Family Violence Memorial inauguration
Master of Ceremonies: Liana Papoutsis
Community engagement and participation:
Our Centre member, Liana Papoutsis was the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the Family Violence Memorial inauguration event and spoke of her journey pertaining to the memorial. Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Gabrielle Williams formally opened the memorial alongside Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council (VSAC) Chair, Jennifer Jackson.
Other speakers included Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Women; Sally Capp, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne; Jennifer Jackson, Chair, VSAC; Amy Muir, Director, Muir Architecture; and Mark Jacques, Director, Openwork.
Background:
Plans to build the memorial were jointly announced by the Victorian Government and City of Melbourne in December 2015. Victim Survivors Advisory Council (VSAC) partnered with the City of Melbourne to find a venue for the memorial which was to be a place of reflection and solace. Over six years of collaboration with architects and other stakeholders has ensured that this memorial is symbolic and a testament to the strength of the lived experience. Fast forward to the 4 April 2022 the memorial was formally inaugurated.
Location and significance
The memorial is located at the corner of St Andrews Place and Lansdowne St, Melbourne and is centred around vibrant purple flowers. It is accessible to all and there is a welcoming area with a circular seat around an English elm tree which provides a quiet space. The tree is central to the design and represents the passing of time, renewal and a hopeful future.
There is a smoking vessel embedded in the memorial that will facilitate Indigenous cultural practices and remind visitors of their responsibility to look after country and community.
With proximity to the Parliament, the memorial is also a reminder for lawmakers and community members of our shared responsibility to end family violence and all forms of violence against women.
“ We wanted a space which would honour the women and children lost to family violence and for those who have survived family violence. Further we wanted the memorial to be a moving memorial in the sense that family violence occurs continuously and therefore to honour those who are enduring it at any given time.” - Liana Papoutsis, MC at Family Violence Memorial inauguration ceremony, inaugural member of the Victim's Survivors Advisory Council (VSAC), and Monash GFVPC Centre member |
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Tribute to victims and survivors:
We wish to honour all those we have lost to family violence and those who have survived and are rebuilding their futures.
The memorial is a reminder that victim survivors are more than just statistics. Victim survivors have hope and a lived experience which galvanises them to create a world free from violence. The memorial is a space to honour the lives of victims and victim survivors and reflect on the profound cost of family violence to victim survivors, their loved ones and their communities, as well as a place to collectively hope for a future free from violence for every Victorian.
To contact Liana Papoutsis, please email: Liana.Papoutsis@monash.edu