Council
28 May, 2026
A conversation about gendered violence
TERANG and district residents are invited to share in a harrowing discussion with a man who, at the pinnacle of his career, faced the devastating death of his sister to domestic violence.
Corangamite Shire will next week welcome Phil Cleary, who just three months after the exhilaration of his 200th game of footy for Coburg was brought to his lowest by the death of his 25-year-old sister, Vicki, at the hands of a violent ex-boyfriend.
Vicki’s murder and the court case in 1989 which saw her killer found guilty of manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to less than four years in jail was the start of a lifelong mission to end violence against women.
Mr Cleary will speak at the Killara Centre in Camperdown on Friday, June 5 at 2.30pm.
A former teacher, footballer and independent member for the Australian Parliament, Mr Cleary will share his story of life after his sister’s death and the actions he has taken to stand against gendered violence.
“When Vicki was murdered in 1987, communities weren’t talking about gendered violence like they are today,” he said.
“Now, every community across Australia is talking about what respectful relationships look like and why violence against women, which includes the murder of around 80 women a year, is the equivalent of a national crisis.”
Echoing Mr Cleary’s words, Corangamite Shire Council mayor councillor Kate Makin described violence against women and children as a “societal issue that results in one in four Australian women experiencing violence from an intimate partner”.
“This is a reminder of how important it is for the community to change attitudes that give rise to violence,” she said.
“In 2015 the Royal Commission into Family Violence found 80 per cent of cases go unreported.
“Everyone has a responsibility to call out disrespect, sexism and challenge the attitudes responsible for this epidemic of violence.”
The event has been funded by the Victorian Government’s Free from Violence local government program.
The free event will include refreshments.
Places are limited so community members are encouraged to register online at corangamite.vic.gov.au/PhilClearyEvent.
If you are concerned someone you know is at risk of gendered violence or are experiencing it yourself, help is available.
You can access help and support through multiple avenues such as The Orange Door on 1800 271 180 or orangedoor.vic.gov.au, 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 431 or online at www.1800respect.org.au, MensLine on 1300 78 99 78, Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.