Show of blue hands on White Ribbon Day

As part of White Ribbon Day, Macedon Ranges Health’s Kathryn Hill and Steve Power pledged their prints Picture: Shawn Smits

Sunbury and Macedon Ranges residents have put their hands up and promised to speak out to prevent violence against women.

People turned out in large numbers to support a series of events marking last Wednesday’s White Ribbon Day.

About 30 people put their handprint on a large canvas outside Macedon Ranges Health at Gisborne in a brightly coloured show of support for the global campaign.

Cobaw Community Health staff hit the streets of Kyneton, distributing posters and urging people to take an oath to ‘‘stand up, speak out and act’’, while Macedon Ranges councillors and staff were among those who signed an anti-violence pledge.

A White Ribbon breakfast at Kyneton featured speakers including No to Violence chief executive Jacqui Watt and Macedon Ranges Family Law’s Megan Puszkar. A charity fundraiser included a performance by comedian Jean Kittson at Sunbury Bowling Club. Family Violence Prevention Minister Fiona Richardson, police and health workers, will meet Kyneton Secondary College students this Friday.