Survivors in Hamilton honored abuse victims from Ballarat and Newcastle, citing hundreds of trauma-linked suicides and advancing memorial efforts.

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse from Ballarat and Newcastle gathered in Hamilton to honor victims and share traumatic experiences from schools where abusive clergy operated, including the Marist Brothers. The event highlighted the lasting impact of abuse, with confirmed suicide deaths linked to trauma—50 in Ballarat and at least 80 in Newcastle, though numbers may be incomplete. A memorial at St Francis Xavier’s College, featuring a “loud fence” with ribbons and personal items, honors victims, particularly those abused by the Marist Brothers, and stands as the only such memorial in Newcastle. Ballarat is advancing plans for Australia’s first comprehensive memorial, expected by 2026. Meanwhile, the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese says it is working on a broader community memorial but has not released a public action plan, emphasizing survivor engagement before any updates.