‘Yarning Place’ set up as refuge for women
THE vision by a leading women’s advocate to create a safe, nurturing and judgmentfree respite area for at-risk women to spend time and have a “yarn” has been realised.
The Women’s Yarning Place, launched yesterday, was the creation of community program creator Yolonde Entsch.
Mrs Entsch wanted to provide a supportive place for victims of domestic violence to spend time away from potentially dangerous situations.
The Yarning Place has been set up in the Cairns Villa and Leisure Park at Manoora to provide a safe place for women most at danger of falling victim to abuse.
“(The park) is a war zone. For a lot of people that live here it’s a horrendous place at night time,” she said.
“There are women that are being abused. I heard a story about a woman who was tied to her bed for two days with her toddler in the room.
“I wanted to create an area that women could come, that was safe and they could just be whatever they wanted to be and do whatever they wanted to do without worrying about what was happening in the outside world.”
Mrs Entsch said park owner Tony Breuer had invested close to $40,000 in the building used for the Women’s Yarning Place.
The Wheels of Wellness medical outreach service would operate from the space and it’s hoped other providers will come on-board to deliver services for female residents.
“I really would like someone to fund a women’s wellbeing co-ordinator, so that then they are here all the time and can start assessing the needs of the women and families in the park and then reaching out to those service providers,” she said.
“I see healing circles that are run by professionals. You have domestic violence, you have got mental health. I just want to help those people.”
Park resident for the past six months Josie Tucker said it was a great idea.
“You see a lot of things happen (in the park) it’s a bit rough and can be dangerous. I do hear a lot but try to keep to myself,” she said.
Cairns MP Michael Healy said the Women’s Yarning Place was an “outstanding initiative”.
“There is no doubt about it, it’s an important part of ensuring women’s safety and women’s health is provided for here,” he said.
“The state provides hundreds of millions of dollars in a range of areas where we assist … and we will be looking into this further to see where we can be of assistance.”
To help out at The Yarning Place email Ms Entsch at yolonde@ewec.com.au.