Beryl has helped hundreds of women and children escape domestic violence. Photo: Unsplash.
On 15 March, Beryl Women Inc will mark a momentous occasion – its 50th anniversary.
This milestone represents not only half a century of advocacy and support for women and children escaping domestic violence but also the resilience and growth of an organisation that’s been at the heart of the Canberra community since 1975.
Founded by the Canberra Women’s Liberation and the Women’s Electoral Lobby, Beryl began to provide a refuge for women in need.
Inspired by the establishment of Australia’s first women’s refuge, ‘Elsie’, in Sydney, a small committee of women took on the challenge of opening a similar space in Canberra.
What started as an idea soon became a reality in Adams Place, Watson, where Beryl Henderson – a pioneer in women’s rights – opened the doors of the refuge on International Women’s Day in 1975.
Since then, Beryl Women Inc has been a lifeline for countless women and children, offering more than just shelter but a safe space for recovery and renewal.
Over the past five decades, the organisation has evolved from a small collective staffed by volunteers to a robust service provider with dedicated paid staff, multiple properties, a mobile counselling service for children, specialist case management and a strong cultural safety charter.
Despite the progress, the organisation has faced its share of challenges, including significant funding cuts in 2013/14 that forced difficult decisions, including the redundancy of one of its valued case workers.
Yet Beryl has persevered, thanks to the unwavering dedication of its staff, some of whom have been with the organisation for decades.
Current CEO Robyn Martin, who has been with Beryl for 26 years – the longest of any employee – describes her work as an honour.
“The values of the organisation fit with my own personal values,” says Robyn.
“As an organisation that continually commits to stand beside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse women and children, Beryl’s values have only been strengthened by the women who have come before and will continue to come. It is an honour and a privilege to walk with these women and children when they are at their most vulnerable.”
As Beryl prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the organisation is pulling out all the stops to make the event truly special.
The event will be headlined by 2015 Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, a renowned advocate for raising awareness of family violence.
Rosie, whose own tragic experiences have fueled her activism, will share her story of resilience in a one-on-one interview with Louise Taylor, Australia’s first Indigenous woman appointed as a Supreme Court judge.
Together, they will bring attention to the ongoing crisis of domestic violence and discuss the critical role that services like Beryl play in supporting survivors.
The event will also feature a panel discussion with Beryl’s original collective members and current staff, including CEO Robyn Martin, reflecting on the organisation’s history and the impact it has had on the Canberra community.
Canberra favourite Sam Buckingham will perform live, sharing songs from her powerful album Dear John, which chronicles her own journey of healing from an abusive relationship.
Taking place at QT Canberra, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner and drinks, while absorbing stories and performances that highlight the importance of continuing to support survivors of domestic violence.
As Beryl looks to the future, the organisation remains steadfast in its mission.
“Ideally, we would love to work ourselves out of a job,” says the team.
“But the reality is that won’t happen anytime soon. The face of domestic violence is constantly changing. Beryl will continue to be flexible, adapting to new challenges like cyber abuse and coercive control while holding firm to our values.”
For anyone wishing to celebrate this incredible milestone, tickets for Beryl Women Inc’s 50th birthday dinner are available through Humanitix. Ticket sales close on 28 February
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