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Herstory

Herstory

In 1980, a group of local women created a safe place for women and children affected by domestic violence in the community.

Now, more than 45 years later, Liberty provides a broad range of specialist domestic violence and homelessness support services.

This is our proud history (we prefer to call it our ‘herstory’) of four decades of working to secure funding to provide crisis accommodation and support services for women and children in need.

1980

Temporary refuge established in a Council property on Savoy St, Port Macquarie.

1983

Relocated from Savoy St to another Council property on Murray St, Port Macquarie (Killara House).

1984

Department of Housing purchased a property for the Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge after Council requested vacation of Murray St property.

1985

Department of Community Services provided funding under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program to provide support to women and children escaping domestic violence.

1988

Department of Housing approved funds for the purchase of land and design and construction of a new refuge. Block of land purchased.

1990

A design for the new Refuge was accepted by the Management Committee.

1994

Relocated to a new purpose-built refuge. Department of Housing provided the existing property as medium-term accommodation for the client group.

2007

Innovation & Investment Funding Project.

2009

Funded under Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services Program to deliver new a project, Community Partnerships Against Domestic and Family Violence (CPADFV).

Opened our Outreach Centre – Liberty Cottage on Gordon St.

2015

Successfully tendered to pilot Men’s Behaviour Change Program – Engage2Change Mid North Coast along with Kempsey Family Support Services and Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services.

2017

Organisation purchased property in Table St for relocation of Liberty Cottage.

2018

Liberty Cottage relocated to specially renovated premises in Table St.

Organisation launched its new name, Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, and refreshed logo.

2019

Fixed Address Men’s Behaviour Change program launched, with Women NSW Innovation Funding.

Established Joining the Dots Aboriginal service providers network.

Winner of the Greater Port Macquarie Community Services Award.

2020

Achieved full registration with the Practice Standards for Men’s Behaviour Change Program.

Implemented Adapted Service Delivery Model to ensure service delivery continuation during COVID-19 and achieved COVID Safe registration.

Achieved Australian Service Excellence Standards Accreditation.

2021

Launched Safe Pets emergency accommodation for pets at Galbaanbaa.

Launched Ngathuwa Connecting to Culture program for Aboriginal women and children.

2022

Announced as Winner of Community and Social Services category in the 2021 Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards and Outstanding Community Organisation Finalist in the 2022 Business NSW Mid North Coast Awards.

Launched Liberty Links Mobile Outreach Service.

Rebranded Liberty to complement commissioned artwork, Galbaan Wakulda, by Birrbay artist Angela Marr-Grogan.

2023

Winner Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards – Business of the Year, Outstanding Community Organisation, Community and Social Services.

Winner Mid North Coast Business Awards – Business of the Year, Outstanding Community Organisation, Employer of Choice (under 20), Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion.

Secured funding for Safer Men Safer Families program.

Reaccredited with the Australian Service Excellence Standards

2024

Opened Djiyaganbaa (Sister Place) Core & Cluster refuge. 

Launched Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

2025

Launched Liberty Store & Wellbeing Hub concept and the Pathways to Healing program.

Winner of the 2026 NSW Homelessness Sector Achievement Award – Learning Champion (Team)

Liberty Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Service
Phone: 02 6583 2155
22 Table St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
PO Box 431, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Email: [email protected]

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Liberty
Lib. er. ty. Noun
the quality or state of being free

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Liberty acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this country and its waters. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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