July 2. Day 183. Sticks and stones

Vanessa Fowler with two of the students in her Year 1 class

 Whoever said "sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you" was an absolute idiot. Words can cut you to the core. As the Bee Gees sang "it's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away". Words can win your heart. Words can also break your heart. This is why we are being called upon to use our words kindy and with care. Today was the launch of the 2018 Strive to be Kind campaign. Vanessa Fowler, sister of Allison Baden-Clay took to the stage in the Queen Street Mall to remind residents of the power of words to show care, empathy, compassion and concern. Vanessa reminded the gathered audience that her sister would have turned 50 yesterday; her sister who was murdered by her husband after he had isolated, controlled and belittled her. The verbal assault became physical and with tragic consequences. But what Vanessa and the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation want us to remember and share was Allison's kindness. This month we are being encouraged to bake and share kindness cookies. We are being encouraged to commit random acts of kindness to strangers but most of all we are being encouraged to use our words for good not evil. But most of all we are being encouraged to speak up if we see something that doesn't feel right. We all have a voice. Use your words well.

Poet Leah Walsh at the lauch

MC Sharyn Ghidella

The launch was opened with a performance by the Redland Rhapsody Choir