Cheese to change behaviours

CHEESE platters and complimentary glasses of champagne will be shared amongst friends to raise vital funds for domestic violence awareness.

GAME ON: The Maroochydore Lady Roos at last year's White Ribbon event. Picture: Jillo's Sporting Pics

CHEESE platters and complimentary glasses of champagne will be shared among friends to raise vital funds for domestic violence awareness.

The ladies of the Maroochydore Roos AFC are hosting a Cheese for Change event in support of White Ribbon.

Operations manager Lisa Daldy said the aim of the lunch is to provide role models for their male players around respectful relationships with women.

"We believe that sporting clubs, particularly when they're very male dominated, have a great opportunity to educate and raise awareness amongst our young and older men,” she said.

Ms Daldy believes the event is also important to show women "they're not alone and it's OK to speak up”.

"Knowing the numbers of the statistics around domestic violence, you could guess there would be females within our group that are at risk or in a unhealthy relationship.”

Lady Roos player Belinda Thompson said violence against women is "more common than people realise”, so opportunities to bring women together are extremely important.

White Ribbon has the full support of both the men and women players to put an end to domestic violence, Ms Thompson said.

"This all begins with changing attitudes, through having conversations and raising awareness.

"Events like Cheese for Change help us to do this, and we want to take the opportunity to welcome all women from the community to our club.”

The Cheese for Change lunch will be on March 30 from 1-2.30pm at the Maroochydore Multisports Complex.

Head to www.facebook.com/events/420279701849898 for tickets and more information.