Womenspace is a place for women to come together in an inclusive community built on diversity, kindness and respect.
Our building is a beautiful venue for hire, offering activities, workshops, meetings and special events. We share a place for women to reflect, regenerate, personally and spiritually. A place to find friends, to connect and share. We are a solely independent women’s organisation with no affiliation to an external body.
‘HERSTORY’
In 1997 Womenspace was formed as an Incorporated Association by a small group of eight women who dreamed of creating a space where women could connect, share their stories and explore their spirituality.
Their planning culminated in an open meeting in September 1997, which was attended by 68 women. At this meeting the women agreed on one theme: ‘a space where women could reflect together as women, their life patterns, and above all, their spirituality’. The Sisters of Mercy responded to their requests with financial support.
Womenspace was established with the support and hard work of many women, and in August 1999, a property comprising an old bakery and shop in Homebush Road, Kedron, was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy for the Womenspace. After renovations, it was officially opened in November 2000.
In 2009, the old building was declared structurally unsound. Womenspace then had to move. Undaunted, they continued to hold events in rented spaces and public libraries.
In 2011, The Jani Haenke Charitable Trust offered to purchase a property for Womenspace so we could again have a permanent home. They were fortunate to find a suitable place in Sandgate in 2013. The property was an old two story Queenslander comprised of two flats and an adjoining shop. The current site suited the needs of Womenspace, providing am income and the room to grow the vision of a community for Women.
The drive and determination of the 2013 members of Womenspace generated an upgrade to the property to incorporate a downstairs event space for workshops, meetings and activities. The downstairs area that we meet in today was simply a dirt floor and the garden was wild and uncared for. Womenspace members continued to develop the dream, through sheer hard work and generous support – they cleared, enclosed downstairs, tiled the floor and wove magic into the space. The gardens were planted and nurtured and Womenspace became the relaxing, beautiful and welcoming place it is today. In early 2019 the downstairs area, including full kitchen, downstairs disability toilet, shower and second toilet, was finally complete.
Thanks to a successful grant application in 2019-20 to the Gambling Community Benefit Funds, in 2021 Womenspace completed further works of external repairs and painting, and installation of an insulated ceiling in the downstairs space. We are in the process of preparing repairs and additional concrete garden pathways in 2022, together with a mural on our newly repainted house.
In September 2022 the Womenspace – a Not-For-Profit organisation that was built and is further developed by generations of dedicated volunteers – will celebrate the 25th Anniversary.
We welcome all women of any age, all cultures, all skills and diverse backgrounds.
Our value is in connecting with community and sharing activities and events that inspire and enlighten our lives.
Previous
Next