WHAT started as a list of signatures has now progressed to shovels in the ground and will soon become a safe space for local women, children and their pets.
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Members of the Gunnedah community - who have been the driving force behind the community-led initiative - gathered at the site of the Allawah Cottage domestic violence refuge today to mark the beginning of construction.
Jobs Australia's Tracey Reid has been a part of the journey from the beginning and said it was an "overwhelming" feeling to know the project is finally becoming a reality.
"Five years ago the board of Jobs Australia realised through their work in the New England North West that there's a huge need for women and children escaping domestic violence to have some type of help," she said.
"They were having clients come in that didn't have anywhere to go, but they weren't quite sure what the way to go was.
"So two years ago they employed me to research this and find out which direction was the best to take."
After six to eight months of research, Jobs Australia made the decision to provide crisis accommodation, and thanks to government grants and community fundraising initiatives, that idea is now close to becoming a practical solution.
Jobs Australia signed a contract with G.J. Gardner Homes to undertake the build last October, which is expected to take 22 weeks to complete.
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The organisation is hoping to continue to work with local community groups such as Homes North, Gunnedah Family Support and the Salvation Army to help women and children move on from difficult situations.
The ceremony on Wednesday was well attended by various community represenatives including Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Jamie Chaffey, councillor Murray O'Keefe, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and Gunnedah Police's Inspector Michael Wurth.
The total build cost is $240,000, with $196,314 allocated to the project from the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 3 in February 2020.
The Gunnedah community pulled together to raise the remaining funds, with a cheese and wine night, plant sale and ball notching up $36,000.
"That will go towards the double lockup garage, the driveway, and we're providing disability support so we had to put in a disability shower and bigger doorways," Ms Reid added.
The refuge - located at 42 Abbott Street next to Gunnedah Police Station - will also provide support to male victims of domestic violence through referrals to a program run by Centacare.