You raise me up … guests at the 2026 Betty’s Place pre-Mother’s Day fundraiser at Albury united for a cause close to women’s hearts – a violence-free world for women and children. Photo: Valentine Archive.
It was an incredible gathering of some of the Border’s leading ladies.
A colourful, fashionably dressed cohort of 250 women (and a handful of men), many of them successful business owners and leaders in their fields. Colleagues, friends, sisters, mothers and daughters united by a cause and commitment to making a difference to the lives of women and children impacted by family and domestic violence in this region.
Led by Traverse Alpine Group’s Rosy Seaton, the pre-Mother’s Day lunch raised $220,000 to support the new Betty’s Place women’s refuge in East Albury – and ignited hopes for a world free of violence against women and children.
Region took the opportunity to interview several of the event’s long-running supporters to ask what it means to be a woman in 2026, asking them:
1. What does the word “feminism” mean to you?
2. Why is it important to support the work of Betty’s Place?
3. What are the biggest challenges for women in 2026?
BF Transport’s Belinda Mathews with her daughter Mackensy Mathews. The family has been the major sponsor of the annual Betty’s Place pre-Mother’s Day lunch since its inception. Photo: Valentine Archive.
Belinda Mathews, co-owner of BF Transport Albury:
- My sons (19 and 21 years of age) and I have had big conversations about what feminism means. I think in many ways it’s scary because men are often expected to give away their softness and self-worth to pursue demanding career roles or certain expectations.
We have two loving and caring boys, who have had the luxury of seeing my husband Nico and I work together and the beauty of having two older sisters, as well, is they have great role models … it’s a collective effort. - The reason we have supported this event and the work of [Yes Unlimited CEO] Di Glover from the start is because this is our community, this is where we grew up and this is where we can hopefully make a small contribution to creating change and perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel for those who have experienced financial, physical or psychological abuse or coercive control. We need to throw as much at this as we can!
- I still think one of the biggest challenges facing women is financial. I am lucky to have a great husband and family, and a reliable, supportive network, but I know there are many women who face financial insecurity and hardship every single day.
Rosy Seaton (right), Traverse Alpine Group owner and organiser of the 7th Betty’s Place pre-Mother’s Day lunch pictured with domestic violence advocate Simone O’Brien. Photo: Valentine Archive.
Rosy Seaton, owner of Traverse Alpine Group:
- Feminism is about equality – that part hasn’t changed. It’s women standing together for their rights and freedom in an ever-changing world with its new technological challenges.
- Every woman and child deserves to be safe and respected. Investing in the work of Betty’s Place is not only the right thing to do but in supporting women against domestic violence we are assisting her family and the broader community.
- Many of our challenges as women remain the same but with an added layer that comes with modern technology including AI, mobile phones and social media, which make tracking and surveillance more accessible. The new era of “the manosphere” is heavily monetising the abuse of women on a scale not seen before. That reach via social media is infiltrating younger and younger boys or, indeed, anyone with access to social media.
Jo Wade, owner of Websters Estate Bethanga which has been a committed sponsor of the annual Betty’s Place pre-Mother’s Day event. Photo: Valentine Archive.
Jo Wade, owner of Websters Estate, Bethanga:
- We’ve come a long way but there are still moments where women are not looked upon or treated as equals. The difference with my generation (I’m 62) is that treatment was entrenched and we accepted it. Today we are more aware and a lot of good women – and men – have done so much work in this space.
- The work of Betty’s Place is particularly close to me as I experienced domestic violence when my children were very young. (I shouldn’t still cry about it … I’ve had an incredible life). Back then it was considered “just a domestic” and no-one got involved. Women often had to stay because there were no options. It’s beautiful isn’t it to think how far we’ve come – it’s not “just a domestic” anymore.
- The biggest challenge for women in 2026 is … ourselves. We need to support and lift each other up. Sometimes women can be too quick to judge each other harshly.
Ray White Albury North managing director Andrea Lever (third from left at front) with her team supporting the Betty’s Place pre-Mother’s Day lunch. Photo: Valentine Archive.
Andrea Lever, managing director of Ray White Albury North:
- Feminism, to me, means respecting everyone, regardless of gender. It’s also about listening, learning, and supporting each other to break down old-fashioned stereotypes and to build a future where everyone can thrive without limitations based on gender. It’s a commitment to fairness, justice, and empowerment for all.
- Projects like Betty’s Place help create safer communities. They raise awareness, provide support and resources to survivors, and work to prevent violence before it happens. Hopefully no-one has to feel defeated and alone when we have a facility of this calibre in the region.
- There are so many challenges for women in 2026 but a personal one for me is balancing work and family responsibilities. There is judgement of being a career woman and having independence, so in this respect ongoing work is needed to break down societal stereotypes.
Know your worth! Rachael Muntz, of Albury’s Muntz & Associates at the annual fundraiser for Betty’s Place women’s refuge. The tax accountancy firm is among the long-standing sponsors of the event, now in its seventh year. Photo: Supplied.
Rachael Muntz, partner at Muntz & Associates, Albury:
- Feminism means women knowing their worth.
- My husband Ryan and I (both partners at Muntz & Associates) have two daughters who are 16 and 14 growing up in Albury. We hope to see in their generation violence against women eradicated.
- The biggest challenge facing women in 2026 is that we still don’t know our own worth and we undervalue ourselves all the time!
