Pau’s love power
OFFENCES of violence in our community are always of great concern to the public and the police.
The impact that violence has on victims, their families and friends is always huge.
We are all aware of someone who has been affected by violence, whether it is family violence, a coward punch or some type of road rage incident. We are exposed to violence through the media and are horrified by some of the behaviour occurring in society.
Any form of violence is unacceptable and we all have a role to play in reducing violence, whether it is by educating our families and friends, children or others in the community.
Often significant events close to home galvanise the community to take a stand and force changes in society.
In 2006, a violent assault occurred in the Geelong Mall. It was an incident that changed the security setting of the Geelong Central Activities Area.
The police, in partnership with local government and council, formed an alliance that led to the introduction of security cameras.
These are still in place today and are continually monitored by police and council members, which leads to a safer place for our community to be.
A crime that shocked all of society was the brutal murder of Jill Meagher in Brunswick in 2012.
Quite rightly community outrage at this incident bought local residents, police, government agencies and community groups together to take a stance against violence in our community.
In response to violence in our community, Maryann Talia Pau created the One Million Stars against Violence Project.
Its objective is to end all forms of violence and is a peaceful global weaving project that encourages people to be the light and kindness they want to see in the world.
As a personal response to continuing violence in the community, Pau chose the weaving of stars to bring people together.
It involves people from all around the world, to connect and stand together in the belief that they can end all forms of violence.
The One Million Stars against Violence project has been set up to help raise awareness to the fact that we can all do something to help bring an end to domestic violence, violence on our streets, racism and harassment occurring in our communities. Community groups throughout the world have been weaving stars and sharing the message of ending all forms of violence in the community. Each star represents a person’s commitment to practise light, hope, courage and solidarity and the One Million Star installations will be a peaceful statement against all forms of violence in our communities. Pau’s hope is for the community to weave One Million Stars and these stars will be installed and highlighted at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. In Geelong, Victoria Police have joined with numerous community groups, including Northern Bay College and Matthew Flinders High School to weave stars and spread the message of ending all forms of violence in our community.
The stars are proudly displayed at the Geelong Police Station and the Geelong Myer store.
One Million Stars will hopefully reflect the message of ending all forms of violence in our community. It will mean different things for different people but Pau’s personal hope is that the installation allows men, women and children regardless of race, culture or belief to feel like they are part of a community and a world that cares.
Pau’s hope is that the sight of One Million Stars shows just how much we can achieve when we work together to create change and that it inspires a sense of hope, pride and belonging in our communities.
I believe that Pau’s initiative is fantastic and that together in the community we can do more to end all forms of violence, whether at home, on the street or on the sporting field.
My challenge to everyone is to put into practice what they believe will help reduce violence in our community.
Acting Inspector John Clark is Local Area Commander.