Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home News Australia

Catholic Education staff make every step count in fight against domestic violence

byStaff writers
12 May 2016 - Updated on 1 April 2021
Reading Time: 2 mins read
AA
Darkness into Light walk

Marathon effort: BCE executive director Pam Betts congratulates Mark Roberton on his marathon effort to raise money and awareness of domestic violence.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Darkness into Light walk
Marathon effort: BCE executive director Pam Betts congratulates Mark Roberton on his marathon effort to raise money and awareness of domestic violence.

STAFF from Brisbane Catholic Education schools and offices were among hundreds who ran, jogged or walked from darkness into daylight to speak out against domestic violence.

The Darkness to Daylight Challenge on May 4-5 was a unique experience that began in darkness with a few brave participants taking on a 110km run while others ran a 10km “together” challenge and more walked a 3km route as dawn broke over Brisbane City.

Brisbane Catholic Education executive director Pam Betts said it was a fantastic effort by all the participants.

Ms Betts, who joined the early-morning walkers, said every year in Australia about 110 women, children and men died because of domestic and family violence.

“This 110km symbolic run is 1km for every life lost but also the ones left behind,” Ms Betts said.

She said the lead runner held a candle symbolising the hope that people living with domestic violence felt when finding the courage to speak up and get the support that seemed so out of reach.

She thanked all the BCE participants and those who had been so generous in supporting this “very worthy cause”. 

Ms Betts especially thanked St Teresa’s College, Noosaville, business manager Mark Roberton who took on the 110km night challenge – alone.

Mr Roberton started his run at 6.30pm the previous day following a candle light vigil and address from domestic violence advocate and former Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty.

Mr Roberton, who has completed marathons and endurance events, said when notice of the event arrived in his “in box”, his initial motivation was purely selfish – the opportunity to run the elusive 100km, a goal of most fellow ultra-runners.

Related Stories

Gunmen kidnap two Catholic priests in Nigeria

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

Myanmar military burns houses, destroys a village

But his attitude soon changed.

“I have led a very fortunate life in that I havenever been touched by domestic violence,” Mr Roberton said.

“However, like so many of us, I despair every week when we hear of another tragedy involving the death of a human being at the hands of a former loved one.

“My personal goals have now moved completely from a purely personal challenge to really wanting to make a positive difference to the insidious action that is domestic violence.”

 

ShareTweet
Previous Post

Workplace chaplain on domestic violence: It’s time to address this horrifying, violent epidemic

Next Post

Why your children shouldn’t come before your spouse

Staff writers

Related Posts

Gunmen kidnap two Catholic priests in Nigeria
World

Gunmen kidnap two Catholic priests in Nigeria

27 May 2022
Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia
Australia

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

26 May 2022
Myanmar military burns houses, destroys a village
News

Myanmar military burns houses, destroys a village

24 May 2022
Next Post

Why your children shouldn't come before your spouse

Dentist Andrew Teakle

A dentist's insight into domestic violence

Dr Katrina Neal

‘Abortion Rethink’ campaign launches in response to proposed bill

Popular News

  • Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

    Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Christian Brothers’ community mourn the passing of Brother Tony White

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • All Catholics invited to pray rosary for peace with Pope Francis next Tuesday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abdallah family launch forgiveness campaign one year on from crash that killed four children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Vatican

All Catholics invited to pray rosary for peace with Pope Francis next Tuesday

by Staff writers
27 May 2022
0

By Catholic News Agency THE Vatican is inviting Catholics to join Pope Francis in praying the rosary...

Gunmen kidnap two Catholic priests in Nigeria

Gunmen kidnap two Catholic priests in Nigeria

27 May 2022
Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

Ethiopian cardinal brings sense of gratitude to Australia

26 May 2022
Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

Blessed Sacrament desecrated in robbery of sacred vessels at Canberra church

26 May 2022
Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

Pope Francis – ‘My heart is broken’ over Texas elementary school shooting

26 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping