The facility has 11 rooms, and a strong focus on helping the children who stay there to find some normalcy as their mother gets the assistance she needs.

Yumba-Meta works closely with the local State Schools to return children who’ve been living with domestic or family violence to regular schooling. The Zephyr Foundation provides the children with Buddy Bags, comprising of blankets, drink bottles, lunch boxes and stationery to help them feel safe, cared for, and enthusiastic about education.

Often, Yumba-Meta staff will drop-off and pick-up children from school, to give their mother time to attend appointments with the courthouse, the police, and any other services she may require.

As Townsville’s only shelter that provides accommodation for family violence, Flora House’s services are in high demand and severely under-funded.

Referrals can be made through

• DV Connect
  on 1800 811 81
• Women’s Center
  on 4775 7555
• Self-Referral
  on 4723 5611