KEMPSEY Women’s Refuge manager June Wilson was to finish in her role on August 29.
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However, her employment at the refuge ended abruptly yesterday, The Argus was told.
Ms Wilson had been employed by Domestic Violence NSW Services Management, which has lost the contract to operate the Kempsey Women's Refuge.
She was scheduled to finish work at the end of the month ahead of the takeover of the refuge by the Samaritans Group.
The Argus was unable to contact Ms Wilson yesterday. She was not at the refuge and did not answer her work mobile phone.
Earlier this week Ms Wilson said seven staff, including herself, would be made redundant when the operation of the refuge switches to the new preferred tenderer in the coming weeks.
The operation of the Kempsey Women’s Refuge was put out to open tender by the NSW government under its reforms of the welfare sector.
The Samaritans Group, based in Taree, won the contract to provide women’s homelessness and domestic violence services in Kempsey.
“There are five full-time positions and two casual workers who are affected by this decision,” Ms Wilson said.
“Three have transferred to another funded program called Speak out for Kids, but the others will have to reapply for their old jobs if that is what they want to do.
“Myself and another employee finish up for good on Friday, August 29.”
Ms Wilson ruled out a future role for herself in the running of the refuge.
“I know there is no role for me in the new structure,” she said.
“That is sad, but that is how things have turned out and I wish everyone the best in the future and hope the good work of the refuge will continue.
“I will still be involved in the community somehow, I love Kempsey and the beautiful Macleay Valley and I am not going anywhere.
“I have always wanted to try volunteering with the RFS so I might give that a go."
A spokesperson for the Samaritans Group said it would be issuing a statement about the future operations of the Kempsey Women’s Refuge in the coming days.
A rally in support of the Kempsey Women’s Refuge and its staff will be held at the Kempsey-Macleay RSL on Friday, August 8 at 10.30am.
Speakers will include Linda Burney, NSW deputy Opposition leader and Opposition spokeswoman for Family and Community Services; and Sophie Cotsis, Opposition spokeswoman for Housing and the Status of Women.