Council achieves White Ribbon accreditation for a second time

Published on 18 March 2019

Mildura Rural City Council has reinforced its commitment to stop violence against women after achieving reaccreditation as a White Ribbon Workplace.

Council first gained White Ribbon accreditation in March 2016 and has since made great strides, both internally and in the community, to raise awareness about violence against women and how to prevent it.

This includes our annual White Ribbon Walk in November which continues to grow each year, attracting hundreds of people united in their very vocal and visible support to end violence against women.

Internally, one of the most important initiatives as part of being a White Ribbon accredited workplace is educating all staff on what constitutes family violence and the role they can play to prevent it.

Council was also one of the first organisations in Victoria to feature White Ribbon Advocates after two female managers made this commitment last year.

Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence said becoming a White Ribbon accredited workplace wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

“Attaining White Ribbon accreditation takes a massive amount of work and commitment over an 18-month period,” Cr Clemence said.

“It involves meeting 15 criteria under three standards to create a safer and more respectful workplace and demonstrates a whole-of-organisation commitment to stop violence against women.

“Our dedicated White Ribbon Committee must be congratulated. They’ve led this process over the past 18 months and put in an exhaustive amount of work to make us one of just 178 accredited workplaces nationally and one of only six Victorian Councils.”

Council’s White Ribbon Committee chair and White Ribbon Advocate, General Manager Development Mandy Whelan, thanked staff for their ongoing commitment to White Ribbon.

“Becoming a White Ribbon accredited workplace for another three years means we can continue to lead by example in our community, promoting the values, culture and respectful attitudes that are among the keys to preventing violence against women,” Ms Whelan said.

“As one of the largest employers in our region, we’re in a powerful position to make a difference in the broader community. Our dedicated staff have brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, parents and children they go home to each night to whom they can impart these positive values and attitudes.”

Workplace Program Advisor at White Ribbon, Stacey Nelan, congratulated Council on its reaccreditation.

“Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) is contributing to national cultural change in their achievement of retaining their status as a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace and are amazing leaders within their community,” Ms Nelan said.

“In a region of high rates of domestic and family violence, MRCC plays a critical role within the community and is a leader in the work they actively do to support staff experiencing violence. The team at White Ribbon congratulate MRCC on this outstanding achievement.”

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au