Fancy frocks and boots on show at gala held for women affected by domestic and family abuse

Australia Broadcast Center

4 days ago

A gown worn with a pair of Blundstone boots isn't a sight you'd typically expect for a cocktail event.
But at a gala held on Saturday night in Hobart, it was a perfect fit.
The pairing was just one outfit meeting the dress code at the "Butterflies and Boots" gala ball, an event held specifically for women with lived experience of domestic or family abuse.
"Butterflies are about regeneration, regrowth, flourishing," Nicki, the event's co-organiser, and a domestic and family violence support worker, said.
The idea for the gala, which included a fashion parade, a Zumba lesson and plenty of dancing, was sparked when Nicki reached out to and met co-organiser Shakira Robertson last year.
The conversation quickly turned to Shakira's mother, Jacqui Purton.
In March 2023, Ms Purton was fatally hit by a car allegedly being driven by her ex-boyfriend, James Austin.
The matter remains before the courts. Mr Austin has pleaded not guilty to murder.
With both Nicki and Shakira passionate about advocating against domestic and family violence, the pair knew they wanted to do something empowering for victim-survivors.
A gala felt like the right choice.
"There's nothing like this," Nicki said.
"There's candlelight vigils, and there's rallies, and they're really important, but there's nothing being done that's all about celebrating and joy.
"Everyone needs joy in their life.
To help the women get ready, a pamper session was held on Saturday afternoon, with gala attendees invited to have their hair, make-up and nails done free of charge by professionals volunteering their time.
Dresses were also donated, with women able to select whichever one they felt most beautiful in.
For attendee Jessica* there were years in a former abusive relationship where she hadn't "been allowed" to do things like put on nice clothing, and get her hair and make-up done professionally.
Since escaping that relationship, she said, she hadn't "felt a reason to, either".
Being invited to an event focused on connecting women with shared experiences, and being able to celebrate them while honouring those who have lost their lives, felt like a good opportunity to change that.
"There's so much still ongoing, but it's so nice to stop and for somebody else to identify that, 'Hey, this is a great opportunity. Let's celebrate you and what you've done.'
Too often, Shakira said, people had a misconception that if a woman left a violent relationship then "they're out, she's fine, we don't have to think about her again".
"No. That's the moment where you need to pick them up, give them that big hug and go 'Right, let's go and do something for you.'"
She said, at its heart, the gala was about uplifting these women, and building a sense of community.
"A lot of women, when they leave an abusive relationship, they feel so dehumanised, and they lose that feminine touch and they feel like they are so worthless," Shakira said.
"[It was] just the thought of being able to give these women a chance to dress up … get hair and make-up done, and be able to look at themselves and go 'Wow, that's what I look like underneath.'"
Leesah Hotson was among those who volunteered their stylist services for the afternoon's pampering sessions.
She said being given the trust of the women to make them look and feel beautiful, and to be in their personal space, was something she didn't take for granted.
"It's absolutely brilliant," she said.
Moving forwards, Shakira and Nicki are hopeful the gala will become an annual event in Tasmania, with potential for it to expand interstate.
*Names have been changed in this story to protect the individual's identities