Each year, the Year 12 cohort buy a parting gift for the College and this year, when brainstorming ideas, one of the students had seen a Red Bench in a local park. This idea was proposed, and the cohort loved it for two reasons: the College needs more seating for students, and also this Bench raises awareness of an important issue in our society.

Once this idea was proposed, the College researched both the Red Rose Foundation and its Red Bench initiative, and then decided on the gift.

Students initially wanted to raise the money to buy the bench but given the cost came to an agreement – the College would pay for half of the bench, and the students contribute to the other half.

Students were given an option to pay more if they wanted, with the excess funds to be donated to the Red Rose Foundation. Many students contributed considerably more than the required amount to support this worthy cause.

This is the College’s first time supporting the Red Rose Foundation, however the College community is keen to continue its support.

The Red Rose Foundation’s Red Bench Project was launched in 2019 to build a permanent reminder that domestic violence occurs within all of our communities.

The presence of a Red Bench in a public location aims to raise public awareness and provide an opportunity for this important issue to remain visible.

It is Red Rose Foundation’s aim to have at least one Red Bench in every local government area in Queensland, with each carrying a plaque. The first of the Red Benches was unveiled on the 15th of May, 2019 in Cleveland by Redland’s Mayor, Karen Williams.

The Red Bench in Cleveland is the first of many across Queensland. There are now close to 300 Red Benches from local government, State government and community groups.

The Red Rose Foundation is a national not-for-profit charity working to end domestic violence across our communities. The organisation is especially concerned at the high number of domestic violence deaths that occur each year through homicide and suicide.

The Red Rose Foundation also acknowledges that tragically, many domestic violence related deaths have many predictive elements and are largely considered preventable.

The Red Rose Foundation is urging local and State government and other community groups to paint one existing public bench red, arrange and pay for the cost of the metal plaque with the wording: Domestic Violence: Let’s Change The Ending.

The plaque may also include dual logos: The Red Rose Foundation and the logo of the organisation. The Red Rose Foundation can supply plaques to other not-for-profit groups if needed.