Toowoomba’s Red Shoe Project: Pairs of shoes heartbreaking representation of lives lost to domestic violence

In a heartbreaking display, red shoes will be set up body length apart in the Toowoomba CBD, each one representing the horrifying toll the domestic violence crisis is having on our community.

Giuliana Bonel, Ann-Marie Johnston, and Melissa Taylor at the announcement of the Red Shoe Project.

Every week on average in Australia, one woman dies as a result of domestic or family violence.

It’s a shocking and heartbreaking statistic that’s being highlighted by pairs of red shoes throughout the Toowoomba CBD.

The Red Shoe Project, an international initiative was introduced in Toowoomba this year to pay tribute to the lives lost to domestic and family violence.

Toowoomba Regional Council will be hosting this symbolic display at the Empire Theatre on White Ribbon day, November 25 at 8am.

Councillor Melissa Taylor said this initiative will stand as a tribute and as a call to action within the community.

“Every week we hear of a woman or a family that’s been hurt, or been killed by someone who supposedly loved them,” Ms Taylor said.

“More often than not it is hidden and there’s so many women, children and men who suffer in silence.

“I’ve seen people who hide their bruises or make up excuses about injuries and it’s absolutely heartbreaking to think.

“I have seen the heartache that domestic violence leaves, not just on the person that’s been affected, but on their friends, their family, and the community.”

Shoes donated for the Red Shoe Project.

Corporate Services general manager Ann-Marie Johnston was the one to advocate for bringing this initiative to Toowoomba said it is certainly not just a women’s issue.

“I think it is particularly sad when you see children’s shoes being donated, and we’ve had men’s shoes donated as well,” Ms Johnston said.

As one of the most senior officers in council, Ms Johnston said she had a responsibility to represent these issues.

“I think it’s really important that we’re having this conversation, that we’re talking about it,” Ms Johnston said.

“If this enables one person to reach out, then we were successful, and that’s what I would like to see.”

Ms Taylor said the display was meant to be confronting but inspiring too.

“Red is also a colour of love and for me this initiative is about love and hope,” she said.

“There is hope in the community and when we all come together, we can affect real change.

“We can raise awareness about violence in our community, and give people the strength or the tools to stand up, and say ‘that’s not good enough’ and that’s what I want out of this project.”

Ms Johnston said she was overwhelmed by the support from the local organisations that have reached out to be a part of the event.

“People want to help and want to be aligned with it and that is really positive. We didn’t anticipate it, but we really appreciate it,” Ms Johnston said.

Zonta, The Lighthouse, Momentum Health, Two Moos, and Toowoomba Together are some of the local organisations that have chipped in to help make this initiative possible.

Toowoomba Regional Council is calling for your red shoe donations by November 22.

Your red shoes can be donated to The Empire Ticket Office at 56 Neil St from 9am to 3pm or to council’s Customer Service office in Little St, Toowoomba from 8.30am-5pm.

The shoes will be put up for auction early 2025, with all proceeds going to Toowoomba Together, a local domestic and family violence organisation.