A BURST of applause resonated through the hall as Forster Neighbourhood Centre’s Trish Wallace announced to the crowd gathered that Great Lakes Women’s Refuge was well on the way to reaching its second stage target of $115,000.
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Adding to its growing coffers were the funds raised at the Forster Tuncurry Quota Club’s soup kitchen, which by the end of the day were estimated at $1000.
“Every seat at the tables has been filled, some of them twice,” Quota member Jan Irvine said.
With a bowl of soup, bread, and a sweet slice all on offer for $10 for a good cause, what was not to like? The women of Quota had contributed all the food and with a choice of Thai sweet potato, chicken noodle, chicken vegetable, pea and ham, and pumpkin soups. Going up for seconds was definitely an option. Ten women ran the busy kitchen, with more Quota members attending to a total of around 80 walk in guests at Forster’s Uniting Church hall.
The event was well timed, with a new report released by Homelessness Australia revealing that $33.8 million of funding per annum is currently missing from the Federal Government’s budget to ensure that women fleeing domestic violence are not left without crisis accommodation to keep them safe.
The report further stated that at least 2,800 women fleeing domestic violence are turned away from homeless services each year, with experts saying that the number is increasing.
“Despite all their talk about the national crisis, the Federal Government still has not adequately funded the services that are needed to help keep women safe,” Glenda Stevens, CEO of Homelessness Australia, said.
“When a woman tries to escape abuse, she is at greater risk of being killed by her partner. Without full funding for specialist homelessness services, women’s lives will remain at risk.”
