Dîner en Rouge fundraiser partners with Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation

This year’s annual Dîner en Rouge fundraiser on Redlands Coast will be held in partnership with the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation.

The eighth annual event, which raises funds to support local domestic and family violence support services, will be held on Saturday 27 May 2023 to coincide with Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said this year’s partnership with the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation would support a new domestic violence awareness and education program in local schools.

“Every year the community comes together to raise much-needed funds to address domestic and family violence in our city, with more than $440,000 raised through Dîner en Rouge events to date,” Cr Williams said.

“This year’s partnership with Small Steps 4 Hannah will help deliver a school-based program across Redlands Coast that will educate high school students about respectful relationships and foster positive behavioural change.

“Hannah Clarke ran a business on Redlands Coast and the tragic death of her and her three children as a result of domestic violence in 2020 touched many in our community.

“By supporting the work of the foundation, which was established by Hannah’s family, we as a community can work together to halt the spread of domestic and family violence into the next generation.”

Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation founders Sue and Lloyd Clarke thanked the Council and Mayor for their support, and for understanding the importance of campaigning against domestic violence and coercive control.

“Sadly, the scourge of domestic violence touches every community, and the Redlands Coast is no exception,” Mrs Clarke said.

“It’s important to have city leaders and community organisations involved in the discussion about recognising and combatting coercive control.

“And the funds raised at Dîner en Rouge will go directly to helping achieve this aim, by allowing the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation to expand our highly successful respectful relationships program to Redlands Coast schools.

“The more we talk about this issue, the more people will learn to recognise the danger signs in their friends, their partners and even themselves, and the more chances they have to take action.”

Cr Williams said Council was also proud to again be working with Zonta clubs, Soroptimist International, Rotary Club of Cleveland, Redland Foundation and local domestic and family violence service advocates on this year’s Dîner en Rouge – Goes Pink event.

This year’s event will return to a dinner format, following two years as a live stage show.

It will be held at Sheldon Event Centre and will include live entertainment, guest speakers, a silent auction and raffles.

This year’s theme will be pink (rather than the traditional red and white) in honour of the partnership with the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation.

Tickets are on sale at redland.qld.gov.au/DinerenRouge