Expect Respect - Zonta Club of Mt Barker and Eastern Fleurieu School, Strathalbyn

This project aims to reduce the incidence of Domestic Violence in the long term through an Engagement, Educational and Learning Program, which Embeds the learning through Art Work that is displayed at a Community Celebration in November/December each year.

 Each year the Zonta Club of Mt Barker Inc is engaged with The Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School at Strathalbyn where 100 Year 6 students (in groups of 25) have the opportunity to be involved in workshops on ways to show respect for everyone they meet in their everyday lives with a focus on Communication and Relationships. These workshops were originally delivered by a Community Police Woman and Community Mental Health Counsellor but Covid stopped this assistance.
Luckily Heidi and Paul, staff members at the school have kept the program going. They apply the learning through Art Work and other workshops that promotes anti Domestic Violence concepts. These outcomes are celebrated with the school and wider community in November/December with the launch of the calendar which is produced from the art work of the students. Guest speakers eg. Alex from White Ribbon Australia attend the event.

This is the largest number of students from any one school who have been exposed to the program so far in Australia. It is also the only Expect Respect Program that has continued since 2014.

The Zonta Club of Mt Barker and the Eastern Fleurieu School were presented with the SCASA Premier - Harry Tillyer Award at the end of 2023 with a cheque for $1000.