About 120 people attended the birthday dinner at Cessnock Leagues Club on Friday night, which doubled as a fundraiser for local women’s refuge Jodie’s Place.

About $5000 was raised for Jodie’s Place, which assists women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Fittingly, Jodie’s Place coordinator Paula Mudd received BPW Cessnock’s Colleen Cleaves Award for her work in establishing Hunter Domestic Violence Support and Advisory Services.

Ms. Mudd said she was humbled to receive the award, and paid tribute to her colleagues, committee and the people of Cessnock for their support.

“I feel so blessed to be in such a fabulous community,” she said.

BPW Cessnock is heavily involved in promoting the White Ribbon anti-domestic violence campaign in the local community and schools.

President Sheila Turnbull said the club has actively promoted the best interests of women in the community in its 60 years.

Original member of BPW Cessnock, Mary Campbell, had the honour of cutting the birthday cake.

The guest speaker was Melissa Histon-Browning, founder of online community ‘The Sista Code’.

Ms. Histon-Browning spoke of her journey as a breast cancer survivor and how being given a second chance at life inspired her to “pay it forward”.

She said she founded The Sista Code with a vision for women to be kinder to each other and themselves and to support those in need.