University of Newcastle Students Take Up the Tools to Support Women in Need

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A vital outreach arm of the University of Newcastle has delivered a small but welcome project for women's refuge Carrie's Place as part of International Women's Day.

Over five weeks, women from the community and female students from the School of Architecture and Built Environment worked with the team from Outfit to build two custom-designed dining tables.

The timber used for the project was donated from a former display at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum.

Third-year student Kinga, says learning to use large workshop power tools was a bit daunting at first, but well worth it.

"I think it's very important in the field of built environment that we support women because it's a very male-dominated industry," she said.

"It's just great to be a part of something bigger than yourself." 

Head of School Professor Sue Anne Ware, says the group is also undergoing a number of other projects to support the service into the future.

 

Third-year student Kinga in front of a photo of her and a community volunteer working on a table top.

 

 

Violence Victims Left with Nowhere to Go

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Restricted government funding has left over 100 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie domestic violence victims without safe and secure housing.

Domestic violence services are at maximum capacity, while women and children continue to struggle to find safe accommodation. 

Over the past four weeks, 77 women and 31 children were unable to be accommodated by crisis refuges. 

Ongoing pressure to meet the demand for crisis accommodation is growing, as the number of case referrals increase. 

Newcastle Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Manager Suellyn Moore, said domestic violence services and victims are pleading for support from the NSW government. 

"Unless there are real time results, we're going to see more people stay in DV relationships," she said.  

There's concerns, without sufficient funding for safe and secure housing, the number of women and children left struggling to find safe accommodation will continue to rise across the region and the state.