On any given afternoon at Orion Springfield Central, the air is filled with the warm, ordinary rhythms of everyday life. Children laugh in the nearby playground, shoppers stroll with coffees in hand, and families carry their groceries home. Yet, right in the midst of these everyday moments sits a bright red bench with a simple, quiet message: “Domestic Violence: Let’s Change the Ending.”
It’s a striking, vivid splash of crimson set against a backdrop of community life in Greater Springfield. Part of the Red Rose Foundation’s Red Bench Project, this seat, installed in 2022, serves as a gentle reminder that love should always mean safety.
It whispers a truth we often find difficult to voice: that domestic and family violence isn’t a distant headline. It touches suburbs, neighbors, and people’s hearts.
Honoring Katherine: A Name That Touches the Heart
On 23 July 2026, the message carved into the wood carries a deeply tender local connection.
When the Red Rose Foundation gathers in Brisbane for its solemn Red Rose Rally, a list of names will be read aloud—lives cut short, loved ones deeply missed, and stories that deserve to be remembered with grace. Among them is Katherine Sanowski, from Greater Springfield.
In early 2026, Katherine’s life came to a heartbreaking end in nearby Bellbird Park, an event that rocked the community and led to formal charges under domestic violence legislation. While the legal process moves through the court system, the community’s heart turns toward healing and honour.
Katherine is not just a statistic in a news file. She is a neighbor, a soul who belonged to our streets, and her memory now lends a powerful urgency to the words written on Orion’s bench.
Her life is a reminder of why breaking the silence matters so profoundly.
From Reflection to Action: A Place to Begin
While the red bench asks people to stop, pause, and remember, the Greater Springfield community has ensured that no one has to carry their burdens alone. Up on Level 1 of Orion Springfield Central, hope takes a practical, compassionate shape at The HOPE Hub.
Managed by Beyond DV alongside dedicated partners like Small Steps 4 Hannah and The Sunlight Centre, the Hub was created with a deep understanding of human vulnerability. Seeking help when living in fear or uncertainty can feel like climbing a mountain.
The HOPE Hub exists so no one has to make that journey alone—or travel far to find a safe ear.
- A Safe, Welcoming Space: Located conveniently right inside the shopping centre, residents don’t need to navigate central city transit to ask for guidance.
- No Pressure, Just Support: Whether you need immediate advice, mental health resources, or simply a quiet space to explore your options without judgment, the Hub is there to listen.
Direct Line: 0422 723 435 (Please check current operating hours prior to visiting)
A Shared Journey Toward the Light
Ending family violence takes collective courage. Together, the red bench, the Brisbane rally, and the HOPE Hub form a safety net of remembrance and action.
The bench keeps the conversation visible in our daily lives, while the Red Rose Rally offers a dedicated space to honour lives like Katherine’s so they are never forgotten. Remembrance turns into real support at the HOPE Hub, where compassion becomes a safe doorway toward healing.
Pain may be part of this story, but it doesn’t have to be the final chapter for others. Every time you pause, remember, or reach out, you help write a safer, softer ending for the community.
Lifelines & Support Services
If you or someone you know is facing control, fear, or domestic violence, compassionate help is always available:
- Emergency Services: 000 (Immediate Danger)
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (National domestic, family, and sexual violence counsel)
- DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811 (Queensland support and crisis shelter)
Published 20-July-2026
