The Northern Rivers community is invited to come together for a vigil at the Lismore Quad on Thursday, 21 May 2026, to honour the women and children who have tragically lost their lives to domestic and family violence, and to stand in solidarity with survivors, families, and frontline workers.
Hosted by Women’s Health Northern Rivers (WHNR), the vigil will provide a safe space for reflection, remembrance, and collective healing.
The event will include the following speakers: Naomi Moran – NSW Treaty Commissioner and Advocate for Empowering Community Voice, Mandy Nolan, and Emma Siegel – WHNR Acting CEO.
There will also be representatives from Women Up North Housing, WDVCAS and ACON, and an impactful art installation, ‘Counting Dead Women’, presented by Paulette Hayes.
Organisers say there will be opportunities for community members to connect with local support services on the night.
Awareness and resolve
Domestic and family violence continues to impact individuals and families across the Northern Rivers, with women and children disproportionately affected. The vigil aims to raise awareness, strengthen community resolve, and highlight the ongoing need for prevention, early intervention, and accessible support.
Attendees are encouraged to join in solidarity, honour those who have been lost, and reaffirm the community’s commitment to creating a safer future for all. The organisers recognise that domestic and family violence is a whole‑of‑community issue, and warmly invite men and boys to attend the vigil and stand with women in genuine allyship.
The vigil will be happening on Thursday, 21 May 2026, from 6pm to 7pm, at The Quad in Lismore.
Attendees are asked to bring a candle and a flower.
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