Crafting words for the Continuous Voices Memorial

Survivors and victims of sexual assault from Ballarat and surrounds are being invited to participate in a series of workshops to develop the words that will appear on the Continuous Voices memorial. 

The memorial is anticipated to be a place for continuing stories, healing and hope for survivors and victims of sexual assault, and has been designed by Amass Architects with Ben Juckes, with support from the Continuous Voices Community Reference Group

Participating survivors will work with Ballarat poet Nathan Curnow to develop the words for the memorial, which is now entering an Expressions of Interest period ahead of the release of the tender for construction. 

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor said the words on the memorial developed by the Ballarat survivor community and poet Nathan, would encourage reflection, healing and conversation.

“We know this memorial needs to authentically reflect the complex journey of healing experienced by survivors,” he said. 

“Having a poet, a member of Ballarat’s creative community, collaborate with the Ballarat survivor community will, I hope, lead to a beautiful outcome that encapsulates the light and dark of survivors’ experiences and, together with the memorial design, foster a sense of hope for the future.” 

The Continuous Voices project has been identified by the City of Ballarat as a priority project. To date the City of Ballarat has successfully advocated to secure State Government funding of $500,000. 

The Federal Labor Government has committed $500,000 to the project if re-elected. The City of Ballarat continues to advocate to all sides of Federal politics on behalf of the community for further investment into this project. 

The City of Ballarat has also committed $520,000 to the $1.5 million project. 

If you need assistance with the issue of sexual assault or abuse, please contact: Ballarat CASA on 03 5320 3933 or After Hours/Crisis Care 24 hours free call on 1800 806 292.