Council staff among first White Ribbon Advocates

Published on 20 November 2017

Mildura Rural City Council continues to lead White Ribbon Australia’s movement in our region with two staff being announced as official Advocates in Victoria.

A new role within the White Ribbon program, Advocates are female representatives of White Ribbon who promote gender equality, respectful relationships and the engagement of men to ensure every woman can live safely, free from men’s violence and abuse.

Council’s General Manager Development Mandy Whelan, who also chairs our organisation’s White Ribbon Committee, and fellow committee member, Manager Organisational Development Kate McMillan, were recently accepted as official Advocates. Only 20 women in Victoria were appointed in the first round of this new program.

As Council’s first Advocates, Mandy and Kate use their spheres of influence and professional networks to actively engage men within our organisation and the general community to achieve the social change needed to end men’s violence against women.

Council Chief Executive Officer Gerard José congratulated them on being accepted as among Victoria’s first 20 Advocates.

“The appointment of Mandy and Kate as Advocates is testimony to their leadership and perseverance, and is  another step on our journey as an organisation to very publicly say no to domestic violence against women,” Mr José said.

Council’s two White Ribbon Advocates will work alongside our existing four Ambassadors in standing at the forefront of White Ribbon and the continuing drive to break the culture of domestic violence and violence against women in our region.

The White Ribbon Advocate Program runs for two years and requires Advocates meet key milestone achievements under three streams – Educate, Engage and Act.

“As one of the biggest employers in our region, with more than 50 per cent of staff being women, we can play an important role in generating change in our community, and our new White Ribbon Advocates, along with our Ambassadors, can play a lead role,” Ms Whelan said.

For more information about the White Ribbon program go to www.whiteribbon.org.au