Next weekend (14 April), Glebe Park will host the Cheese for Change picnic, with Canberrans encouraged to come out in support of White Ribbon’s work to “prevent men’s violence against women”.

Inspired by White Ribbon’s Cheese for Change campaign, which encouraged people to get together over a cheese platter, radiographer, part-time baker and director of Three Desserts, Sally Bellchambers, has created the picnic as a larger scale fundraising event.

“This was something that I could do … to make a small difference. I’ve got two daughters; I want them to grow up in a better place,” she says.

“It’s not only about donating the money, it’s about trying to taking a stand and say that we as a society think we need to change, and that we’re willing to put in the effort.”

Sally says the organisation is doing good work around “highlighting the unacceptability” of violence against women.

“[They’re] just bringing it to the conversation,” she says, “so that families are having those conversations with their children. It’s not just about telling our girls how to protect themselves, it’s teaching our boys how to respect women properly, and trying to achieve some true equality between the sexes.”

Sally has got the Canberra community on board, with a range of local business participating, including Fox Meets Bear events, Nellie’s Café on Wheels, Lake George Winery, Capital Brewing Co., The Cannoli Brothers, Love Me Tender events, The Lazy Grazer, Mickey Sulic, Tivkahs Bakery, Pialligo Estate Smokehouse, Vanilla and Blossom Cakes, My Sweet Alice, Origin Bake and Balloon Brilliance, plus more to come.

“Absolutely everyone is welcome,” Sally says.

“First and foremost it’s about raising funds … and then secondly [it’s about] starting a conversation, making a statement, and trying to change the world in a small way on a Sunday.”

The Cheese for Change picnic will be held on Sunday 14 April 12-3pm in Glebe Park, with food, drinks and live music available. Tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children, with all proceeds going to White Ribbon [whiteribbon.org.au], and can be purchased via eventbrite.com.au

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