Category: News

Main Image: Amethyst Winkelbauer, 11, had her artwork displayed alongside luminaries including Ben Quilty and Ken Done.  (ABC News: Jak Rowland)

Four years ago, when Jenna Dufty was homeless and living in motels with her eight children, she found refuge at a local community centre.

Her family were provided breakfast and art classes, and eventually other services to get them back on their feet at the Barnardos-run Bundaleer Community Centre in Warrawong south of Wollongong.

She has since moved into a home, found full-time work and begun studying in the aged-care sector — achievements she credits to her time at Bundaleer.

“It was a long year but [the centre] was there for me through it all,” she said. “They’ve been an absolute rock helping me with my kids.”

The cost-of-living crisis has led to record demand for Bundaleer’s services, with the centre unable to keep up with the rising costs.

It was hoped a charity art exhibition featuring some of the country’s most celebrated artists could help change that.

“If this place wasn’t here, a lot of people would go without,” Ms Dufty said.

Jenna Dufty says Bundaleer Community Centre helped her through homelessness and financial hardship.  (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)

‘Minuscule’ budget

One of Bundaleer’s key programs which distributes food parcels and provides information, advice and referrals saw a five-fold increase from 2024 to 2025.

“Cash is very tight,” centre manager Melissa Andrews said. “We do what we do on a minuscule budget and we do as much as we can with that money.”

Of the 190 social homes in the Warrawong estate, Ms Andrews said about 135 residents entered Bundaleer’s doors each week seeking all kinds of support.

Melissa Andrews says demand for Bundaleer’s services has never been greater and is tough on a tight budget.  (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)

“We’ve been spending a lot of time in the neighbourhoods finding out what residents need and want,” Ms Andrews said.

Ms Andrews said competition for funding across the sector was fierce.

“It’s become really hard to get fundraising dollars … and we’re chasing more resources because we really want to be able to deliver what the community is asking for.”

Barnardos says the centre was established decades ago for residents living in a social housing estate nearby.  (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)

She feared some programs would have to be cut if fresh funding was not readily available.

“That can really undermine people’s trust in us,” she said.

Ms Dufty said thanks to Bundaleer, she had noticed profound changes in her children — particularly her 11-year-old daughter Amethyst Winkelbauer, whose creative flair has been nurtured as part of its art program.

“She’s definitely bloomed a lot and her paintings are incredible,” she said.

“It’s good to have somewhere for her to go that doesn’t cost me money because a lot of the art classes were asking like $200 plus.”

Quilty, Done donated artworks

Winkelbauer’s artworks have featured alongside famous Australian artists Ben Quilty and Ken Done over the weekend as part of Bundaleer’s charity art exhibition at Sydney’s Botanic Garden.

Each artwork shared a message on the importance of a stable home.

The final fundraising figure could climb, as some exhibited pieces are yet to find a new home.  (ABC News: Jak Rowland)

Ms Andrews said the $65,000 raised would help keep Bundaleer’s services running and boost staff numbers.

“It’ll keep us afloat and plug some gaps while year-to-year funding continues,” she said. “It’s incredibly special and quite overwhelming to see how generous the artists were for a community they don’t know.”

Winkelbauer joined her mother and some of her peers on a trip to the exhibition during its final weekend.

“Seeing [Amethyst’s] artwork there was just incredible. I’m so proud of her,” Ms Dufty said.

“She wouldn’t have had that opportunity without Bundaleer.”

This article first appeared on ABC News here

Barnardos Australia welcomes the NSW Government’s plan to scrap “good character” as a mitigating factor during sentencing, saying the change will help prevent the retraumatisation of victim-survivors.

Under the proposed changes, convicted offenders will not be allowed to rely on “good character” evidence to reduce their sentence. The legislation is expected to be introduced this week.

Barnardos Australia said the reform recognised how difficult it can be for victim-survivors to hear the offender who hurt them praised in court.

“Victim-survivors should not have to sit through a sentence hearing and listen to the person who caused them harm being described as a ‘good person’. That can reinforce the idea that reputation matters more than violence,” Barnardos Program Manager Mark Hoare said.

“The last thing victim-survivors need after bravely enduring the grueling court process is listening to the person who harmed them being described as a good person so their sentence is minimised.

“We see this reform as a practical step toward a more trauma-informed justice system.

“These reforms are also critical for children, who are often treated as silent bystanders in domestic and family violence matters. They are not unaffected witnesses. They are victim-survivors in their own right, and witnessing abuse and violence can stay with them long after the incident has ended.

“By downplaying harm with a ‘good character’ discount, that can send a confusing message to children who are also victim-survivors rather than focusing on the harm which has been caused,” Mr Hoare said.

