The Lithgow Cares Coalition was launched on Thursday afternoon during Families Week at Lithgow Library.

The coalition is a combination of two key local groups, Lithgow Partners against Domestic Violence and Family Abuse Interagency and the Lithgow Child Protection Interagency.

Lithgow Cares was inspired by a woman who remarked when she relocated to Lithgow that the community seemed to “care”.

The group encompasses a range of services and organisations who are dedicated to supporting the local community around domestic violence and child protection.

Lithgow Cares aims to provide service support, community education, professional development and best practice in relation to these important issues.

The coalition will also bring attention to the availability of services and supports for those experiencing domestic and family violence in Lithgow.

The Lithgow Cares campaign has created four distinct focus areas that are aligned with the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

These four focus areas are:

A design competition was held to develop an image aligned with each of these concepts.

The successful designs drawn by children were transformed into fridge magnets, bumper stickers and window decals.

Support services are able to display window decals to indicate they are able to help those experiencing domestic violence.

A referral card for people experiencing domestic violence which has been distributed to local GPs and services.

For the past five years a trivia night has been organised at the Workies Club and the event is getting bigger every year. Last year tickets sold out. 

Annually the committee organises an event for White Ribbon Day on 25th November.

The first Walk for White Ribbon down Main Street, led by local Police was held last year. This walk created a lot of awareness and was shared over 8000 times on social media.

Historically the Child Protection Interagency has created opportunities for professional development as well as organising the annual Bowenfels and Portland Community Fundays.

The committee is also responsible for organising the annual children’s expo and information stalls at various events.

All these events are proudly supported by Lithgow City Council and we would like to thank them for their ongoing support of Lithgow Cares.

Services currently represented on the committee include Lithgow Community Projects, Lithgow Women and Children’s Crisis Centre, Lithgow Information & Neighbourhood Centre, Ability Links, Lithgow City Council, Community Health, Benevolent Society, Family Referral Service, Integrated Violence Prevention and Response service, Correctional Services, Dianella Cottage, Thrive Services, Community Legal Centre, FACS, Local Police and the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

For more information visit www.lithgowcares.org.au