More than $12000 was raised from sponsorships and personal, generous donations for Karinya House, a refuge for mothers and babies- 70 per cent of which are directly impacted by domestic violence.

We had women from Sydney, Albury, Canberra as well as the local and surrounding district.

There were teams of nurses and hospital staff from Calvary, Yass and the Canberra Hospital, the Karinya house team, Weekend Warriors team, teams of grandmothers, mothers and their daughters, along with groups of teenage girls from Boorowa Central, Hennessey Catholic College and Rosebay Kincopple.

We had ladies from all walks of life and from all professions including business women, stay at home mums, doctors, nurses, school teachers, shop assistants, farmers, medical professionals, secretarys, town planers, business owners, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties and friends ranging from 12 year olds to 86 year olds, all determined to make the distance.

The weather was perfect and we were able to show off magnificent canola crops and stunning country side along the way. On reaching our destination the vista from the monastery was truly spectacular. The day was great with everyone enjoying it and all looking forward to the next walk in September 2016.

Mercy walk for women have a wonderful and committed support team and without them the day would not be as fantastic as it is.

Our support team put together and prepared our morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a wonderful celebration on arrival at St Clements with champagne, cheese and fruit platters. Not to mention bathroom facilities, first aid, rest vehicles and transport back to Boorowa.

The day was perfect and I would like to express my gratitude to everyone that participated in a powerful and passionate coming together of women, in support and awareness of violence against women, and starting the conversation.

Violence against women is real, its serious, and it needs to STOP. One in three women will experience violence in their lifetime. One in five women will be the victim of sexual violence, one women is killed every week by her partner or ex partner. Violence against women cost the nation 13.6 billion dollars every year.

The Mercy Walk For Women would like to thank Elders limited, The Top Pub, Robert and Gayle Taylor, The Boorowa Shire Council, Boorowa IGA and Mogga Hire.

-Teena McGrath (Mercy Walk for Women)