Congratulations to Halcyon and Project Director Marie Cone who have been inducted onto Queensland's inaugural Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll in recognition of the Bella's Sanctuary housing initiative.
The new government program recognises individuals, community organisations, small businesses and corporates doing their part to raise awareness and take action against domestic and family violence.
In collaboration with DVConnect and listed property group Mirvac, and with the help of our many suppliers, Halcyon designed, built, funded and then donated the $1.6 million purpose-built home in August 2019, which has since provided a safe haven for many South-East Queensland women and children.
Today, Bella's Sanctuary is owned and run by DVConnect, Queensland's largest DFV crisis response service.
The initiative was the first time in Australia that a corporate and a not-for-profit organisation teamed up to design and build a brand-new residence that addressed the alarming rate of domestic violence through a housing initiative.
Differing from a shelter, Bella's Sanctuary is a medium-term accommodation residence where women and children can stay for up to 12 months. This gives them time to rebuild their lives, heal from the trauma they have experienced and start their new life, free from violence.
Halcyon Project Director Marie Cone said it was an honour to be inducted onto Queensland's inaugural Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll alongside individuals and companies providing incredible work.
"On behalf of Halcyon, we would like to congratulate our fellow inductees who are providing life-changing work to end domestic and family violence in our Queensland community," Marie said.
"Bella's Sanctuary is a testament to the positive change the construction and building industry can have in the fight to end domestic and family violence.
"We are truly honoured to have been part of such a life-changing initiative for Queensland families, and we will continue to raise awareness that sends a clear message that any violence – emotional, financial, and physical – will not be tolerated.
"For the 90 suppliers and contractors who volunteered their services to the project, being part of a cause to help end domestic and family violence was an eye-opening experience that sparked a conversation that's usually not spoken about on work sites.
"Everyone involved in Bella's Sanctuary has been deeply inspired by the vision and the idea that the community itself can work on solving this problem, and we hope to undertake further developments of this kind across Australia in the future.”
The Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence officially opened Bella's Sanctuary in August 2019.
Through fundraising efforts, Halcyon home owners and employees donated more than $50,000 to furnish the home and continue to fundraise to assist DVConnect in running Bella's Sanctuary.
From the outside, Bella's Sanctuary looks like a duplex. On the inside, it comprises of five beautiful self-contained apartments with two one-bedroom, two two-bedroom - one with disability access - and one three-bedroom unit all fully furnished and fitted out within a peaceful broader community. It is located at an undisclosed address in South-East Queensland.
If you need support, please contact DVConnect on 1800 811 811.
