31 October, 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council and the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group today launched the roll out of its fleet’s new anti-bullying and domestic violence designs.

In late 2018, Council received a grant under the NSW Community Safety Fund for funding towards the delivery of two projects to raise awareness about bullying and domestic violence in the community.

The latest project is the design and installation of a series of vinyl “skins” with key “no violence” and “no bullying” messages that have been installed on four of Council’s waste and water truck fleet.

“This is a proactive and highly visible campaign that aims to highlight that, as a community, we will not tolerate verbal or physical violence of any kind,” Crime Prevention Working Group Chair Cr Colleen Fuller said.

“We hope the community will support it. This project speaks volumes about what we value as a community and is an initiative that has already generated excitement and strong praise from support services.

“The designs have been developed in consultation with key stakeholder groups including the Gunnedah Community Action Team, and young people, and are consistent with two strong hashtags that operate in our community - #gunnedahsaysnotoviolence and #gunnedahsaysnotobullying.

Purple is a domestic violence colour and blue connects to both mental health and bullying awareness initiatives operating around the country.”

Councils’ Community and Social Planner, Debra Hilton said “Speak Up” and “Speak Out” were recognised calls to action.

“To maximise the reach of the messaging, each truck will carry one domestic violence skin and one bullying skin, positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle,” Ms Hilton said.

“We hope that as the trucks travel around our Shire and on the roads and highways, they will receive favourable attention by locals and visitors, and add to the reputation that the Shire has of being welcoming, inclusive and safe.”

The first project to be funded through the Community Safety Fund was the design and installation of street banners in the CBD.

For more information on the project please contact Council’s Community and Social Planner, Debra Hilton on 02 6740 2100.

Photo caption: The mobile message on Gunnedah Shire Council’s waste and water fleet.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.