OVER 70 people gathered at the Hamilton Golf Club last week for the Rotary Hamilton Community Conversation on Domestic Violence (DV).

Mayor councillor, David Robertson congratulated the club on the initiative and spoke about the women’s housing that is being built in Hamilton, and the messages we need to send to our community to “Say No to Domestic and Family Violence.”

Warrnambool DV Unit Det Sgt, Kimberley Wheeler informed attendants about the many forms of domestic violence including coercive control, stalking and digital harassment.

The key speaker was DV survivor and advocate, Simone O’Brien who related what led to her horrific experience where she was beaten to within an inch of her life, leaving her with lifelong injuries.

Simone now speaks to schools and sporting groups about the “red flags” to be aware of in relationships.

The audience was made up of people from a wide range of community groups including schools, churches, sporting groups and allied services and responded to the offer of ideas to move the conversation forward.

Rotary Hamilton said that these ideas will be collated and reflected on, with another forum planned for July.