Aftermath
www.isis.aust.com/rtn/aftermath.htm

Feedback Winding-up - Debrief
After the march, rally and celebrations the organising groups meet again to celebrate, debrief, evaluate, reflect, look at photos and discuss suggestions for the next year's event. Many groups make this a fun occasion to honour the organising group members' hard work.

It is also an opportunity for wider acknowledgement of support and to say thank you. You may also have a few ends to tie up:

• reconciling the funds

• organising storage of resources (banners, artwork, any left overs from sales of T-shirts, badges, candles etc )

• pulling information together and resources for next year's organising group

• some groups organise collective thank you's by sending a letter to the editor of the local newspaper

• you may want to respond to media coverage of the event and issues raised (see the Central West Women's Health Centre's letter to the editor, which follows this section, after the local council claimed sponsorship of the event!)

• send a copy of this year's material to the RTN National Archives

Women's reflections:
 “We had a very informal evaluation.  We got together over a coffee and we had a chat about how did it go, what people would've liked to have changed, how they felt it went, which I think needs to be put in place as part of that group process.” Sarah, Bathurst

 “RTN was a great way to meet heaps of women. It was great to see so many people turn up at such short notice.” Anthea, Wagga

 “Daunting, exciting - the mood of the night was very empowering, touching positive... women with older mothers...men with strollers... just great community awareness raising." Sally, Orange

 “Locally, I'm not sure how much support we got in the street but the idea is to be seen and make people notice that there are people in the community standing up against violence." Anthea, Wagga

 “Women found it difficult to be out there; it was really brave. We had pots and pans and whistles  Women were afraid of making noise...but really opened up. Not huge numbers but we did a lot of amazing good work for the community. We got some backlash but more women outside the alternative crowd came... women you’d never expect to come." Fairy, Wauchope

 “Looking back from the raised stage the crowd was in tiers, there was a sea of candle light. (The greatest joy was) being surprised at the enthusiasm and the numbers for a first event. The unifying spirit in the night." Cate, Coff's Harbour

 “At the end I thought it was worth it because what I found was the majority of women who attended were young women, and I think it’s very important to reach them educationally." Gabriele, Wagga

Some groups carry on their political action and lobbying throughout the year or get involved in other events. 

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