25 November 2014
Spirit of Tasmania and the Maritime Union of Australia hosted its second charity luncheon on Tuesday 18 November in honour of White Ribbon Day (25 November) raising nearly $60,000 for White Ribbon Australia.
“Our staff and crew have, for a long time, been supporters and ambassadors of this very important cause,” said Mr Bernard Dwyer, Spirit of Tasmania Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Dwyer said the charity luncheon hosted by Spirit of Tasmania provided a forum to raise awareness and listen to those people who could further educate the community about what we can all do to prevent violence against women.
“We’ve also put together a video featuring men from different walks of life – including ex-homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, The Age crime journalist John Silvester, musician Jesse Hooper, Channel 7 presenter Andrew O’Keefe, North Melbourne Football Club Coach Brad Scott, Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and many others – in which we asked them what they do to prevent violence against women,” he said.
“We were also delighted to partner with the Maritime Union of Australia in hosting the charity lunch, along with a number of other transport and maritime companies who generously donated to this cause.
“It says something about the way we can work together and unite behind a worthwhile initiative.”
“Every year, we’ve been flying the White Ribbon flag on our ships with pride,” White Ribbon Ambassador and Spirit of Tasmania II Hotel Manager Gerry Gaffney said.
“When it comes to getting behind something as important and serious as breaking the silence around violence against women, we support this all the way.”
Maritime and Transport companies who have donated to the White Ribbon luncheon on 18 November include Spirit of Tasmania, Maritime Union of Australia, ASP Ship Management, Australian Amalgamated Terminals, CSL, Asciano, DP World, Teekay, Linfox, Svitzer, METL, TOLL, PB Towage, Transport and Logistics and Australian Unions.
Background about White Ribbon Australia:
White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led Campaign to end men’s violence against women.
Vision - All women live in safety free from all forms of men's violence.
Mission - Making women's safety a man's issue too.
- Over 12 months, on average, 1 woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence.
- Violence against women is estimated to cost $14.4 billion to the Australian economy per annum.
- 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them.
The campaign works through primary prevention initiatives involving awareness raising and education, and programs with youth, schools, workplaces and across the broader community.
Globally, White Ribbon is the world’s largest male-led movement to end men’s violence against women. Originating in Canada in 1991, White Ribbon is now active in more than 60 countries.
White Ribbon Australia observes the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, annually on November 25. White Ribbon Day signals the start of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women, which ends on Human Rights Day (December 10).
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Contact: Soniya Fernandez
Communications Manager
saf@spiritoftasmania.com.au
