THE only thing needed for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.
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That was the message from HMAS Albatross and indeed the navy at large on Friday morning.
A morning tea was held at the base in support of White Ribbon, an organisation that works to prevent violence against women by men.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett recently put the call out to all navy units encouraging them to get behind the cause.
“Navy’s values and signature behaviours align closely with the White Ribbon message,” he said.
At HMAS Albatross on Friday, base executive officer Commander Gary Holgate said the morning was designed to allow people to “have a conversation about what White Ribbon means to us”.
He said locally in the last 12 months 315 women had experienced some kind of domestic violence.
“It is still ongoing,” Commander Holgate said.
“We as navy need to ensure we do something about domestic violence against women.”
HMAS Albatross commanding officer Captain Simon Bateman said it was important for the navy to back the message of White Ribbon.
“The one thing that has stuck with me is the saying, ‘The only thing needed for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing’,” he said.
“We need to demonstrate that is not the case with us.”
Leading seaman maritime logistics personnel Jaylene Byrne was among those who took up the call to host a White Ribbon event.
On Friday evening she held a barbecue and trivia night at her home for White Ribbon.
“I think supporting this cause is always a good thing,” she said.
“Especially in defence where we are always trying to recruit more females, so to show we support an event like this is empowering and helps women move forward.”