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A new season
1 JUNE 2009
The Gatehouse netball team is nearing the end of its first season. The team is made up of women involved in street sex work, staff, volunteers and friends. If the benefits we’ve experienced could be shown on the scorecard, we’d be straight through to the grand final. But unfortunately not!
What isn't on the scorecard:
Creating a space to develop positive and safe relationships
It has been wonderful to see the team members bond, support and champion each other. Women from all walks of life, on one team. Rather than being a street sex worker or a staff member, an individual is a Wing Attack or a Goal Shooter. Stories, laughter and encouragement are shared both on and off the court.
Engaging in the ‘straight’ world
Though experts in street rules, women involved in street sex work can find the “straight” world daunting and intimidating. Years of negative experiences cannot be undone by a game of netball - but we have certainly seen the women involved grow in confidence as they learn and follow a new set of rules: turning up on time, controlling frustration, following the umpires, not stepping with the ball, etc.
Doing it for themselves
Women engaged in street sex work can have very low self worth and feel a lack of control over their lifestyle. Engaging in a positive, healthy activity provides individuals with a sense of accomplishment and pride in knowing they are making a positive, small step that is good for their health and well-being.
A new kitchen
17 NOVEMBER 2009St Kilda Gatehouse has been very fortunate to receive a $10,000 grant as part of the Feed Melbourne campaign. The grant will mean a much needed upgrade to our kitchen. More storage, a stove and oven and greater capacity to freeze food. This means we can serve more hot meals as well as involve the Gatehouse community in cooking and preparing food. We would like to especially thank FareShare, Do Something and Leader Community Newspaper. To find out more about the Feed Melbourne campaign click here
Port Phillip Leader, 8th December 2009
First Winter Sleep In
21 AUGUST 2009It is always difficult to close the doors at Gatehouse, particularly in winter. Many who spend time with us during the day sleep it rough during the night. One day we looked around the room and counted how many mattresses we could fit. And the plans began…
Towards the end of August we held our first Winter Sleep-In. It was a night that we will all remember for a long time and one we plan to repeat again.
There was a stronger sense of belonging and equality. We came from different life experiences, but that night we were all sleeping under the same roof. Mattresses and doonas covered the floor. Homemade scones were layered with jam and whipped cream. Popcorn churned out of a loaned popcorn machine. Conversations delved deeper. Everyone chose a pair of new pyjamas. And then finally we heard loud snores.
Thank you to our supporters particularly the group of young people from the Vetamorphus City Retreat who brought in breakfast on Saturday morning (juice, croissants, muffins and coco pops!)
Mothers at Gatehouse
30 JULY 2009St Kilda Gatehouse has entered a Service Agreement with Family and Children Services at City of Port Phillip. The agreement acknowledges the unique relationship Gatehouse has with marginalised women, who often don’t engage through mainstream means.
Many women who work on the street are also responsible for bearing and raising children. These mothers tend to feel anxious for their own and their children's safety and are often separated from their children when their children are removed from their care. These separations tend to result in great psychological stress and trauma, leading to increased drug use and street sex work.
The funding from the Service Agreement is will be used to provide intensive support to pregnant women and mothers - assisting with setting up housing, transitional care for those who have ceased drug use and sex work, and peer support with other mothers. Practical support is also being provided during access visits such as food parcels, toys and books.
Community BBQs go weekly
1 JULY 2009Our popular fortnightly event, has gone weekly. We were pleased to again receive a Community Grant from City of Port Phillip. This year with the support of FareShare and a donation from a generous donor, the BBQs are now held each Monday night. The Community BBQs are also supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, the occasional musician and Nandos in St Kilda.
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Paul Kelly and Tim Costello
16 OCTOBER 2009Mark in your diaries!!! Our fundraiser dinner “Beyond the Street Corner” cannot be missed. Performing for us will be Paul Kelly, one of the most significant singer/songwriters in the country. Also on the ticket is Tim Costello - a leading campaigner on social justice issues. Tickets are $50. Start rounding up friends and family. Details on how to purchase tickets will be posted soon.
Mother's Day
10 MAY 2009This year we acknowledged Mother’s Day at Gatehouse. Due to homelessness and addiction many of the women who come to Gatehouse are separated from their children. Whilst being sensitive to the pain Mother’s Day can bring, we gave a flower and a small gift to each mother, acknowledging that they have brought precious children into this world. We also gave out $5 phone cards to assist mothers contact their children. This acknowledgement and support was received really well and brought many smiles.
New Centre Support Worker
25 MARCH 2009St Kilda Gatehouse welcomes a new member to its team: Louisa Tew. We are very excited to have Louisa on board and by what she will bring to St Kilda Gatehouse. Look out for a full introduction to Louisa soon.
[Louisa's shares some thoughts here]
$900 raised at Wesley Anne Fundraiser
7 MARCH 2009A big thank you to Ali Smith, Emily Hanscamp, The Tealeaves and Tarryn Attkinson who's performances, and artwork, at The Wesley Anne on March 7th raised $900 for St Kilda Gatehouse. For those of you who hadn't already left the city to start your long weekend - we hope you were able to make it and enjoy the night. If you have any photos we'd love to see them: info@stkildagatehouse.org.au
Article in The Age about under-age street sex work
2 MARCH 2009
This article tells a story very familiar to many of women known to St Kilda Gatehouse.
Feedback from Christmas BBQ
19 DECEMBER 2008The Christmas break-up was a fun day. We used the occasion to send off Faye and acknowledge Jim’s 10 years at Gatehouse. Those who’ve known Jim and Faye for some time, through coming to Gatehouse, made moving speeches. We were able to give out over 50 gift packages. Leisa and Faye did an incredible job pulling together the packages from donations made throughout the year. A big thank you to Grace Community Church, who always provide a bundle of goodies, Nandos for their usual supply of salads and River Capital and Hillview church who made a generous contribution allowing us to put on a large spread of ham, salads, and lots of homemade treats. It was declared many times during the day as the “best Christmas party yet”.
University of Melbourne Study
24 OCTOBER 2008Reseachers from the Department of Managment and Marketing at the University of Melbourne have approached St Kilda Gatehouse for assistance in conducting a research project. They are seeking to better understand the risks, hazards and common situations of street sex workers. The project is titled, 'The influence of occupational identity on the stress levels of sex workers'. Surveys are currently being completed by street sex workers at St Kilda Gatehouse. For further information, please contact Ms. Dani Salinger, Project Manager: 0412 334 808.
