On Sunday, 25 May, The Westin Melbourne hosted You Matter’s High Tea for Hope - an inspiring afternoon dedicated to supporting women and children rebuilding their lives after experiencing family violence. Attendees were united by a common purpose: to create a brighter future for families in crisis.
CommunityHigh Tea for Hope: A Community Success
Next ArticleHigh Tea for Hope: A Community Success
11 June 2025
The sold-out event featured a powerful keynote by former tennis player Jelena Dokic, who shared her personal journey of resilience and transformation. Her story resonated with guests, reminding everyone of the power of community support and the importance of providing tangible hope to those in need.
Adding excitement to the day, a lively charity auction was expertly conducted by John Bongiorno, Marshall White Group Sales Director. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and enthusiasm of attendees, approximately $60,000 was raised - funds that directly contribute to You Matter’s vital mission of furnishing welcoming and fully equipped 'Havens of Hope.' Each Haven transforms empty houses into warm, safe homes, thoughtfully prepared by volunteers with essential furniture, kitchen items, bedding, and personal touches such as flowers and heartfelt notes.
A You Matter client highlights the impact of this work: “The people were so friendly and did a beautiful job setting up the house. When I found the flowers and note they had left me, I burst into tears - they were happy tears. What I liked most was that it felt like home when I walked in the door.” With the funds raised at the event, You Matter is now positioned to furnish 20 new Havens, but they still need an additional $15,000 to achieve their goal of completing 25 Havens by 30 June 2025. Given the ongoing housing and cost-of-living challenges facing Melbourne communities, the work of You Matter has never been more essential.
You Matter relies on the compassion and generosity of the community. Every contribution helps create safe, nurturing environments that empower women and children to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
To find out more about You Matter and how you can make a difference, visit https://youmatter.org.au/ or make a donation today to help achieve the June 30 target https://shoutforgood.com/event-ticketings/HTFH2025onlineraffle.
Together, we can help women and children affected by family violence find safety, dignity, and hope.
