About Us

OPERATIONS OF FINLAYSON HOUSE

Goldfields Women’s Refuge, also known as Finlayson House, was established in 1979 and runs a dual stream service providing crisis accommodation to women, with or without children under 18 years of age, and in recent years has expanded to offer Domestic Violence Outreach Services.

We also provide assistance and safe accommodation to those at risk of homelessness due to family or domestic violence or other forms of crisis. We operate 24 hours, 7 days a week.

We are the only purpose-built facility to provide client supported crisis accommodation. Finlayson House is a 6 Bedroom shared living facility, when at 100% capacity sleeps 26–28 people. Rooms are configured so that they can sleep families, or the bedroom space can be shared comfortably. We also have a transitional unit that comprises of two bedrooms. All under 24 hour monitored surveillance.

We live by our core values and empower people to make empowering changes to move towards effective healthy lives while following best practice guidelines and regulatory requirements within the sector.

Services Provided:

In its current capacity, Finlayson House provides crisis accommodation to women, with or without children (under 18 years of age) and in recent years has expanded to offer Domestic Violence Outreach and Mobile Domestic Violence Services.

Finlayson House is funded for operational costs by the Department of Communities

FINLAYSON HOUSE HISTORY

The first Goldfield’s Women’s Refuge was established in 1979 and officially opened on the 1^st August. The house was named in honour of Mrs Peggy Finlayson, who along with her husband Ray and a dedicated group of supporters, raised the funds to purchase the land, including the one-time doctor’s surgery and residence that would eventually become the first refuge.

The newly constructed refuge was a joint venture between the Goldfields Women’s Refuge Association and the Ministry of Housing and Works of the Government of Western Australia. In addition, the project received generous support from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Sir Lindsay Clark Trust Fund (WMC Resources Ltd) and the Lotteries Commission.

The building was designed by Susan Swain (BSD Consultants) and built by Duwal Constructions.

During this period of time, the Goldfields Women’s Refuge Association received a donation of an estate from Mr Charles Ayers to support their cause.

On Saturday 20^th April 2002, the Goldfields Women’s Refuge was re-opened after relocating to its current location, by Sheila McHale, Minister for Community Development; Women’s Affairs.

The redevelopment project was managed by the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission under the direction of the Goldfields Women’s Refuge Board of Directors.