Daylesford Town Hall will also be lit up in the colour purple while people at Daylesford Secondary College and Daylesford Police Station will wear purple to show solidarity with these communities, in an effort to reduce bullying and suicide.

Former Daylesford resident and now board member at Wear It Purple, Katherine Wolfgramme, said the organisation not only supported rainbow children, but also other children who felt different to those around them. 

Ms Wolfgramme, a Gender Diversity Consultant and Trans Awareness Trainer, has broken down many barriers in her life, while living as a transwoman for 30 years. She is the first transgender person of colour to be appointed to the Wear It Purple board.

Ms Wolfgramme said Daylesford was one of the only places in the world where she felt safe, content and accepted by the community.

“I learnt to be strong in Daylesford,” she said. 

Although a small town, Ms Wolfgramme said this was an opportunity for Daylesford to set an example for other rural communities, given it had the advantage of being renowned for its respect for diversity.

“Wear It Purple Day is about celebrating uniqueness. Uniqueness makes you stand out as a child, but makes an outstanding adult who is different to the herd,” she said. “The day is about comprehending differences. Just because a person is different, it doesn’t mean that they are any less viable to society.”

Wear It Purple began in 2010 as a reaction to the plethora of suicides by youth as a result of cyber bullying. Wearing purple on August 31 signifies support for young people who are feeling isolated.