A committed group of almost 50 leaders, community workers, public servants and local residents came together on Friday 4 September 2015 for the first of three meetings aimed at addressing the challenge of family and domestic violence in our community.

Convened by State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, the working group shared individual stories, local knowledge and creative ideas as a first step in a significant community process.

The meeting held on Friday 4 September 2015 was the first of three planned meetings that would culminate in a forum with the Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Hon. Shannon Fentiman MP in November.

Mr Ryan said he was overwhelmed by the response to his call for expressions of interest in a Family and Domestic Violence Working Group.

“This is an issue of vital importance to our community, to our state and to our nation and it was heartening to see so many people wanting to make a difference,” Mr Ryan said.

“What we want to do is get local people together to talk about what support services are currently out there in the community and where we can improve.

“Over two hours, the people attending the meeting worked together to brainstorm what services are currently available in the local area and also identified service gaps.”

Mr Ryan said that the working group would reconvene on 9 October 2015, in a meeting to be chaired by former Minister Hon. Karen Struthers, to outline priorities and discuss how to make those priorities a reality.

“This is a critical issue facing many families in our area and I’m determined to be part of the solution,” Mr Ryan said.

“I want to thank everybody who has joined in this process so far and I am looking forward to working together with the community to stop the violence in our local area.”

If you would like to be involved in the Family & Domestic Violence Working Group, please contact the Office of Mark Ryan MP at [email protected] or call 07 5343 4100.