against women. This memorial acknowledges and honours those whose lives have been impacted while also looking forward with hope and determination for change. Can I thank everyone who has assisted us to finalise this design, particularly the past and present members of our Victim Survivors' Advisory Council. Your feedback and endorsement have been integral to this project. This is a memorial for all Victorians but it holds particular importance and significance for you. May it provide us all with a place to dream of a future free from violence.
Jennifer Jackson, Chairperson Victim Survivors' Advisory Council: We remember and honour the lives of those lost and the potential that those lives held. This memorial holds their names, their stories and their memories. And as we look with hope to a brighter future, the Victims Survivors' Advisory Council hopes that this beautiful landscape will remind each and every member of our community of the role that we all play to prevent family violence. It is a place where we can all dream of a future without violence. We are all part of the solution.
Voiceover: Authorised by the Victorian Government 1 Treasury Place Melbourne
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