- $2.4 million grant provided to OVIS Community Services for refurbishment and expansion of Pat Thomas Refuge
- For more than 30 years, Pat Thomas Refuge has provided safe accommodation and 24/7 support for women and their children escaping family and domestic violence in the Peel region
- Builder Access Without Barriers Pty Ltd appointed to deliver refurbishments
- Works to expected to be completed in mid-2026
The State Government has provided a $2.4 million Community Housing Grant to OVIS Community Services to fund a complete refurbishment and expansion of the Pat Thomas family and domestic violence refuge.
Refurbishment works at their Peel facility will see upgrades to the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry, the replacement of flooring, additional security features and three new additional bedrooms to the current six-bedroom facility.
For more than 30 years, Pat Thomas Refuge has provided a trauma-informed 24-hour service that accommodates and supports women and their children escaping family and domestic violence.
The refurbishments will be delivered by builder Access Without Barriers Pty Ltd and are expected to be completed by mid-2026.
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"Our government continues to back the work of organisations like OVIS Community Services that provide accommodation for those escaping family and domestic violence.
"These refurbishments will extend the useful life of the accommodation and amenities offered at Pat Thomas so that they can continue to deliver their crucial, life-changing work.
"It will also expand the capacity of the refuge from six to nine bedrooms, supporting more women and children in the Peel region".
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Peel Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"Family and domestic violence has devastating impacts and providing safe, secure accommodation is a critical part of the support response.
"This investment ensures that more women and children in the Peel region have a safe place to go when they need it most."
As stated by Mandurah MLA Rhys Williams:
"This is a vital service in our community, and this investment into upgrades to the refuge will mean Pat Thomas can continue to play its critical role in supporting victims of domestic and family violence."
