With May being the month of awareness for domestic violence, Gold Coast SUNS respect and responsibility ambassador Zac Smith teamed up with Australia’s CEO Challenge for the annual Darkness 2 Daylight gala event.

The initiative has become a key part to the GC SUNS’ community efforts, with the CEO Challenge driven by Australian business leaders and violence prevention activists focused on creating and sustaining a world free from family violence.

The event aligns directly with the Gold Coast SUNS Horizons program, which also deals heavily in the space of youth homelessness and the region’s Northern Growth Corridor.

Smith was named the AFL’s 2013 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award winner, and a portion of the prizemoney was presented as a donation to Australia’s CEO Challenge to help go towards awareness and prevention of domestic violence.

“I was fortunate to win the Jim Stynes medal last year, with that came $20,000 that I could donate to four or five charities and one is CEO Challenge,” Smith said.

“It’s a great charity, they do so many great things and create awareness around domestic violence.”

Executive Director of Australia’s CEO Challenge, Wendy Reid, has been working with the club in educating workplaces and communities about the damaging effects of domestic violence.

“We have been part of the Horizons Program for a few years now ever since it was set up, absolutely delighted to be part of it,” said Ms Reid.

“We partner up with businesses and various government departments and especially and most excitingly teams like the SUNS, to get the word out there and to start really making steps in preventing this silent epidemic.”

The night was a chance for the Australia’s CEO Challenge and the SUNS to bring together stakeholders and supporters to help create awareness and prevention for domestic violence.