Zauner Construction’s Zia Beaumont with Yes Unlimited chief Di Glover and Albury MP Justin Clancy during a site tour in January of the new Betty’s Place women’s refuge, which is close to completion. Photo: Supplied.
You can see and feel the love that’s gone into every aspect of Albury’s new domestic and family violence refuge, says Yes Unlimited chief Di Glover.
The $3.5 million-plus ‘Core and Cluster’ development that’s rapidly taking its final shape on a privately positioned block in East Albury is on track to be completed and open for referrals by the end of March.
The state-of-the-art refuge, which includes seven new self-contained units with on-site staff and supports in a central multipurpose building, is a vital boost to the city’s much-loved but outdated Betty’s Place.
For Ms Glover, the redevelopment by specialist homelessness agency Yes Unlimited and Housing Plus has been quite the journey since the idea was first floated in 2019.
“Yes, I think you could call this a passion project,” she said.
“We knew back then the communal model was not serving women and their families. We initially looked at how we could restructure what we had but were thrilled the NSW Government came forward with funding from its Core and Cluster program.
“It’s pretty exciting to see it come to where we are now.”
The ‘Core and Cluster’ model is designed to deliver more appropriate crisis accommodation for women and children in trauma with the focus on maintaining the family unit and a sense of home.
This project will also increase the capacity to house more people in safety, privacy and with dignity, according to Ms Glover.
And she said Albury’s Zauner Construction had delivered that – and more – with this build.
During regular site inspections, Ms Glover and visitors have marvelled as the vision has been brought to life, noting the attention to detail, quality finishes and clever use of space.
“Each unit has a thoroughly modern and spacious look and feel, even though the floor plans are not huge,” she said. “From the raked ceilings that allow the light to flood in, to the careful consideration of privacy, lines of sight to outdoor areas, high levels of security and energy efficient installations, you can see this has been a labour of love.”
The Border and wider community has embraced the ‘Making Betty’s Better’ project, with major fundraising initiatives led by long-running supporter Traverse Alpine Group owner Rosy Seaton.
Last year’s Betty’s Place Pre-Mother’s Day lunch, in its sixth year, raised a record-breaking $140,000 towards continuing that support for more women and children escaping domestic violence locally.
She is calling on the community’s help to continue their generosity by buying a ticket in a car raffle that will raise a further $170,000 to help cover shortfalls in fitting out the new crisis refuge.
Albury’s new Betty’s Place women’s refuge is set to be completed and open for referrals by the end of March. Photo: Supplied.
An October 2021 report, A Case for Change: Betty’s Place, recommended YES Unlimited pursue the development of a core and cluster refuge in Albury “as a matter of urgency”.
In 2024, Yes Unlimited reported a critical and “unprecedented” increase in the number of women seeking help for family and domestic violence on the Border.
Ms Glover said her agency was seeing 8 to 10 women a week presenting after a domestic violence assault.
In the past 12 months, the Albury LGA had 465 domestic and family violence incidents reported to police, ranking it 22nd in the state out of 128 LGAs.
The need is still great, she said.
“This local model empowers women to build independence in a safe space with immediate access to support services,” she said.
“Something as simple as buying a ticket in a raffle for a fantastic car can mean helping to build safer futures for women and children in our region.
“We are thrilled we are delivering a project on time and on budget but we still have to fit out seven units with furnishings, all the cutlery and crockery etc … it would be devastating to have to make sacrifices close to the end if we don’t have all the funds we need.”
During a recent tour of the site, Albury MP Justin Clancy urged the community to keep up its support for Betty’s Place so close to the finish line.
“Every effort has gone into making this a much-needed space and a place of healing,” he said.
“We have a generous community – so please jump in and buy a ticket!”
Buy tickets for the Betty’s Place car raffle here or purchase through Albury Newsagency, Wodonga Prestige Volkswagen, or contact Terri Hollis on 0418 653 229 or email [email protected]
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, support is available:
- Lifeline 13 11 14; Men’s Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
