Spring may be a season for new beginnings, but for Speak Up Now, the Maleny-based domestic and family violence (DFV) awareness group, there’s no quiet season. The group, a collaboration of Zonta Blackall Range, Rotary Club of Maleny, and the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, has been quietly racking up an impressive list of achievements across the hinterland this year, and the group are increasing their work to continue raising awareness and to educate the community about domestic and family violence being unacceptable, and with Queensland’s DV Prevention Month arriving in May, the pace is only set to quicken.
Signs at the Lily Ponds
Readers who frequent the recently upgraded public toilets at Lilyponds Park, Mapleton, will now find something important on the walls: domestic and family violence awareness signage. Speak Up Now and the Zonta Club of Blackall Range joined forces to make it happen, Speak Up Now producing the men’s signage and Zonta creating the women’s, after it was noted that the newly completed facilities hadn’t yet been fitted with DV resource information. Two of the three toilet blocks are now signed, with the third temporarily inaccessible.
It’s a small thing, perhaps, but for someone in a difficult or dangerous situation who happens to glance at a wall while washing their hands, that sign and its list of support numbers could be everything.
“Domestic and family violence affects people of all ages and backgrounds,” the two groups said in a joint statement. “By placing accurate, accessible information in everyday community spaces, we hope to reach those who may not know where to turn. A small sign can be a lifeline.”
Queensland’s DV Prevention Month, May 2026
Each May, Queensland dedicates the entire month to raising awareness of domestic and family violence, sending a clear message that DFV in families and homes will not be tolerated. Queensland Government The theme for 2026 is Together Queenslanders can prevent domestic and family violence Queensland Government, a reminder that prevention is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re a neighbour, a colleague, a business owner, or a community volunteer. Iconic Brisbane landmarks will again light up in purple throughout May as a symbol that everyone deserves to live free from the threat or experience of violence, Government of Queensland and statewide, candlelight vigils will be held across Queensland on 7 May to mark the National Day of Remembrance for those who have lost their lives to domestic and family violence. DVConnect On the legislative front, the Queensland Government recently introduced landmark reforms allowing police to issue on-the-spot 12-month Police Protection Directions, giving immediate, long-term protection to victim-survivors and reducing the trauma of judicial processes.
A Full Calendar for DV Prevention Month (May)
Speak Up Now has an action-packed lineup for May, and the community is warmly invited to participate:
- Saturday 3 May, 9:30am: A domestic violence-themed church service at St George’s Anglican Church, Maleny, led by new minister Kim Wright, with a short address from the group.
- Saturday 3 May, 2pm: A DV-related community panel hosted by the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Women’s Forum (SCHWF). Details on the Speak Up Now Facebook page.
- Monday 5 May, 5pm: Maleny Candlelight Ceremony at Tesch Park, followed by a community BBQ and conversation at Maleny Neighbourhood Centre. A moving and inclusive event, all welcome.
- Sunday 11 May: Red Bench Launch at Maleny State High School, in partnership with the school’s Rotary Interact Club.
- Sunday 11 May: Are You Safe at Home? Day at Maleny Library and MNC, with information on local resources and safety planning available throughout the day.
- Wednesday 28 May: LGBTIQ+ DV Awareness Day. Speak Up Now is working to organise something in partnership with the Maleny IDAHOBIT group, recognising that domestic violence affects people across all relationships and identities.
What Else Has Speak Up Now Been Up To?
Beyond the May calendar, the group has been busy on multiple fronts.
A new collaboration with the Mooloolah Valley Men’s Shed has seen members craft wooden Safety Card Holders bearing the message “Help Is Here.” The holders carry cards listing key DFV support services, and are being placed in GP clinics, chemists, schools, police stations, hairdressers, and other local businesses across the hinterland. The shed is making the first 50 holders for Speak Up Now, with 12 already in place, a partnership that demonstrates how men can be part of the solution.
The group also made a formal submission to the federal government on a troubling gap in superannuation law, specifically, the ability of perpetrators to access the superannuation of a deceased DFV victim. It’s the kind of quiet, behind-the-scenes advocacy that rarely makes headlines but can lead to real and lasting change.
Earlier this year, a Speak Up Now representative delivered a 20-minute address at the International Women’s Day event in Palmwoods, bringing the local DFV perspective to a wider regional audience.
And the community’s generosity continues to shine. Maleny residents have donated more than 300 mobile phones to the Safe Phone program over the past few years, with around seven collection points across town. The phones are cleared by IT professionals and distributed to people escaping abuse, giving them a safe, untraceable means of staying in contact with family and support services.
Get Involved
Speak Up Now’s Facebook page, Speak Up Now – Stop Domestic & Family Violence – Maleny & Blackall Range, is the best place to stay across events, updates, and resources. Whether you want to attend an event, donate a phone, or host a Safety Card Holder in your business, there is a role for everyone in this community effort.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
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