Mayor ball raises $100K for DV victims

from Cooroy Rag 28 September 2022 edition

Health

news Mayor ball raises $100K for domestic violence victims

MORE than $100,000 was raised to go towards transitional housing for domestic violence victims at this year’s inaugural Mingle with the Mayor Ball.

Over 190 attended the gala event at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas on 3 September to mingle with Noosa’s mayor Clare Stewart and listen to guest speaker, domestic violence campaigner Dr Rosie Batty AO.

Mingle with the Mayor Ball organiser Josanne Falla said the funds raised were in excess of their goal for the night.

“Our dream this year is to create a transitional home in Noosa for women and kids who have nowhere to go once they have decided to run, often with nothing.

“They are refugees but they can only stay a short time, then they are couch surfing, living in their cars or back to the perpetrators.

“On average in Queensland, it takes over two years for social housing. There are no rentals in Noosa, nor in many other areas locally, meaning they then must leave jobs, friends, schools and connections and start again.”

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart said with current stats showing one in three women over the age of 15 have experienced some kind of violence in their life, the annual event is about courage.

“It’s about speaking out and it’s about speaking up, standing firmly for what you believe in and being a voice for those with none.

“They say it takes a village and indeed it does.

“The ball would not have been possible without a group of remarkable women who came together for the very best of reasons and I congratulate the Womenkind team for their remarkable efforts,” Clare said.

Josanne said Womenkind is an organisation about empowering women.

“We are not a service organisation. We’re about connecting the right people and supporting our women to enable them to support their families.

“Domestic abuse is ongoing and inter-generational: it keeps going on and on and on until we put into place some of the wonderful ideas we and others have on the drawing board.”

Josanne said their aim is to raise enough money this year, brick by brick, to ‘raise the roof’ and “build a haven where the women and kids can stay until the government or they can find something permanent”.

“Whether we start by purchasing or leasing land, a house, or an apartment to build something permanent and tangible for mums and bubs to lean into.

“The Mingle with the Mayor Ball is one of our many fundraisers during the year, where we get together to have fun, enjoy each other’s company and make a difference.”

Josanne said she is very grateful for all the generous contributions made by local businesses.

“Our raffle was generously donated by Isabella’s Fine and Antique Jewellery. There were some wonderful auction prizes gifted by local businesses, which were really appreciated given tougher economic trading for many.”

The Cooroy Rag donated a $2000 marketing package, and staff members, Jodi Brennan, Alex Purcell and Kristina Tindall were invited to attend.

Jo at Bear Cave Barber Shop in Cooroy donated her time to do Jodi’s hair and makeup.

Jodi said she was very grateful for Jo’s skills. "Jo did such a beautiful job and I was proud to attend such a powerful event with the Cooroy Rag team."

Jodi Brennan, Mayor Clare Stewart, Alex Purcell and Kristina Tindall at the Mingle with the Mayor Ball.

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