Thanks to the Red Rose Foundation

13 September 2024

Today we saw a great tribute to the women and children who have been victim to gender-based violence. The unveiling of a RED BENCH at The Empire served as a reminder of the issue of domestic violence (DV) in our community.


The red shoes on display symbolise the lives lost to this crime. Protea Place Women's Support Centre is proud to participate in the RED SHOE campaign, encouraging the community to donate their red shoes. Whether they're already red or need a fresh coat of paint, every pair represents a step towards raising awareness.


On November 25th, the collected red shoes will be displayed in a moving installation, honouring women and children whose lives were cut short. This visual will serve to start conversations, empathy, and actions.


Inspired by the Mexican artist Elina Chauvet's "Los Zapatos Rojos" this project has gained global recognition. Communities around the whole world come together to think about victims of gender-based violence and demand justice by bringing out hundreds of pairs of red shoes to important locations.


In Australia, Red Shoes Australia has played a significant role in showing impact of DV. The initial installation in Western Australia featured 392 pairs of shoes, representing the number of women murdered in the country between 2015 and 2020. This year, the campaign is happening in Kalgoorlie-Boulder to raise awareness for change.


By donating your red shoes and sharing this message, you can help the voices of victims and survivors of gender-based violence. Together, we can create a safer future.

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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