Gather in purple for National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day

Gather in purple for National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day

Published on 23 April 2026

Ku-ring-gai residents are invited to attend a special ceremony on 6 May to honour the lives lost to family and domestic violence.

Council will commemorate National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day with a tree planting and unveiling of a purple park bench at Cameron Park in Turramurra.

Ku-ring-gai Mayor Christine Kay said it is a national shame that one woman every nine days is killed by a current or former partner.

"In Australia, one in four women has experienced physical violence by the age of 15, and one woman is killed by a current or former partner approximately every nine days," Mayor Kay said.

"National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us as a community to stand with survivors and say enough is enough.

"We must keep finding ways to raise community awareness of this issue and continue supporting meaningful action to prevent family violence.

"Our focus is on education, community partnerships, and advocacy to drive long-term change. Through our Prevention of Violence Against Women Action Plan, we continue to raise awareness, advocate for change and support community initiatives to end domestic violence and empower survivors."

Council will plant purple-flowering Tibouchina tree at Cameron Park and unveil a purple park bench.

The international purple bench project began in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2015. The first bench, known as 'Barb's Bench', was installed to mark the 25th anniversary of the murder of Barb Baillie by her husband. Since then, purple benches have appeared in public spaces around the world as a powerful symbol of remembrance and awareness.

Council has also partnered with DV Safe Phone, a registered charity that collects, repairs, and securely wipes old mobile phones, turning them into safe, unmonitored devices for people experiencing domestic violence.

If you have any old mobile phone to donate, please reset your phone and bring it along on the day.

The event is hosted in partnership with Council's Status of Women Advisory Committee. It is free to attend but registrations are recommended.

For more information or to register visit the event webpage.

If you have experienced or witnessed domestic or family violence, help is available.

• 1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732
• NSW Domestic Violence Line - 1800 65 64 63
• Lifeline - 13 11 14
• If you are in immediate danger call 000

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