An East Maitland Bowling Club program that offers crisis accommodation to domestic violence victims has been recognised with a state-wide award.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club won the Disability, Welfare, and Social Inclusion category at the ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards for their work with Carrie’s Place.
East Maitland Bowling Club first supported Carrie’s Place when they were approached for a financial donation a few years ago.
But in 2015, the issue of domestic violence came to the club’s prominent attention when The Mercury reported that up to thirteen women per week were turned away from Lower Hunter domestic violence refuges due to a lack of crisis accommodation.
A second article suggested that these figures were the “tip of the iceberg” and the Hunter was in the midst of an accommodation crisis for women and children attempting to escape dangerous situations.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson asked the club to help with this growing crisis.
President Bill Hopkins raised the matter with the board, who agreed to help by providing a residence to be used for crisis accommodation.
This arrangement was the focus of the award-winning submission.
Carrie’s Place CEO Jan MacDonald was overjoyed by the news of the award win.
“Our partnership has assisted many women and their children get back on their feet, and start on the road to recovery,” she said.
“We appreciate your generosity and contribution to our community.”
