Contract awarded to Palmerston and Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation to deliver Katanning Women’s Refuge

Palmerston Association has been awarded the contract for a new women’s refuge in Katanning in partnership with Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation, with the State Government committing to contribute to costs. The contract was announced on Thursday, one of 24 priority projects funded by the Early Years Partnership between the State Government, Minderoo Foundation, and The Kids Research Institute Australia. The Katanning Women’s Refuge will provide safe accommodation for victim-survivors to start healing from the trauma of family and domestic violence, and will accommodate up to five women and their children. Palmerston chief executive officer Emma Jarvis said their involvement in the new refuge will help bring streamlined support and solutions for mental health, family and domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. “Many people who come to us are navigating complex and interconnected challenges,” she said. “This is about more than crisis accommodation. “It’s about connection, safety and long-term healing, creating a space where women and children can begin to rebuild their lives, supported by a team who understands the complexity of their needs.” Palmerston regional manager Tina Edwards-Pope met with Katanning Regional Emergency Accommodation Centre manager Sharalee Buss following the announcement to thank the community organisation for more than 35 years of service as Palmerston and the Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation look ahead to providing new support and services for the region. The State Government has committed $3 million to support the refuge’s operation. Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski said supporting victim-survivors across WA was a priority of the State Government. “The Katanning Women’s Refuge will provide a safe space for more victim-survivors who have had to leave their homes to escape family and domestic violence,” she said. “Importantly, this new facility will give victim-survivors the safety and access to the services they need to begin re-establishing their lives.” The Early Years Partnership aims to improve the development, health and learning of children aged 0-4 years old across four partner communities: Armadale, the Central Great Southern, Derby, and Bidyadanga. The need for a refuge service in Katanning was identified by the Central Great Southern Community in their Early Years Community Plan, Koort Boodja Moortabin (Children Growing Strong), which listed family safety as one of five priorities. As part of the partnership, the Minderoo Foundation will invest an additional $1.9 million into perpetrator intervention and behaviour change programs in the region.