Some events are about a lovely night out. Some are about networking. Some are about raising money for a good cause.
Women Supporting Women manages to be all three, with a much deeper purpose sitting at the heart of it.
Returning to the Sutherland Shire on Thursday, 18 June 2026, Women Supporting Women will bring together more than 220 local women for an evening of connection, conversation and purposeful contribution at Hazel Kitchen & Bar, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea.
Hosted by Leona Bennett and Sarah Lamb of Southern Waters Legal, the annual event supports The Family Co., a local organisation providing domestic and family violence support services to women, children and families across the Sutherland Shire.
Since launching in 2024, Women Supporting Women has raised more than $154,000 for The Family Co., including more than $104,500 in 2025 alone. Behind those numbers is a story of community, generosity and a very real need for support close to home.
How Women Supporting Women began
The idea for Women Supporting Women came from a mix of lived professional experience, community need and a belief that women’s networking could be done differently.
After attending a fundraising event where the auction items did not quite match the room, Leona and Sarah started thinking about what a women focused fundraising event could look like if it genuinely considered its audience.
They also recognised that women often network differently. Rather than transactional conversations, many women are looking for genuine connection, shared values and a reason to be in the room beyond simply exchanging business cards.
Most importantly, through Leona’s work as Head of Family Law at Southern Waters Legal, she was seeing firsthand how many women and families were being affected by domestic and family violence.
“Women want to help, but often don’t know how. This event gives them a platform to do so.”
That platform has grown quickly. What began as a way to bring women in business together has become a much larger community event, supported by local businesses, professional women and guests who want to contribute in a meaningful way.
The local need behind the event
For Leona, the motivation behind Women Supporting Women is deeply connected to the work she does every day.
In her role as a family lawyer, she has seen women from all ages, backgrounds and circumstances come forward with stories of abuse. While many people still think of domestic violence as physical abuse, the reality is often far more complex.
Abuse can also be emotional, psychological, financial, sexual and coercive. It can look like a woman being denied access to money, being told daily that she is worthless, being isolated from friends and family, or feeling trapped because leaving feels impossible.
“Family violence is happening everywhere, and its impact is profound and immeasurable.”
Southern Waters Legal says one of the most common responses from guests after attending the event is shock. Many women are surprised to learn how significant the issue is, not only across Australia, but here in the Sutherland Shire.
According to information provided by the event organisers, one in four women in Australia experience violence by an intimate partner or family member. They also shared that The Family Co. receives more than 400 calls a month from local police referring women who have experienced family violence. In the 2024 to 2025 financial year, The Family Co. received more than 5,150 referrals to its domestic and family violence programs.
These are not distant statistics. They represent women, children and families in our own community.
The Family Co. and the work happening locally
The Family Co. has been part of the Sutherland Shire since 1987, previously known to many locals as Sutherland Shire Family Services. Based in Jannali, with a second location opened in Hurstville last year, the organisation supports women, children, young people and families through some of life’s hardest moments.
Its work includes domestic and family violence support, counselling, case management, parenting programs, school based work, youth programs and dedicated Aboriginal family support services.
For women leaving violent relationships, that support can be practical, emotional and life changing.
When a woman reaches out, she may be connected with a specialist case manager who can help with safety planning, court support for an AVO, advocacy with police, housing options, Centrelink, schools and counselling for both her and her children.
There is also important work happening before crisis point, including community education and training to help people recognise coercive control and unhealthy relationships.
“A woman leaving a violent partner is often leaving with nothing. No money of her own, sometimes no ID, frightened children and a system that is hard to navigate. The Family Co. is like the hand she holds that helps her rebuild.”
Southern Waters Legal’s partnership with The Family Co. began around six years ago, when Leona reached out to ask how they could help. From that conversation came Women Supporting Women, along with free family law information sessions and a coordinated pro bono legal roster supported by local family law firms.
Why community awareness matters
Domestic and family violence can be difficult to talk about, especially in communities where people may assume it is happening somewhere else. But awareness matters.
Understanding what family violence can look like helps people recognise the signs, support loved ones and avoid dismissing behaviours that may indicate something more serious is happening behind closed doors.
Southern Waters Legal says women can often feel unsure, isolated or afraid they will not be believed. Many have had their sense of self slowly eroded, which makes it even harder to speak up or seek help.
“The first step is often the hardest. When a woman walks through the door, she has already done something incredibly brave.”
The more the community understands family violence, the more equipped we are to support the people around us. Sometimes that may mean recognising that a friend has not simply drifted away, but may have been isolated from her support network.
A night built around connection and impact
While the reason behind the event is serious, the night itself is designed to feel warm, stylish and uplifting.
Guests can expect canapés and drinks curated by Hazel Kitchen & Bar, a thoughtfully curated goodie bag, live auction, silent auction and raffle, and the opportunity to connect with more than 220 like minded women.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to support The Family Co. through auction and raffle items, with more than 425 donations received from 226 businesses.
Standout items include artworks from female artists such as Belinda Nadwie, Lara Scolari and Marnie McKnight, weekend getaways, date nights, a Swarovski watch, a Breville espresso coffee machine, a KitchenAid, skincare products, hair, makeup and facial vouchers, and a reading nook created through multiple donations.
“The event is a feel good, female empowering, sneaky shopping night out.”
The organisers say the heart of the event is knowing that women can come together, build meaningful connections, enjoy a beautiful evening and directly support other women in need.
How to attend or support the event
Women Supporting Women 2026 will be held on Thursday, 18 June 2026, from 5 pm to 9 pm at Hazel Kitchen & Bar, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea.
Tickets include canapés and drinks, with guests also able to take part in the live auction, silent auction and raffle on the night. All proceeds from the event will be donated to The Family Co., supporting women and children impacted by domestic and family violence.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://events.humanitix.com/women-supporting-women-2026/tickets
There is also a pre event online auction available for those who cannot attend, or for anyone who wants to start shopping early.
Online auction: https://aus.givergy.com/WomenSupportingWomen2026/
For local women who want to connect, contribute and be part of something with genuine community impact, this is one to put in the diary.
