Stars fight violence

Casey Cardinia Libraries have joined in the celebration of the 2018 Commonwealth Games being held in Australia by inviting people to help them fold paper stars.
The stars form part of a wider One Million Stars initiative, with each star representing a peaceful statement against all forms of violence in our communities.
The project invited members of the community to come together peacefully and engage in conversations about the effects of violence and ways to end violent behavior.
Hampton Park Library set an ambitious target of folding 10,000 of the multi-coloured stars with help from other library branches and local schools.
“We have just over 9000 stars here,” Hampton Park Library Officer Tracy Howard said.
“We extend our thanks to staff participating at our other branch libraries in Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Pakenham, Narre Warren and the mobile library.”
“Thanks also to Hallam Senior Secondary College students and teachers who made another 3000, while Berwick Lodge Primary contributed 90.”
Casey Cardinia Libraries CEO Chris Buckingham said the project was a great way for the libraries to demonstrate their commitment to supporitng the end of violence in the community.
“In a region where family violence is far too high, we have a responsibility to make sure that people who are at risk feel safe in our libraries and can access support services,” he said.
“Every one of us knows someone who has been adversely affected by family violence and how we choose to respond to family violence will have a direct impact in our community.”
“Libraries have a vital role to play in providing safe places where people can gather, share knowledge and have conversations.”
The stars will be shipped off to the Gold Coast to form part of the art installation displayed during the Commonwealth Games next year.
“This has been a great project allowing the community to work with us; those 10,000 stars seemed like a huge amount when we first started,” Mr Buckingham said.