By Hollie Harris
THE Noosa Civic was seeing stars last week when 10,000 woven stars were strung and hoisted up in the food court as a part of The One Million Stars to End Violence project.
Project founder Maryann Talia Pau stood proudly beneath the stars which represent the countless hours the community has put in to help raise awareness about violence.
Her vision to begin this project of working in communities to weave stars against violence came into reality when she was inspired by a quote by Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.
“Returning hate for hate only multiplies hate and in deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” Maryann said.
“This is about not needing a tragedy to bring people together; it is to say to somebody that your safety and your wellbeing are important.
“I am so excited that the light and the love and the courage from this community here at Noosa is going to be a part of the amazing installation at the Commonwealth Games,” Maryann said.
“To some people this is just a craft, but for so many people all around the world, this brings a huge healing connection,” she said.
This collection of stars will go on to join many other collections from around Australia which will eventually make up a count of 1 million to be showcased at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.
