Allawah Cottage

 

Jobs Australia Enterprises Ltd (JAE) have been assisting people in the New England and Northwest for over 31 years. This includes over 2000 people per year seeking employment and over 2300 Pacific Islanders in seasonal work.

Through this work, JAE recognised there are times in Gunnedah where women have relied on the good nature of accommodation businesses to take in victims of domestic violence and that this has often been very short term and due to the lack of a suitable alternative, these victims have found themselves back in the violent environment from which they escaped. This further exposes them and their children to violence.
 

The JAE board and particularly the CEO Nigel Barlow and Deputy CEO Gavin Kay had a vision to assist women, children, and their pets to escape domestic violence and provide them with crisis accommodation in the Gunnedah community and surrounds.

Having the crisis accommodation available right here in Gunnedah became a priority to provide a safe haven and a better outcome for victims of domestic violence. Victims of domestic violence often do not leave the household for several reasons including not having a safe, supportive environment for themselves and their children to go to at short notice.

To bring this vision to fruition for the Gunnedah community, Jobs Australia Enterprises purchased a property that was demolished in 2020. With a grant from Stronger Country Communities, a new, purpose-built crisis accommodation known as Allawah Cottage was completed in 2021.

The house has been designed to ensure the highest level of safety for our community’s most vulnerable women and children. Thanks to the strong support of the Gunnedah community and over 500 signatures and 25 letters of support, sponsors, grants all funds raised go toward running the crisis accommodation year after year.

 

We continue to support women, children, and pets after they leave Allawah cottage and help with furniture and household needs when things are tough for a single mum.

 

Allawah cottage has had 100% capacity since opening and unfortunately, we cannot help everyone, but we do assist with other accommodation such as a motel room or transport to another town.

 

We are now fundraising to build the second cottage on site a transportable two-bedroom home from Austam Tamworth for $240,000.00 we have raised $30,000.00 so far.

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Our fundraising has included 2 Balls, 2 High teas, a Golf day and our merchandise on Instagram Allawah.cottage.gunnedah . This fundraising has paid for a double garage, driveway, dog kennels and cat/ bunny cage.This year we are very excited to have the Blackville markets and the Gunnedah Race Day on the 7th December.

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Learn more about Allawah Cottage here

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Blackville Public School

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Blackville Public School is a geographically isolated school located on rich farming land in the Liverpool Plains. The current enrolment of 9 students are drawn from the village and nearby farming properties. The school has a history of excellence producing confident, well rounded young people who have gone on to achieve great things. It aims to nurture lifelong learners who are never disadvantaged by their isolation. Blackville Public School is committed to providing a personalised and quality education within an inclusive and supportive environment. The school motto ‘Strive to Achieve’ is a belief that encompasses academic work, sporting successes and personal growth, all of which reflect 21st century learning.

 

The funds received from the BAMD enable the employment of a second staff member four days a week which reduces class size and ensures explicit quality teaching and learning addressing stage appropriate outcomes for our students.

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Learn more about Blackville Public School at their website.

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