Blacktown City has been decorated with a colourful knitted art installation as part of the annual campaign to raise awareness of domestic and family violence.
Blacktown City Council officially launched its 'Knit Bomb' project last week to highlight the scourge of domestic and family violence during the United Nations Women's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
This year marks the fourth year of the project, with hundreds of knitted squares adorning key landmarks in Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Riverstone over the coming weeks.
Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, said the project was part of Council's long-standing commitment in condemning domestic and family violence in Blacktown City.
"Blacktown City Council has been a supporter of this campaign for four years, with the aim of making a public statement against domestic and family violence," Mayor Bleasdale said.
"Sadly, in Blacktown City, women and children continue to suffer at the hands of family members or current or former partners.
"We know starting a conversation around this serious issue is an important first step in putting an end to this violence and the Knit Bomb project is intended to raise awareness of this scourge on our community."
The campaign is spearheaded by Council's Women's Advisory Committee, with the Blacktown Library Knitting Group and more than 50 community knitters dedicating hours of their time creating the knitted pieces throughout the year.
This year, Council was delighted to feature an incredible wooden cubby house, created by inmates at Parklea Correctional Centre and decorated with knitted pieces.
The piece symbolises a safe house and follows their stunning contribution last year of a teapot and tea cups and saucers.
Vibrant knitted pieces have been installed on trees, poles, benches and railing posts around the city centres in Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Riverstone, with Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Riverstone Police Stations also being 'knit bombed'.
The knitted pieces will later be washed and sewn into blankets to be donated to hospitals, nursing homes and charities.
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Blacktown City Women's Advisory Committee Julie Griffiths said the Knit Bomb continued to grow in size and awareness each year.
"I am overwhelmed by the hard work and talent that goes into creating the pieces for our Knit Bomb display each year," Cr Griffiths said.
"As part of this year's Knit Bomb, we were delighted to also partner with Dillwynia Correctional Centre, a prison for women in Berkshire Park.
"Inmates at Dillwynia created 6 artworks for us to display as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. They will be exhibited in Max Webber Library and Council's Administration Centre, both in Blacktown city centre.
"I thank everyone who made our 2022 Knit Bomb possible and helped us deliver a vital message against domestic and family violence."
Picture: Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM with Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Blacktown City Women's Advisory Committee Julie Griffiths with the wooden cubby house made by Parklea Correctional Centre inmates.
