Maleny installation raises awareness of women’s homelessness

With homelessness on the rise a group of Maleny women organised an artistic installation to draw attention to the issue and show support for women in need.

The Gazette asked volunteers about the “Hung out to Dry” installation which featured in Maple Street on International Women’s Day, March 8.

• What prompted you to initiate the Hung Out to Dry installation?

“Heather Price first heard about the Byron Bay Hung Out to Dry installation from a friend of hers. Inspired, Heather shared the idea with two close friends, Christine Clegg and Stephie Lister. Together they called a group of women around them here in Maleny, who were also inspired by the concept of supporting women facing homelessness. 

“They were eager to join forces and together we co-created this installation in a very short time. We had a lot of support locally, particularly from the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.

• In a nutshell, can you describe the installation?

“Hung out to Dry represents the community turning their back on someone. The installation reflected this through women’s clothes literally hanging out to dry. The central installation represents a tragic story on the journey to womanhood that is often overlooked.  The images represent the passageway of a young girl with dreams, moving through many stages of immeasurable contribution to family and community until her world falls around her. Due to circumstances out of control now facing homelessness, she feels invisible, cast aside and hung out to dry.”

• What do you hope to achieve?

“Our intention was to awaken, connect, find solutions, share ideas and inspire a call to action within our community.”

• What can people do to support people who are homeless?

“Local neighbourhood centres, like Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, are invaluable to people experiencing homelessness. Donations of food, bedding and hygiene products to these centres are needed. 

“Without basic needs being met, the vicious cycle continues and human rights are neglected. We need initiatives at Council and state level on creating social housing and supporting neighbourhood centres. 

“We also need social support to reintegrate people experiencing homelessness back into community and into the economy. It costs more to keep someone homeless than to house them. 

“Again, it’s all about coming together to collectively create solutions.”

• Who else was involved in the installation:  

Terri-Anne Goodreid, Christine Clegg, Kerrie Norris, Karla Pizzica, Rebecca Ward, Teula De’Gars, Stephanie Lister and Emma Creed all did such an incredible job and gave up so much of their time and even their own money to help from this. Also, Aunty Edna Van Hemmen welcomed us to country.

• Can we still see the installation? 

“For those who missed out seeing the installation we have put up a smaller version at the Maleny Library until the end of March. This offers women facing homelessness a chance to tell their stories.”

Coordinator Heather Price at the “Hung Out to Dry” installation which drew attention to the hidden victims of homelessness.