A new fundraising dinner aimed at supporting Tasmanian women and children experiencing family violence will the held at Ninja Stadium on Friday May 15.
Dinner for Change is the first event from Justice for Her, a campaign working to rally workplaces and communities across Tasmania behind better responses to family violence.
Organisers say the evening will combine fine dining, live performance and storytelling to spark conversation and drive action as demand for support services keeps growing.
Tarang Chawla, an award-winning speaker and national advocate for ending men’s violence against women, said the event is about turning collective influence into real change.
Chawla co-founded Not One More Niki, a grassroots organisation set up in memory of his younger sister Nikita, who was murdered by her partner in 2015.
He’s since become a prominent voice for reform, working across policy, education and community engagement.
“Too often, family violence is treated as someone else’s issue. Dinner for Change is about bringing people into the room and asking what responsibility looks like in practice,” Chawla said.
“When community, business and advocacy are in the same room, there is a real opportunity to turn our concern into action and solidarity into change.”
Co-host Carolyn Self, a Tasmanian leader and survivor advocate, said the night would empower guests to be part of the solution.
“This is about creating a space where people feel, understand and connect with the reality of family violence,” Self said.
“But it’s also about hope. It’s about showing that change is possible when we stand together and take action, in our workplaces, our communities and our homes.”
The program features live performances from singer-songwriter Dewayne Everettsmith and contemporary harpist Emily Sanzaro, alongside a dance piece by Eternal Performing Arts.
Rochelle de Vries, from Eternal Performing Arts, said dance would help give emotional depth to the evening.
“Our piece explores resilience, strength and the lived realities of women, inviting the audience to feel the story, not just hear it,” de Vries said.
Youth advocate Shakira Robertson, who became carer for her younger brothers after losing her mum to domestic violence, will also address the room.
Wiradjuri artist Brandi Salmon will create a live artwork reflecting themes of women and resilience, which will be auctioned on the night.
DJ Karoline Kent, known as DJ Track & Field, will close the evening with a set celebrating iconic female artists.
“To close a night like this on a high is about celebrating strength and solidarity and reminding people that even in heavy conversations, there is energy, unity and hope,” Kent said.
Tickets are limited and organisers are encouraging early bookings.
The event runs from 6:30pm to 11:00pm at Ninja Stadium with tickets available at justiceforher.org.au.
