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Karinya News - June 2026
Dear Friends of Karinya
As we 'pen' this eNewsletter, it is the 17th of June 2026. Whilst the first six months of the Calendar year at Karinya have been full, we are sure, as for you, the time has flown by!
Since our last missive, and amidst the happenings of each and every day at Karinya, we have been enjoying some of those stunning big sky, sun filled winter days in recent days, amidst the familiar foggy beginnings and some welcome occasional rainy days. The roses at Karinya are looking stunning, and our wonderful, volunteer garden crew are doing the winter maintenance tasks, keeping things looking so very well cared for. They also give us a few laughs during their weekly attendances.
Reconciliation Day at Karinya involved our wonderful maternal support worker, Perri, a proud Wiradjuri woman who worked on Sunday 31 May and also on Monday 1 June, the Public Holiday shift. Perri and a resident attended the ACT Reconciliation Day events held on the lawns near Reconciliation Place. In Perri's words, "the weather was beautiful... we listened to Casey Donovan, enjoyed a picnic on the grass and checked out the stalls. The woman enjoyed the event. We had lots of conversations about culture, mob, motherhood and the excitement of the upcoming birth of her son."
Perri also shared the following with the Karinya team from her shift on Sunday: "When I arrived at Karinya House this morning, a magpie greeted me at the door. It wasn’t scared at all; it came right up to me and seemed very curious and at ease (I could have patted it). Knowing that magpies are often associated with nurturing, family and protective qualities, I couldn’t help feeling there was something fitting about that happening here. The moment felt particularly meaningful, given it is Reconciliation week and connection and care sit at the heart of Reconciliation and the work we do here. It was a very lovely welcome to the day."
Notes:
The main image above reflects residential statistics for 2026 through to 25 May 2026. We have had a number of new residents since then, including one very teeny baby.
Calleo Indigenous Foundation have partly funded the engagement of indigenous staff, to support the women we are walking alongside. This is especially critical in the role of supporting women of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Please note references to events or appeals below are for the information of all our Friends. If you are an existing donor of Karinya House, be assured we value the current extent of your financial support, and no additional support from current donors is being sought through the sharing of this news, other than asking you to consider sharing this eNews with friends or family if it may be of interest to them.
Snippets ...
Recent insights to share ...
From the folk who support women through Karinya:
"It has been my privilege to support Karinya, and the wonderful, compassionate work that you and your team do."
"Fabulous charity, doing amazing work supporting mothers and their babies in the Canberra region."
And from the Women we are privileged to walk alongside:
"I made a mistake moving out of Karinya and I thought I had burnt my bridges, but when I reached out, I was told I had 127,000 bridges to burn - I know that bit was a joke, but I feel like she really meant Karinya would never leave me."
"Thank you so much, you are amazing! I also wanted to thank you for helping me with the dentist. I had my last dental appointment today and I could cry - I don't need any more dental work for a while, and they also fixed my front teeth. I almost look like a new person."
#humansofkarinya #walkingalongsidewomen
Join our Team ...
Are you looking to join the Karinya Team in the operational support area. We have a new fixed term opportunity currently available. This position may have potential to extend.
We are looking for a part-time Communications and Fundraising Coordinator to work with our Partnerships and Events Manager. 20-24 hours per week. If you have experience in a communications or coordination role, preferably within the community services or
not-for-profit sector, or qualifications (or working towards) in communications, marketing or event management, this opportunity may be one to consider. Further information is outlined at the link below. This is an open EOI.
This role is an open EOI. Applications will be assessed when received and the EOI invitation will be removed one the role is filled.
The Karinya EOFY Appeal....
For those in our village who choose to donate at EOFY, the annual appeal is now open. The link to the appeal is below.
A word of gratitude to all of the financial and non-financial donors and funding partners who have supported Karinya House throughout the current financial year ending 30 June 2026. Your support has been kind, thoughtful, generous and humbling - always given with warmth and consideration - recognising each of the unique and inspirational women we have been privileged to walk alongside. Thank you - each and every one of you - individuals, couples, families, community organisations, small businesses, corporates.
This gratitude extends to the numerous non-government contract partners (Philanthropic Foundations, Trusts and Corporates) who support specific projects.
We welcome the 38 donors who have become a Bud of Hope in the Karinya Garden, joining with our existing 201 Rose Buds.
A note to all our valued recurring donors - you can modify or cancel your recurring donation at any time by contacting us.
The Home. Hope. Horizon. Charity Luncheon.... Thank You.
With the extraordinary partnership of our Principal Partner, Parker Coles Curtis, in this their 3rd year of major funding support, the Karinya House 2026 Home. Hope. Horizon. Charity Luncheon and Appeal has raised just under $140,000.
This amount enables us to support 7 women and their babies/children through their journey with Karinya House. To all of you who supported the luncheon and the May appeal, we are grateful.
Debra Parker, Founding Director - Parker Coles Curtis, is pictured here with Aunty Violet Sheridan, who provided the Welcome to Country, and was a valued guest at the Luncheon.
Thanks to everyone who spent time with us at this year's Charity Luncheon:
“I just wanted to reach out and say — what an extraordinary event. Friday's Home. Hope. Horizon. luncheon was everything it needed to be and more. The venue, the food, the atmosphere in the room — it all came together beautifully. But it was the people who made it truly special. More than anything, the event felt like a genuine reflection of what Karinya House stands for — purposeful, human, and deeply connected to its community.” (Words from a Guest)
2026-27 Association Membership
Karinya House is an Incorporated Association within the ACT under the Associations Incorporation Act 1991. We encourage our supporters to become members of the Association. Membership of the Association is indicative of community support for the work of the Association.
Membership of the Association runs from 1 July to 30 June for each financial year. New memberships are welcome throughout the year. Membership Fees, whilst nominal in amount, are not tax deductible. Membership Fees received after 31 March, will be applied against the new financial year.
There is a joining fee of $1, and the Annual Membership Fee is currently $20 per annum.
As a Member of the Association, you are invited to subscribe to our regular eNewsletter and this will ensure you receive updates on events and happenings at Karinya. You will also be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM). A reminder to renew your Membership will be distributed with the Notice of Meeting.
The 2026 Walk for Hope
Planning for the 2026 Walk for Hope is well underway.
Save the Date - Sunday 13th September 2026 - and watch this space. We will let you know when you can register yourself, your team, your family, your friends to walk alongside with us.
Last year's event was a fun, vibrant, uplifting morning, and we hope to see you all again this year, and your friends.
The Walk for Hope is a 4.5km or 9km walk/run held along the end of Lake Burley Griffin. We walk together so women impacted by domestic violence and homelessness, while pregnant or parenting, can have safety, hope and a chance to thrive.
We thank the Canberra Southern Cross Club - Yacht Club - for hosting the event again in 2026.
We thank DOMA for their continued as the Event Major Sponsor.
Thank You!
For your interest in the happenings at Karinya House, and for your support.
We hope to see you across 2026-27 as well!
#supportingwomen #standingalongside #ourvillage #ourcommunity #budofhope
Karinya House is committed to reconciliation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay respects to Elders past, present and future. In this recognition, we acknowledge the never-ending connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have to land, water and sky.
