THERE WAS a rivalry on the football field at Learmonth on the weekend but, as the final siren sounded, there was one thing that mattered more.
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It didn’t come in the form of winning points or celebratory drinks, but a stand of unity to end violence against women.
At Saturday’s game between Clunes and Learmonth football and netball clubs, the memory of Sharon Siermans was more important than any winning goal as the two communities came together for the second annual White Ribbon Shield.
Sharon was killed by a man she met on an online dating site in 2013.
Her mother, Denise Siermans, said the day was about raising awareness and encouraging people to take a stand to counter violence against women.
“The number of women who have died from violent men has gone up to 36 this year. It’s terrible,” Mrs Siermans said.
“Men need to respect women. They need to realise young women are precious and you don’t hit them.
“What happened to Sharon shouldn’t have happened.”
She said it was at a grassroots level that change in attitudes began, with many spectators at Saturday’s game joining Ballarat White Ribbon Day chairman Bob Maika at half-time to discuss what individuals could do in their relationships, workplaces and social settings to stand up to violence against women.
“If it helps one person to understand, that’s great,” she said.
“I’ve had people tell me they have gone off online dating because of Sharon’s story.
“But people still don’t understand how dangerous it is ... you don’t really know who you’re talking to.”
Mr and Mrs Siermans encouraged more local clubs to take a stand against violence.
alicia.thomas@fairfaxmedia.com.au