Barnardos Australia said while this was a positive step, it must be accompanied by a relentless commitment to continuing to take all possible action to reduce unacceptable rates of domestic and family violence.

Barnardos has long been advocating for prevention first investments that intervenes early and stops harm from occurring to begin with, child-focused and trauma-informed counselling support for child victim-survivors, and safe housing for those who are leaving unsafe environments.

“These reforms need to be complemented by more action targeting housing and financial security. Too many parents are forced to make impossible choices because leaving an unsafe situation could mean facing insecure housing or homelessness. People shouldn’t be faced with that choice,” Mark Hoare said.

“We know domestic and family violence is the most common reason for people seeking homelessness support. We need to urgently invest in services designed to keep families safe, and prevent them from spiraling into poverty, which can have life-long effects for a child.

This article first appeared in the Mirage News here

Because of you, more children have been kept safe, and more families have been supported through challenging times. Your generosity has helped us deliver early intervention and prevention programs, support carers and families, as well as advocate for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Whether you attended an event, shared our message, volunteered your time or contributed financially, you played an important role in creating positive change and we are so grateful. Together, lets continue to create safer environments, stronger families and brighter futures.

Thank you.

The Board of Barnardos Australia (Barnardos) today announces the appointment of Dr Kate Alexander as the new CEO to lead the organisation in its next phase of delivery for children.

“On behalf of the Board of Barnardos, I am pleased to announce our new CEO, Dr Kate Alexander” said Ms Liesel Wett OAM, Chair of Barnardos.

“Kate brings to Barnardos strong experience in child protection and human services, with over 30 years’ experience in executive leadership, as well as direct service delivery and advocacy. She has been an Executive Director with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, and led significant reform across the sector, always looking for better outcomes for children and young people,” said Ms Wett.

“We are confident she will build on our emphasis on child-centred, evidence-based practices, adding robust strategic insight. She has a strong track record in child protection, people-first leadership, and a deep commitment to providing access to essential services and support for vulnerable children, young people and families, so that they can thrive,” Ms Wett said.

Dr Alexander’s career highlights include establishing the NSW Office of the Senior Practitioner, which included Child Quality Assurance, the Aboriginal Culture in Practice Unit, Psychological and Clinical Services, Disability Support and Advocacy, and Practice Support units. In addition to this, Kate has supported child protection work for other Australian states and territories. This includes her review, Trust in Culture, of the South Australian system in 2022.

Kate has a PhD from Melbourne University, where her research investigated the attitudes of the child protection workforce toward domestic violence, and in 2019, was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to family and community services in NSW.

“I am delighted to accept the role as CEO of Barnardos Australia and look forward to leading the organisation into the next stage of important work with children, young people and families, building on the successes Barnardos has delivered to date, and will face head on the challenges we will face in the future,” Kate said.

“I am excited to continue the work led by Deirdre Cheers over the past ten years, in ensuring children have safe and secure homes. Barnardos has a strong reputation when it comes to service provision and care of children, and I am pleased to work with the leadership of the organisation and employees to develop the strategic direction for Barnardo’s future. I am also eager to work collaboratively with both NSW and ACT and in fact all governments in supporting them to achieve their plans in the future for children,” she said.

“The Barnardos Board is thrilled Kate is joining us as CEO and is confident she will continue to strengthen our mission to ensure that every child that needs care right across our nation can reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment. We look forward to working with Kate when she joins us in the new year to advance the critical work done through the organisation with children, young people and families in need,” said Ms Wett.

Ms Liesel Wett OAM
Chair
Barnardos Australia

We’re so proud to share that one of our incredible Temporary Family Carers, Mischelle McCallum, has been named a finalist for Westfield Local Heroes at Westfield Penrith!

For the past six years, Mischelle and her husband Garry have opened their hearts and home to children in need of short-term care. From creating stability for children who’ve experienced multiple placement breakdowns to mentoring new carers and advocating for families, Mischelle’s dedication goes far beyond her role.

Now, she has the chance to receive a $20,000 grant to continue supporting children and families in our community — but she needs your vote!

🗳️ Voting closes 8 September.
👉 Click the link to register your vote: https://www.westfield.com.au/penrith/news/2bxOyDltfpO2XNWmpDzIaC/local-heroes-2025

Every vote brings us one step closer to ensuring more children experience safety, stability and a loving home. 💚

It’s hard to imagine children homeless in a country like Australia. But the reality is, more than 77,000 children require homelessness support services each year*.  At Barnardos we see it every day. Families sleeping in cars. Single mothers camping in caravan parks. Children bouncing between overcrowded living rooms, not knowing where they’ll sleep tomorrow. These are not isolated cases, they are the new normal for far too many families.