Wagga Women’s Health Centre president Vickie Burkinshaw and Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr were joined by supporters of the centre following the announcement it would receive $220,000 to continue its Men as Allies program. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Despite having its primary prevention funding cut midway through last year, the Wagga Wagga Women’s Health Centre has secured $220,000 to continue one of its most important programs.
Following the NSW Government’s announcement that the centre would be losing $600,000 in annual funding – used to provide educational programs that aim to prevent domestic violence – the Wagga Women’s Health Centre (WWHC) lobbied continuously for more than six months to regain even a portion of the lost funding.
After several meetings with government officials and members of State Parliament since July last year, including NSW Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Jodie Harrison, the WWHC has announced just over a third of their official funding has been restored.
The $220,000 will be used to continue delivering its Men as Allies program, which sees WWHC representatives work with men and boys to promote positive behaviours involving women while also challenging gender norms.
WWHC president Vicki Brukinshaw said securing the funding had taken a lot of hard work from many in the community, but said the funding cut should never have happened.
“When we lost the funding, we were absolutely gobsmacked,” she said.
“All indications were from the government’s own reports, at that time, that our funding would be continued.
“Thankfully, through the community, through the support of the community, through the support of Dr Joe and his team, we weren’t going to take no for an answer.”
Ms Burkinshaw said she would like to see more money added to the states’ domestic violence prevention funding pool and a greater focus on areas with higher violence rates.
“Reminder to all of our parliamentarians that just because we’re on this side of the Great Dividing Range doesn’t mean that we don’t matter,” she said.
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said that while the funding was a fraction of what the centre received previously, it did allow for the centre to continue its work educating men.
“As a member of Wagga’s Men’s Consultative Group, I’ve seen first-hand how giving knowledge to men and boys can make them part of the solution instead of being the problem, and I’m delighted that the Wagga Women’s Health Centre can now continue its highly effective work in this important area,” he said.
“The fact that funding was lost last year dismayed many people, but it was heartening to see our community rally in support of a funding application that enables the continuation of the centre’s work.
“Thank you to everyone who lent their voice to advocacy for this funding package, and thank you also to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Jodie Harrison for recognising the remarkable efforts of the women’s health centre in this field.”
Acting WWHC director Julie Milsom said the funding would be used to work alongside community groups with strong male ties, in an effort to educate men and boys.
“The Men as Allies program was born following a men’s leadership forum back in July 2024,” she said.
“From that forum, we have developed a men’s consultation group which contains a group of very committed community leaders, business leaders and political leaders.
“We believe it is important to continue the momentum that we had working with men wanting to see change in our community around domestic violence.
“This will be done by talking and demonstrating positive relationships in male-focused community groups and promoting positive male role models.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
