Bundaberg local Lyne Booth has won a prestigious Elsie Award for her commitment to keeping the refuge movement alive.
The Elsie Awards acknowledge the unsung women who keep refuges running and Lyne was one of 50 award recipients selected from across the country to mark 50 years of women's refuges in Australia.
Lyne is CEO of EDON Place Domestic and Family Violence Centre, a not-for-profit community based organisation providing specialist domestic and family violence support services in the Bundaberg and North Burnett Regions.
How does it feel for your work to be acknowledged with an award like this?
It is very humbling to have the important work that we do be recognised.
The awards marked 50 years of women’s refuges in Australia, what does it mean to you to be one of the 50 award recipients in acknowledgement of this important milestone?
I feel honoured and privileged to have been nominated and receive one of the awards for my staff, and my contribution in sustaining women’s refuges in Australia.
Can you tell us more about the EDON Place Domestic and Family Violence Centre and the work you do there?
EDON Place Domestic and Family Violence Centre was established in 1977 to assist and support women affected by domestic and/or family violence.
We started off as a women’s refuge and have grown [to] be the lead agency for domestic and family violence in Bundaberg and the North Burnett Region.
We provide assistance and support programs to children, young people, women and men.
EDON Place provides the provision of trauma-informed counselling, case management and capacity-building support to meet the ongoing needs of women and children who require assistance to achieve better health and well-being.
This includes safety planning, risk assessments and case planning to meet the women and children’s support needs.
The program sees staff and clients working in close collaboration to identify hopes and strengths and develop capability to achieve and identify each individual services users (primary caregiver and children’s) primary goals.
EDON Place understands the importance the Perpetrator Intervention Program, we seek to address the abusive behaviour of individuals who perpetrate domestic and family violence and provide them with opportunities to change.
The program is designed to assist each [participant] in the 16 week program to stop using violence and abuse in their relationships.
How did you first become involved in this type of work?
I have always had an interest in human services and social work and previously worked in the non-government and government sectors.
I commenced employment at EDON Place in 2011 in the position of Service Director, we had five staff members at that time.
We have grown so much over the last 13 years and now provide wrap around services to all family members affected by domestic and family violence.
We currently have 22 staff members who provide specialist services to those in need.
What would your advice be to people looking for help or support?
If you, or a member of your family, or a friend are affected by domestic and family violence please contact our service for assistance and support, we are there to help.
We encourage any individual experiencing domestic and family violence to reach out to EDON Place for support.
May marks Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month
EDON Place will host a candlelight ceremony on 1 May at 5.30 pm in the Bundaberg CBD and a Walk for Awareness on 24 May 24 from 7.15 am at Bywash Park.
