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Organisations we support

Queen Victoria Women’s Centre

In 2006–07 the Victorian Government allocated ongoing funding to the

Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. The Funding and Service Agreement (FSA) between the Victorian Government and the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre was signed on 1 September 2006 for both operational and capital works. Work undertaken in 2006 to bring the building up to contemporary standards is now completed.

The Queen Victoria Women’s Trust 2008-09 Annual Report is now available. Please contact Julienne Stephens on (03) 9208 3221 if you would like to receive a copy.

Queen Victoria Women's Centre

The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Act 1994 provides for up to 12 Trust members to manage the centre. Current members include:

Established in 1994, the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre is housed in the former Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, a historic site with a strong connection to women’s rights. Rooms and facilities are available for hire and an exhibition space supports women artists.

The centre’s InfoHub website provides women with an online gateway to information, resources and support and attracted more than 27,607 visitors per month in 2007-08. More than 4200 women participated in events, training and programs at the centre.

The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, in partnership with the Government of Victoria, is hosting four

Women and Money seminars to equip women with the know-how to secure their financial future. These free seminars are held in the Centre’s heritage building.

The Shilling Wall, situated in the sheltered public space at the Lonsdale Street entrance, acknowledges and celebrates the many and varied contributions and achievements of women. At present it comprises two glass panels honouring 304 Victorian women.

Tributes to the Shilling Wall have created the Shilling Fund which gives the centre further capacity to initiate and leverage projects that benefit women and their organisations. Further information can be gained

here.

WIRE – Women’s Information

Located at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre,

WIRE – Women’s Information provides valuable information services to women through a collaborative effort across two departments – the

Department of Planning and Community Development and the

Department of Human Services.

The Office of Women’s Policy provides annual funding for WIRE’s Walk In Centre (WIC), located on the ground floor of the Queen Victoria Women's Centre at 210 Lonsdale St. The Department of Human Services funds the telephone information service and administers a Funding and Service Agreement (FSA) with WIRE.

This collaboration allows WIRE to deliver a range of information services to women (including rural women) via telephone, Internet, e-mail, and drop in “face to face” support. In 2007-08 the WIC saw an increase in the number of women using the service to over 5,500 contacts for the year.

As an adjunct to the information service, WIRE conducts free seminars on a range of topical issues for women. Recent topics have included, ‘immigrant women and domestic violence', body image and sexuality and ‘supporting people with eating disorders’ for over 130 women.

WIRE also undertakes research to better support women and to advocate for change on their behalf in the broader community. Recent research has included, women and problem gambling, women’s financial literacy and work family balance. Information sheets are available

here.

WIRE relies on volunteers to provide a helpline service for Victorian women. All WIRE volunteers are required to complete

WIRE’s training program.

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