The iconic Kings Beach Fountain will shine bright orange to mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – a global call to end violence against women and girls.

From 25 November to 10 December the fountain and other Sunshine Coast Council landmarks, such as Maroochydore’s City Hall and the Landsborough Museum, will be lit up in orange in support of the ‘Orange the World’ initiative – raising awareness of gender–based violence.

Sunshine Coast Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said a number of community groups would be hosting events during the 16 days, including a community event at Buhk Family Park in Alexandra Headland and another which will unveil a new Red Bench seat in Maleny.

The Red Bench project is an initiative of the Red Rose Foundation to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and to build a permanent reminder that domestic and family violence occurs within all communities.

Unitywater has also taken a pledge of commitment to act against domestic and family violence in support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Experience, Katherine Gee said Unitywater was always looking for ways to enhance the processes that are already in place to support customers experiencing domestic and family violence.

“Unitywater has also supported women’s refuges and behavioural change programs across their service region through community grants,” she said.

Between 1 July and 31 October 2024 Queensland Courts received 8,974 Domestic Violence Order (DVO) applications, 958 of which were lodged in Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast Magistrates Courts, of these, 79.1 per cent were submitted by women.