Blacktown City Council is spreading awareness and condemnation of domestic and family violence with it’s fourth annual ‘Knit Bomb’ project, held during the United Nations Women’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The campaign is led by the Blacktown City Council’s Women’s Advisory Committee, the Blacktown Library Knitting Group and more than 50 community knitters. The knitters have dedicated hours of their time creating the knitted pieces throughout the year to adorn key landmarks in Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Riverstone.
Vibrant knitted pieces have been installed on trees, poles, benches and railing posts around the city centres in Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Riverstone, with Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Riverstone Police Stations also being ‘knit bombed’.
The knitted pieces will later be washed and sewn into blankets to be donated to hospitals, nursing homes and charities.
Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale, said the project was part of Council’s long-standing commitment in condemning domestic and family violence in Blacktown City.
“Blacktown City Council has been a supporter of this campaign for four years, with the aim of making a public statement against domestic and family violence,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“Sadly, in Blacktown City, women and children continue to suffer at the hands of family members or current or former partners.
“We know starting a conversation around this serious issue is an important first step in putting an end to this violence, and the Knit Bomb project is intended to raise awareness of this scourge on our community.”
This year, Council also featured a wooden cubby house, created by inmates at Parklea Correctional Centre and decorated with knitted pieces.
The piece symbolises a safe house and follows their contribution in 2021 of a teapot, tea cups and saucers.
Blacktown City Council Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Blacktown City Women’s Advisory Committee, Julie Griffiths, said the Knit Bomb continued to grow in size and awareness each year.
“I am overwhelmed by the hard work and talent that goes into creating the pieces for our Knit Bomb display each year,” Cr Griffiths said.
“As part of this year’s Knit Bomb, we were delighted to also partner with Dillwynia Correctional Centre, a prison for women in Berkshire Park.
“Inmates at Dillwynia created six artworks for us to display as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. They will be exhibited in Max Webber Library and Council’s Administration Centre, both in Blacktown city centre.
“I thank everyone who made our 2022 Knit Bomb possible and helped us deliver a vital message against domestic and family violence.”
Featured image: Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale with Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Blacktown City Women’s Advisory Committee, Julie Griffiths, with the wooden cubby house made by Parklea Correctional Centre inmates. Image: Blacktown City Council
