‘Deadly Bike’ to raise awareness

Wimmera White Ribbon Committee will raffle a ‘Deadly Bike’ at Horsham Plaza to raise money and awareness for victims of men’s violence against women.

Raffle tickets for the bike, donated by Horsham’s Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative, will be on sale at Horsham Plaza every Monday from November 5 to 19 in the leadup to White Ribbon Day on Friday, November 23.

The Deadly Bike program is an initiative by Goolum Goolum in which indigenous youths in the region re- store and make over old bicycles. The bikes are then donated to community members and groups.

Wimmera White Ribbon Committee chairman Geoff Miller said the bike raffle would generate community discussion about violence against women.

“The money raised will be donated to local groups who support victims of domestic violence, and it raises awareness of the issue,” he said.

“We’re very appreciative of Goolum Goolum’s initiative to donate this bike as a fundraiser.”

Goolum Goolum family services manager Carolyn Stow, who is also a White Ribbon committee member, said it made sense to support the cause.

“Working in family services you come into contact with victims and perpetrators of family violence,” she said.

“Some of the kids working on the bikes are in the at-risk category, so it fits nicely around the work we’re trying to do with them.”