A new name and improved facilities for Meekatharra Women’s Refuge

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After redevelopment over the last 18 months, our Nyarlu Duwa Women’s Refuge (formerly Meekatharra Women’s Refuge) is ready to welcome even more women and children who need a safe place to call home!

As a part of the redevelopment, it was decided that Meekatharra Women’s Refuge would be renamed. This came after significant consultation with and guidance by local Elders and the Meekatharra Aboriginal Reference Group (MARG). Together they agreed that this facility would now be known as Nyarlu Duwa or Woman House in Wadjari.

Last month, our CEO James Toomey attended the opening where he met with local Elders and key stakeholders.

Nyarlu Duwa supports women and children who are in need of emergency accommodation as a result of family and domestic violence as well as those who recognise escalating patterns of violent or abusive behaviour and wish to remove themselves from potential harm.

The relocation of a purpose-built structure on site will provide a new administrative space plus staff bathroom, common room/kitchenette and bedroom that can be used as an overflow space or specific staff bedroom in case a sleepover is required.

Mission Australia Midwest Gascoyne Area Manager, Dr Paul Royce, said it was exciting to see the redevelopment project come to fruition.

The redevelopment will really impact our ability to provide high quality services to women and children at risk in this region and will allow us to connect them with essential assistance, support and safety particularly in times of crisis and increasing need.

This redevelopment would not have been possible without the generous support of Sandfire Resources NL, Property Council of Australia - WA, Iris Residential and Emerge Associates as well as a number of local trades people and suppliers, who offered at cost items for the redevelopment.

Stage three of the development will commence in the near future with plans to undertake a renovation of the existing kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities to make them universally accessible and fit for purpose and is expected to be completed in June 2020.

Mission Australia works collaboratively in the Midwest Gascoyne region with State Government agencies, local communities and support services to provide a range of services to improve outcomes for people living in regional and remote WA.