Pink Shirts to Stop Bullies

IN solidarity with a student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt, two students at his school in the United States bought pink shirts for themselves and other students to wear to school.

Members of the Upper Hunter Youth Council, Chelsea Speck, Sara Schofield, Alby O’Regan, Darcy Pittman, Phoebe Weatherly and Upper Hunter Shire’s youth services supervisor Mary Spora are bringing awareness of bullying within schools and workplaces this month.

It was a gesture that was the genesis of Pink Shirt day and this year students in the Upper Hunter will be participating.

Mary Spora, youth services supervisor, Upper Hunter Shire Council, said workplaces are encouraged to follow their lead.

“If you are unable to wear a pink shirt due to uniform requirements, why not add a touch of pink to your outfit whether it be a wrist band, hat, socks, or a ribbon in your hair,” said Ms Spora.

“It will all have the same outcome; helping to make a difference in our community,” she said.

Wayne Bedggood, mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire Council said he is pleased the Upper Hunter Youth Council is raising awareness of bullying.

“I don’t think some people understand how damaging bullying can be for a person’s mental health, whether they are at school, in the workplace, online or in person,” Mr Bedggood said.

“I for one didn’t realise that approximately one in four Year 4 to Year 9 Australian students report being bullied every few weeks, or more often during the last term of school,” she said.

“That means that 27% of students in those school years may not be enjoying their school life, that number is too high,” Mayor Wayne Bedggood said.

Funds raised from the event will be used for mental health education work with young people of the Upper Hunter.

Pink Shirt Day: Friday, February 26, 2016