THE importance of the 'loud fences' should never be lost on Ballarat, according to abuse survivor Paul Levey.
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Mr Levey, from Sunbury, joined a group of volunteers on Saturday placing more than 5000 new ribbons on the St Alipius fence, reminding motorists along Victoria Street just how important the ribbons are around the city.
"I'm always here to offer support to other survivors who I've met over the years," Mr Levey said.
"In Sunbury we've got a college there and they take our ribbons down every time we put them up, they don't last 24 hours. But people when they come into Ballarat, you see the ribbons throughout the city and it makes you feel like you've got the support of the town.
"The kids that went here were always hiding, but these ribbons are for them. We don't want these to look tired, we always catch up afterwards for a meal or a drink as well."
Loud Fence founder Maureen Hatcher said having gone to school just a block away from St Alipius, she had no idea what had happened at the school.
"It really came about because of the royal commission and hearing what happened in Ballarat and feeling pretty helpless about what I could do.
"I came up with the term Loud Fence just for this particular fence, but now you see loud fences popping up all over town and it's really encouraging to know that it has taken off. It's way beyond a couple of people tying ribbons.
"I went to school just up the block and we had a lovely time at our school down there.
"We had no idea what was happening so when the royal commission came out we were just shocked and to hear what was happening just a block away still gives me goosebumps to be honest."
Ms Hatcher said the importance of the ribbons cannot be underestimated.
"I know people who for years and years simply could not drive down Victoria Street, they'd always detour if they were going to Melbourne or somewhere," she said.
"The ribbons give a different taint to what happened, they're colourful, they make victims feel as though they are supported.
"I think the community are determined to keep it going and I know there will be more and more people coming forward to speak out.
"Some people say it should be one day a year or something, if you think that, you're not seeing the full picture.
"I know some mothers who tie ribbons because their son has committed suicide. They might go to a loud fence every couple of weeks and just tie a ribbon, it gives them a public recognition of their son, much more so than a grave site."
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