Aunty Colleen’s Place opens after decades of community advocacy for women and children escaping violence

RAYMOND TERRACE, NSW – Women and children escaping domestic and family violence now have access to safe, purpose-built crisis accommodation in Port Stephens, with the official opening of Aunty Colleen’s Place – the region’s first refuge for women and children. 

Named in honour of fierce Worimi Elder and matriarch Aunty Colleen Perry, the refuge has been shaped by years of strength, resilience and advocacy from women, children and young people across Port Stephens, whose voices informed both its design and the way services will be delivered. 

The opening marks an extraordinary milestone for Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFaNS) and the wider community. For more than 35 years, PSFaNS has supported local individuals and families, and local women have advocated for a refuge in the region for more than two decades. 

Funded through a $7.2 million investment by the NSW Government under its Core and Cluster program, Aunty Colleen’s Place has been delivered through a partnership between PSFaNS, Hume Housing and the NSW Government. It provides safe accommodation and specialist, locally connected support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. 

The refuge forms part of the NSW Government’s broader Core and Cluster program, which is investing $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across New South Wales for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. 

The refuge features six self-contained units connected to a central core building, where residents can access support in a safe, trauma-informed environment. It includes accessible and pet-friendly accommodation, landscaped communal areas, dedicated spaces for children and young people, indoor and outdoor play areas, and a yarning circle. The refuge has been shaped by the strength, creativity and cultural knowledge of local Worimi women, whose artwork, handcrafted furnishings and design elements are woven throughout the space. Encouraging messages from women previously supported by PSFaNS are also displayed throughout the refuge, offering hope and connection to those beginning their recovery journey. 

PSFaNS will deliver the specialist services at the heart of the Core and Cluster model, including early intervention and homelessness support, financial counselling, emergency relief, legal referrals and child and family counselling. The refuge also features an innovative audio-visual room, allowing women to safely attend court proceedings with support staff by their side, and a fully equipped medical room hosting GP, nursing and domestic and family violence-related brain injury clinics delivered in partnership with Raymond Terrace Family Practice. A range of therapeutic and community programs will be offered on site, including playgroups, parenting programs, Women Speak and Children Speak, art therapy, Aboriginal cultural groups and early learning activities. All refuge staff have been trained in LEGO Foundation play-based therapy to support children’s healing, development and recovery through play. 

Local businesses, individuals and organisations across Port Stephens have donated funds, goods and services to help bring Aunty Colleen’s Place to life. PSFaNS and its partner Hume Housing are proud that the refuge is truly a community effort, by the community, for the community. 

The official opening was attended by Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison, Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson, Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson and Deputy Mayor Chris Doohan, representatives from PSFaNS and Hume Housing, the Perry family, and members of the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council. 

PSFANS AT THE HEART OF THE PROJECT 

Sue Pollock, Manager, Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services, said: 

“Port Stephens’ first refuge for women and children is named after fierce Worimi Elder and matriarch Aunty Colleen Perry and has been shaped by years of strength, resilience and advocacy from so many Port Stephens women, children and young people. 

“Their voices have informed the design of Aunty Colleen’s Place and the way services will be delivered, helping us create a refuge that reflects the needs of the community it serves. 

“Local businesses, individuals and organisations across Port Stephens have generously donated funds, goods and services. Together with our partner Hume Housing, we are incredibly proud that Aunty Colleen’s Place is truly a community effort, by the community, for the community.” 

– Sue Pollock, Manager, PSFaNS 

HUME PROUD TO SUPPORT PSFANS’ VISION 

Hume Housing Chief Executive Officer Brad Braithwaite said: 

“Today belongs to the women, children, young people and community members who never gave up advocating for a local refuge. 

“PSFaNS has led that advocacy for many years, and Hume has been privileged to work alongside them and the NSW Government to help bring this community vision to life. 

“Aunty Colleen’s Place is much more than safe accommodation. It is a place where women and children can remain connected to their community while accessing the support and opportunities they need to heal, recover and build a brighter future. 

“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when local people, community organisations, businesses and government come together with a shared purpose.” 

– Brad Braithwaite, Chief Executive Officer, Hume Housing 

The Port Stephens region has some of the highest reported rates of domestic and family violence in New South Wales. Until now, women and children fleeing violence often had to leave the area to access refuge accommodation. 

The opening of Aunty Colleen’s Place represents the culmination of decades of advocacy by PSFaNS, local women and community leaders who recognised the need for a safe refuge close to home. Backed by NSW Government funding and supported by Hume Housing and people and organisations from across Port Stephens, that community-led vision has now become a reality.