To mark the occasion the branch will hold a benefit night for local women’s refuge Jodie’s Place on Friday, July 31.

BPW Cessnock president Sheila Turnbull said it will be a special night in memory of Jodie Jurd, and a memorable one for Jodie’s Place.

“The refuge is struggling to keep open as a safe place for women experiencing domestic violence,” she said.

 “We feel that we will be giving them a present as they are much more in need than we are.

“This refuge is run by volunteers and receives no government funding. Local people are the main means of support.”

Jodie’s Place coordinator Paula Mudd said the organisation feels blessed to be the beneficiaries of the night and thanked the BPW for the opportunity.

“To be able to maintain the refuge we very often call on the community to assist us in keeping the doors open, and the community has heeded our calls and been very generous and we thank them all very much,” Ms. Mudd said.

Jodie’s Place opened in late 2013 and since then has accommodated and assisted 30 women and 44 children.

But due to a full house, they have turned away two-to-three families a week, who approached the refuge due to both domestic violence and homelessness.

Ms. Mudd said Jodie’s Place has assisted in obtaining 14 rental properties for women, two returned home through the Staying Home and Leaving Violence program, two moved interstate, six transferred to other refuges to be closer to where they wished to live, four moved in with family or friends after an AVO was obtained, and two women left without informing where they were going.

Jodie’s Place offers women and children escaping domestic violence access to professionally-trained workers and volunteers who are experienced in empowering and educating women and showing them what a great life awaits them and their children after domestic violence.

All money raised for Jodie’s Place goes to keeping the refuge’s doors open, “not on wages or unnecessary items”, Ms. Mudd said.

Founder of The Sista Code, Melissa Histon-Browning, will be the guest speaker at the benefit night.

Ms. Histon-Browning recently launched ‘gotyourbacksista’ campaign in Newcastle. She has a great story to tell of her experiences as a photographer and her work on a documentary on sex trafficking in Nepal.

Tickets for the benefit night are $70 per person or $650 for a table of 10, covering three-course meal and entertainment.

Raffle and auction items are also sought for the night; call Sheila Turnbull on 0402 390 706 if you can assist.