Tile king Frank has new quest
FRANK Walker is familiar to many people thanks to his radio catch-cry “Helloooo, Frank Walker from National Tiles”.
But the Melbourne businessman, who set up the first National Tiles store in Grovedale in 1979, wants to be known for something much more important: improving the lives of the one million Australian children being raised in family violence.
Along with his wife, Rhonda, he has founded the Family Peace Foundation to help bring about a “peaceful upbringing for every Australian child”.
This goal has become more than just a passion; it is now his driving force and life’s work.
Mr Walker, 63, has been married to Rhonda for 44 years, and they have seven children and 12 grandchildren. At this point in his life he has every justification to concentrate on his golf handicap, overseas jaunts and grandkids.
However, a watershed moment in 2013 changed everything.
“One of my daughter’s friends came to me and said, ‘Frank, you have no idea what your daughter has been through in the last two years,’” he said.
“She had been living behind a horrible veil of family violence. I spent three hours with my daughter at the police station and listened to the physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse she suffered,” Mr Walker said.
“Rhonda and I grieved privately. We asked ourselves many times, how could this happen?
“My daughter told me the man had taken away her soul; she couldn’t decide anything for herself, such as whether she could or couldn’t buy a loaf of bread.”
It’s the first time he has spoken publicly about the issue.
Mr Walker began thinking about how he could help others avoid the same fate.
He has established the Family Peace Foundation, which aims to strengthen families by offering research-based education on reducing family conflict and improving relationships delivered via commercial radio announce- ments, an approach that draws heavily on the Transport Accident Commission’s actions to reduce the road toll.
“We don’t have to prove this works. Look at ‘ Knock off Five’. We know this works,” Mr Walker said. “The evidence suggests that 90 per cent of people can change behaviour over time with education”.
The foundation’s board is chaired by Greg Larsen, partner of the Adelante Group, and includes psychologists Dr Michael CarrGregg and Sabina Read. The directors work on the foundation’s board pro bono.
Dr Carr-Gregg said the project was “very exciting”.
“There is evidence this approach does work, but no one has had the money or commitment to do it on this scale before,” he said.
The foundation, which is a taxdeductible charity, is seeking financial support from government, businesses and individuals and is seeking to raise $12 million annually to fund nationwide radio announcements. Details are at Familypeace.org.au