Stand Up in September: A Night of Solidarity

The launch event was a tremendous success, with a full house of guests raising vital funds for You Matter. An auction led by Nicholas Brooks, Director of Marshall White, generated enough to fund 12 new Havens of Hope—fully furnished homes that provide women and children recovering from family violence with safety, dignity, and a fresh start.

High-profile attendees included Carlton Football Club CEO Brian Cook, Paul Licuria, Sydney Premiership star Ted Richards, and a live performance from Mike Brady, who brought the room to life with Up There Cazaly.

Headline speaker Tarang Chawla, award-winning advocate, writer, and lawyer, shared his moving story. Since the tragic murder of his sister Nikita in 2015, Chawla has become one of Australia’s most influential voices against gender-based violence. As co-founder of Not One More Niki, he has spent the past decade sparking national conversations, shaping policy, and demanding systemic change.

Marshall White’s leadership was also front and centre, with CEO Simon Jovanovic among eight business leaders making a public pledge of support:

"This September, I will stand up and make a pledge. As a father — to my two girls and my boy — to raise them in a world of respect and equality. As a leader of a business — with 228 incredible women whose safety, voices, and potential I will always protect and champion. As a leader of 141 men in our business — who will stand with me, listen with me, and help create a culture where everyone is valued. This is my commitment."

John Bongiorno, Group Sales Director at Marshall White, highlighted the housing crisis as a critical barrier for women escaping family violence:

"Family violence is compounded by the current housing crisis. For too many women and children, escaping violence is only the beginning — affordable housing is scarce. Supporting You Matter helps bridge that gap and create safe futures."

The campaign also spotlights the link between housing stress and family violence. On average, more than 300 women are turned away from crisis accommodation each day, nearly half escaping family violence. With rental stress at record highs, many remain in unsafe homes. You Matter’s model of fully furnished transitional housing directly addresses this gap, offering shelter, dignity, and stability.

Launched ahead of AFL finals season—when family violence reports historically spike—the 2025 campaign aims to spark urgent conversations, encourage accountability, and inspire meaningful change. This year also marks the first Stand Up in September since You Matter announced its three-year partnership with the Carlton Football Club. Through the Carlton

Respects initiative, launched in 2016, the club continues to be a leading voice on gender equality in Australian sport, helping amplify the campaign’s reach.

Building on last year’s momentum, which raised nearly $30,000, the 2025 launch sets a new benchmark for impact. With support from Hotel Collingwood, Marshall White, and Carlton Respects, Stand Up in September will continue throughout the month, uniting sporting communities and the broader public with one goal: ending family violence.