She's Someone: A Peaceful Gathering to Honour Tracey

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Posted 2013-08-05 by Michellina van Loder ⇒ follow

Thu 08 Aug 2013

Next Week, Thursday, 8 August 2013, there will be a peaceful gathering along with a candlelight vigil and a free BBQ to honour the life of Tracey Connelly, who, tragically, had her life taken from her while working along Greeves Street, St Kilda.

For the people who knew Tracey, she will be sadly missed; however, there are also many others who have been touched by her passing: the residents of St Kilda, the wider community and people the world over. All women, no matter their occupation, deserve to be safe while out on the street. Come, take a stand against violence, and join others who say 'no' to crimes against women.

The service, which will be attended by speakers including Port Phillip mayor Amanda Stevens , White Ribbon ambassador Phil Cleary and opposition crime prevention spokeswoman Jill Hennessy, has been organised by the Sally Tonkin, CEO of the St Kilda Gatehouse, a non-profit organisation that helps marginalised women who work as street sex-workers.

The staff at St Kilda Gatehouse value the Christian principles of inclusiveness, unconditional support, service, and social justice. Their aim is to offer a place of support where individuals can feel valued within our society—somewhere they can find the care and guidance needed to begin to build a life off the streets and away from the turmoil often afflicting those coming from a life of poverty, abuse and addiction.

Sally Tonkin eloquently expressed the opinion that violence towards anyone, especially women, has no place in our community—and it's one that many, many people are aligned with. If you feel the same, come along to the service in Greeves Street.

**Free BBQ, and a Candlelight Vigil
**
There will be a free BBQ from 6 pm; then there will be a candlelight vigil from 6.30 pm – 8 pm.

The St Kilda choir, the Solstice Singers, and musicians Richard Beer and Fuhrmeister will be performing.

Tracey Connelly will be sadly missed by all whose lives she touched. Please come and light a candle in her honour.

Donations
St Kilda Gatehouse except donations of clothing, toiletries or anything that could be useful to starting a new life or assisting the women who visit the Gatehouse. Click here if you would like to contribute items to give to the women who visit the Gatehouse.

Click here if you would like to make a financial donation to help women who are in the position Tracey was in.

Or click here if you would like to buy the book: Red Light Dark Room: Sex, Lives & Stereotypes, a photo-journal that tells the stories of the street sex workers of St Kilda. Proceeds from the sale of this book go to the St Kilda Gatehouse helping to assist them with the work that they do.