Penrith Panthers take on domestic abuse in tribute to player’s murdered aunt

DOMESTIC violence cut too close to the Penrith Panthers when halfback Luke Walsh’s aunt was murdered by her partner. Now Lana Walsh is the face of a new campaign against DV.

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A DOCUMENTARY that tells the story of Lana Walsh — the aunt of former Panthers halfback Luke Walsh, who was brutally stabbed to death by her partner in 1994 — was launched at the new Panthers Rugby League Academy on Tuesday.

“I’m very proud to be a Panther,” Lana’s sister, Paula Walsh of Lightning Ridge, told Penrith Press.

She said she’d always felt at home at the Penrith NRL club and saw the players as role models. That is why she encouraged her nephew, Luke, to play for them and why she wanted Lana’s Warriors launched there.

Luke Walsh as a Penrith Panther in a clash against the Gold Coast Titans at then CUA Stadium.

Pru Goward with Tackling Violence mentor, former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue at Tuesday’s launch.

The documentary will be watched by players in 21 NRL clubs, including Penrith, as part of the statewide Tackling Violence program which aims to change attitudes towards domestic and family violence.

“For the family, this is a part of their healing,” family cousin Sean Gordon said.

“I’ve watched Paula over many years using rugby league as a way (to) bring her family together and to continue to celebrate the life of her sister.”

Speaking at the launch, Panthers executive general manager Phil Gould said: “This is not a great occasion ... because in a perfect world, (a meeting like) this wouldn’t be necessary.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward (second from right) with members of the Walsh family. Picture: Peter Kelly

Penrith has the second-highest number of recorded domestic assault incidents in the state, with Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures showing 1027 incidents from October 2014 to September 2015.

“I don’t think you could contemplate just how many lives that we see affected by domestic violence,” Mr Gould said. “It leaves a lasting impression on them and sometimes to their very severe detriment in the way they handle and explain life to themselves and deal with the problems they have.”

Tackling Violence started in 2009 with six clubs.

Alan Tongue leads a discussion about domestic violence with players from Easts Campbelltown and the Redfern All Blacks. Picture: Peter Kelly

This year 900 men will participate, including young men from local high schools.

Clubs and players will sign a domestic violence code of conduct, and players will take part in lessons filled with options and choices delivered by league legends including former Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue.

“We talk about domestic violence, but we do it with a footy in our hand,” Mr Tongue said.

Pru Goward, the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said: “We know that a key factor in any approach to ending domestic violence has to involve prevention, and that is about attitude change.”

“It means we have to say, ‘We don’t want you to be captain of our football team ... we don’t want to play next to you, if that’s what you do (at) home’,” Ms Goward added.

In the 12 months to September 2015, 21 women were killed in domestic homicide events in NSW.

“Tackling Violence uses this great game of courage and sportsmanship as the vehicle for a very blunt conversation with men ... about the impacts of domestic violence (and) how unacceptable it is,” Ms Goward said.