Purple bench project gains momentum in the Murraylands

This story is free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.

Purple benches are becoming an increasingly common sight across the Murraylands.

The purple bench project is an initiative out of Canada that aims to raise awareness and support for victims and survivors of domestic and family violence.

Benches are painted purple, the signature colour of the initiative, and placed in public locations to memorialise victims of domestic and family violence and to provide contact details for help services for survivors.

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Murray Bridge is the latest organisation to have joined the initiative by installing a purple bench by its garden out the front.

Church member Ann-Marie Garrett said it had been been placed in a quiet and private spot that she hoped would provide a place for people to sit, contemplate, and get help.

“It’s always a big thing to make that first phone call,” she said.

The parish is now the second in Murray Bridge to take part in the initiative, with St John’s Anglican Cathedral having installed a bench in August.

Mrs Garrett said the Anglican parish had kindly donated the leftover paint used for their bench.

Parish pastoral council chairperson Phil Nutt thanked Mrs Garrett for her efforts to get the bench installed.

“It’s all been thanks to Ann-Marie, the generosity of other churches and people’s goodwill,” he said.

Rob Hancock and Craig Garrett helped repair and paint the bench.

Mrs Garret also thanked Helen Mattick and the Haven, who paid for the plaque that sits on the bench.

The Haven, managed by the Women's Information Service, provides a safe place for women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence to access information and referral services.

Some purple paint still remains; Mrs Garret said it would be sent to St Luke's Anglican Church at Tailem Bend for them to install a bench of their own.

With each bench installed, the important message of community solidarity and remembrance is spread.

• Get help: Visit the Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre between 9am and 4pm on weekdays, or the DVINA Centre at 1 Standen Street, Murray Bridge; call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 737 732, or Murray Mallee Adelaide Hills Domestic Violence Service on 8228 8960; or, in an emergency, dial 000.