Important Update: Protea Place Warwick Pilot Program

24 June 2024

As the 12 month pilot program of the Warwick Protea Place site draws to a close we have made the decision to wind up the program in its current form.


You can read the full pilot report via our PDF on this link:

Warwick Pilot Report 2024
Protea Place Warwick

The pilot did exactly what we needed, it demonstrated the need for and assessed the viability in the absence of government funding to provide opportunities for alternate approaches.


These decisions are not made lightly and we have worked hard to ensure a legacy of support to vulnerable women in the Warwick & Southern Downs Region remains. Very importantly all remaining funds and resources WILL REMAIN IN WARWICK FOR WARWICK! 


We are extremely happy to announce that specific funding for housing support for domestic & family violence has been allocated to the Warwick region through Domestic Violence Action Centre who will not only continue their vital existing services in Warwick but will be working on growing additional support in the near future.


While the final outcome might look different, the main aim of ensuring support for women in the region was always at the forefront. 

  • Over 300 women assisted
  • A beautiful space generously created by the community will remain as a legacy and continue to be a safe haven for women in need
  • Community support and donations that will continue to impact women to get their lives back on track after a difficult time
  • Local staff are to be commended for their unwavering commitment and work and the lives they have changed through the PP Model


We have made every effort to contact supporters and donors this afternoon however if you would like to speak directly with Protea Place please email president@protea.org.au or ceo@protea.org.au or treasurer@protea.org.au.


We are incredibly happy that our efforts have secured ongoing support and awareness in the Warwick community beyond the pilot. We trust the community will get behind the Domestic Violence Action Centre as they continue to provide much needed specialist DFV support to the community.

"We thank each and every one of you for your support to date and your care and understanding at this difficult time."


Protea Place

A man and a woman are standing next to each other in front of a building.

Important Update: Louise Hunt

22 April 2025
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we, the Protea Place team, try to articulate the profound sadness and grief we feel at the loss of our beautiful friend, Louise Hunt. Today, standing alongside Mayor Geoff McDonald , we struggled to find words adequate to express the devastation that has gripped our community. The raw emotion and visible distress of our Mayor spoke volumes about the impact Louise had on everyone who knew her.

Thanks to the Toowoomba Community

15 April 2025
MASSIVE SHOUTOUT: Celebrating Our Amazing Local Supporters! Today, we want to shine a light on the incredibly generous and supportive local businesses who are the backbone of Protea Place, helping us make our everyday operations possible. Many of these wonderful businesses have been with us since we opened our doors in 2019 and continue to stand alongside us in unwavering support of our community. From having 100% of our rent covered by the incredible TUFF Australia , to the beautiful complimentary floral arrangements provided by Floral Image Ipswich & Darling Downs , every single contribution is deeply valued and treasured.
A group of women are posing for a picture on a balcony.

Thanks to Lou's Place

8 April 2025
Huge thanks to Lou's Place ! Six years ago, in our early days of dreaming and building Protea Place, we journeyed to Sydney to visit the incredible Lou's Place . It was the closest model we could find to the vision we held, a beacon of hope in action for vulnerable women. We spent a day surrounded by kindred spirits – women utterly devoted to creating a better world. We spoke the same language, shared the same unwavering determination, and knew we had found our tribe. [ Link to ABC Compass story about Lou's Place ] Lou's Place generously shared their invaluable knowledge, learnings, and insights from their many years of incredible work. While six years have brought changes – a move to a new home in Redfern and the natural evolution of staff – the bond forged that day remains a cherished part of Protea Place's history. Amanda D, Jacqui, and Amanda T made that crucial trip possible six years ago, allowing the Toowoomba Women's Collective to learn from Lou's Place's 20 years of impactful work. We continue to admire your vital work in providing a safe and non-judgmental space for women in crisis. Thank you for your pioneering spirit and for showing us what's possible!