Media Release: Funding to Support Toowoomba’s Protea Place

24 September 2024

Premier Steven Miles has announced a $636,135 investment in Toowoomba’s Protea Place.


The funding amount is intended to support the essential service for one year of operations. The Queensland Labor Party has pledged to advocate for continued funding to be considered in next year's budget, should they be elected in October's state election.

View the Media Release PDF
Stephen Miles - QLD Premier

Who are Protea Place?

Based in Toowoomba, Protea Place assists vulnerable women in the Darling Downs. As the region’s only dedicated women’s support centre, Protea Place provides a critical service for women in need, offering essential services such as a daytime drop in dignity support along with an integrated model of housing and health support to vulnerable women.  


Importantly, Protea Place also refers women onto appropriate government agencies, when they present in times of crisis. Since 2023, Protea Place has provided more than 13,000 supports and services delivered across various needs categories, including:  

  • Brokerage and Emergency Relief: 1,687 services 
  • Dignity Services (clothing, laundry, showers, toiletries): 2,625 services 
  • Domestic and Family Violence Support: 889 services 
  • Health and Wellbeing: 4,663 services 
  • Housing Support: 763 services 
  • Meals: 2,581 


Quotes from Premier Steven Miles:

“I know the services Protea Place provides are critical to women in Toowoomba, so I have acted to provide this immediate funding. 

“Organisations like this are helping give dignity back to some of our most vulnerable community members, which matters. 

“I want to thank the advocates who have helped make this happen.” 


Quotes from Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath:

“We know women are more likely to be victims of domestic, family and sexual violence. 

“We know women aged over 55 years are the fastest growing cohort of people at risk of homelessness in the country. 

“We can’t let women slip through the cracks and that’s where an organisation like Protea Place comes in. 

“They provide a vital service to vulnerable women on the Darling Downs or refer them to the appropriate government funded service providers. 

“Helping organisations support local communities is something Labor governments can be relied upon, unlike the LNP which has historically cut funding for organisations who help those in need.” 


Quotes from Protea Place Founder and CEO Amanda Dalton:

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this vital funding to continue our work to vulnerable women in the Toowoomba Region. 

“This announcement lands on our 5th Birthday making it even more special. Our future without this funding was very unstable and this allows us to strengthen our work and place in the community. 

“We sincerely thank the Premier, Steven Miles and Attorney General Yvette D’ath for acknowledging the work and value of Protea Place with this funding and look forward to working with you all going forward.  

“Protea Place has grown from a need in the community and has only been possible to date due to the generous and unwavering support from our local community. 

“We thank each and every sponsor, donor and supporter who stood with us to create impact and achieve this incredible outcome.” 


Quotes from Protea Place President Megan O’Shannessy

“Our feeling of relief is overwhelming, knowing Protea Place can continue to support elderly vulnerable women into happy, sustainable homes in our community. 

“Just as we provide wrap around care services to our women so the community wraps their care around Protea Place.  

“Thank you to the Premier, Steven Miles and Attorney General Yvette D’ath. 

“Thank you to everyone who has cared.” 

A group of women are posing for a picture on a balcony.

Thanks to Lou's Place

8 April 2025
Huge thanks to Lou's Place ! Six years ago, in our early days of dreaming and building Protea Place, we journeyed to Sydney to visit the incredible Lou's Place . It was the closest model we could find to the vision we held, a beacon of hope in action for vulnerable women. We spent a day surrounded by kindred spirits – women utterly devoted to creating a better world. We spoke the same language, shared the same unwavering determination, and knew we had found our tribe. [ Link to ABC Compass story about Lou's Place ] Lou's Place generously shared their invaluable knowledge, learnings, and insights from their many years of incredible work. While six years have brought changes – a move to a new home in Redfern and the natural evolution of staff – the bond forged that day remains a cherished part of Protea Place's history. Amanda D, Jacqui, and Amanda T made that crucial trip possible six years ago, allowing the Toowoomba Women's Collective to learn from Lou's Place's 20 years of impactful work. We continue to admire your vital work in providing a safe and non-judgmental space for women in crisis. Thank you for your pioneering spirit and for showing us what's possible!
A logo for the avenues of highfields with two trees on it.

Thanks to the Avenues of Highfields

3 April 2025
A massive thank you to The Avenues of Highfields ! One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is transforming houses into safe and beautiful homes for women and children recovering from domestic and family violence. The Avenues of Highfields made a generous donation of stunning homewares and furniture from one of their display homes. This has allowed us to create a truly beautiful and healing environment for a family in need. We don't just furnish houses; we create spaces of healing, helping women and children get their lives back on track. And a special shoutout to our amazing Protea Place staff, Ash and Kat, who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life! We don't just furnish houses; we create spaces of healing!
A group of people are standing around a table cutting a cake.

Thanks to Harvey Norman Toowoomba

31 March 2025
A big thank you to Harvey Norman Toowoomba for hosting this important event We were honoured to join fellow awesome local charities It's a Bloke Thing Toowoomba, Toowoomba Hospice, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, LifeFlight, and Hope Horizons Inc. at the Harvey Norman community morning tea. It was a fantastic opportunity to chat with Paul Murray LIVE about the vital work of Protea Place and the URGENT NEED for Government funding just before the airing of Paul Murray Our Town: Toowoomba . Thank you for bringing our community together!
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