The Place of Courage Media Release (August)
Making South Australian history: The Place of Courage finds a permanent home in Tulya Wardli / Bonython Park. A major contemporary public artwork to be established in the Adelaide Park Lands to acknowledge and raise awareness about the impact of domestic and family violence in our society.
MEDIA RELEASE: For immediate release
Making South Australian history: The Place of Courage finds a permanent home in Tulya Wardli / Bonython Park. A major contemporary public artwork to be established in the Adelaide Park Lands to acknowledge and raise awareness about the impact of domestic and family violence in our society.
On 13 July 2021, The City of Adelaide approved Tulya Wardli /Bonython Park as the permanent new home for The Place of Courage. The artwork is imagined to be a place of comfort and healing, promoting the courage to speak up and out, and a powerful symbol of peace and a unified community. It will be purpose designed for the park and set in complementary landscaped surrounds, adjacent to the existing model boat lake.
The Place of Courage is led by Spirit of Woman, a not-for-profit organisation, seeking to change the discourse on domestic and family violence and to create a space that can break the cycle and make a difference. Both the State Government and the City of Adelaide are supporting the development of the artwork with matched funding of up to $100,000 each.
Assistant Minister for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention, Carolyn Power MP, a strong long-term supporter of The Place of Courage, says:
“The Marshall Liberal Government is proud to be supporting the Place of Courage, and Helen Oxenham’s lifelong efforts to create a place of safety, awareness and healing”
“The Place of Courage will be a beacon of hope and strength for those who have been touched by violence, and a constant reminder to our community that we stand strong and united against domestic and family violence.”
The Honourable, The Lord Mayor, of the City of Adelaide, Sandy Verschoor, is proud to host The Place of Courage in the Park Lands. She says: “The artwork recognises the connection between art and healing, and will be a place for people to connect positively and reflect around the issues of family and domestic violence.
The Founder of The Place of Courage is 90-year-old Helen Oxenham OAM who was the driving force behind one of the first women’s shelter in Christie’s Beach in 1977. She says:
“I have suffered by whole life from the scars of domestic violence. I believe that The Place of Courage will be a healing space that gives solace to sufferers. I want to bring peace to my sisters – peace that I have never found. For many the arts can assist in healing wounds that go beyond the physical, these emotional, spiritual, and psychological wounds can the hardest to heal, and this can be a common experience for domestic violence survivors.”
Spirit of Woman look forward to The Place of Courage providing a space for public and symbolic recognition of the victims and survivors of family and domestic violence, a place for private reflection, a gathering space for vigils, and a place for participatory educational programs for school students. The Place of Courage will trigger conversations and be a tool for teaching future generations the lessons from the past so that tragedies of the history cannot repeat again.
Jeanette Stott, Spirit of Woman, Board Director says: “Bonython Park is a gathering space where lots of community events take place. It has parking, access to public transport and is maintained regularly. The Place of Courage will add to the community spirit at Bonython Park”.
The Place of Courage will inform our community that people do care, that they are not alone. It will create a sense of belonging, understanding and will encourage people to value each other. understand and value each other.
To learn more about The Place of Courage and to donate to this project, visit www.spiritofwoman.com.au.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Zita Adut Deng Ngor LLB (Hons), BinST, MPub & IntLaw, MBAE
CEO Women’s Legal Service (SA)
Mobile: +61 438 010 598
Heather Oxenham| BA. MA, MBA
Mobile: + 61 419 926 456