Central Victorian women in the spotlight at high tea

A high tea at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday will highlight the achievements of six women and benefit many.

Bendigo Ladies Day Out will be both a fundraiser for the Annie North Women’s Crisis Refuge Centre and an opportunity to congratulate the recipients of the Bendigo Women’s Community Achievement Awards. 

Special guests will include former police officer Narelle Fraser, who dedicated much of her 27-year career at Victoria Police to investigating child abuse and sex offences. 

She was a detective in the rape and homicide squads and missing persons unit for 15 of those years.

Annie North chief executive Julie Oberin and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan will also speak at the event.

Ms Oberin will update attendees on progress at the Annie North Women’s Crisis Refuge Centre, which is under construction.

The first sod of the best-practice cluster model women’s refuge was turned in late 2015 after the Bendigo community campaigned for the project to be funded.

Ms Allan was proud the state government had supported the project, and was implementing each of the 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

But she said there was much more to be done. 

“It’s about making sure the resources are there when they are needed,” she said.

She said it was also important there was a sustained focus on prevention and education.

“It is about understanding some of the cultural contributions that go towards some people thinking violence against women is okay – it is never okay,” she said.

Entertainer and domestic violence survivor Colleen Hewett, who will perform at the high tea, was passionate about the need to built on the community’s understanding of the issue.

“A lot of people are scared to leave a situation because they don’t have enough money… they don’t even have friends,” she said.

She encouraged people to seek the support of services like Annie North if they needed help.

“Someone will pick you up and wrap you up, especially a place like this mob,” she said.

The High Tea runs from 2pm – 5pm on July 9. 

Tickets cost $75 and include afternoon tea and a selection of beverages. 

They are available from the Bendigo Stadium website or by calling 5440 6214. 

The High Tea is presented by the Hindsight Club, with support from the WIN Network, Bendigo Stadium, Gold Central Victoria, and the Bendigo Advertiser.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.