Healthy Families Yarn (HFY) is an initiative of the Domestic Violence Action Group (DVAG) in Mount Isa: developed to encourage and support healthy, strength-based yarns/conversations around healthy relationships and DFV prevention. Beginning in mid-2019, HFY developed as a yarn-bombing initiative: also known as “granny graffiti” or “guerilla knitting”, as a public art-based platform involving the knitting, yarning, weaving and crochet of public spaces to raise awareness for a cause. DVAG created HFY to broaden positive, primary prevention conversations amongst the community, not just those engaged in DFV services.

DVAG partnered with Mount Isa City Council, Tourism Association and the sector to deliver a “preview” to HFY in November 2019 for The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. A local, prominent statue was “yarn bombed” with wool as a conversation starter. A Facebook page was created (www.facebook.com/healthyfamiliesyarn), resources were developed in partnership with Traditional Owners, sector-wide consultation and collaboration occurred and media coverage commenced to generate a push towards DFV Prevention Month, May 2020.