2022 Unveiling of Red Bench Ceremony

The first red bench for The University of Queensland and St Lucia area was unveiled at The Women’s College as part of the Red Bench Project to raise awareness of domestic violence.

In partnership with the Brisbane Women’s Club and Red Rose Foundation, The Women’s College collaborated to support the Red Bench Project, providing a visual reminder that domestic violence is a prevalent issue in all communities. The initiative is part of the Red Rose Foundation’s commitment to end domestic and family violence related deaths in Australia.

The Lady Mayoress of Brisbane, Nina Schrinner, Councillor James Mackay and Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP Elect for the Federal seat of Ryan, were among the special guests at the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday 25 May 2022.

Head of College & CEO, Florence Kearney, said that The Women’s College was proud to have the first red bench installed on the UQ campus and hoped the bright red colour would generate much discussion amongst the student community.

“The College has joined forces with our partners to send a strong message to our community that we want to end the silence around domestic violence,” she said.

“The red bench is in a perfect location on our College campus, outside a residential college which has inspired young women for almost 110 years, and empowering them to lead lives of meaning and purpose.”

Thank you to the Brisbane Women’s Club for financially supporting the installation of the red bench and whose founder in 1908, Margaret Ogg, was a woman with a passion to improve the lives of Queensland women.