I have just purchased my first home, but I will not be living in it. It is named after nine-year-old Stacey-Ann Tracy, who was murdered by my stepfather in 1990.
This project is part of my commitment to ensuring her name – and legacy – lives on.
I’ve paid for the apartment in full and the keys were handed over on September 15, 2025. Renovations were finished in February of 2026 and soon the first resident will move in.
Stacey’s Sanctuary is for domestic violence victims needing a step-up as they save money for a permanent rental.
Abuse perpetrators often murder women after their victims have been denied access to housing.
Women may be refused housing for a number of reasons, including not being considered at high enough risk; not having employment; or simply due to a lack of housing stock.
YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT STACEY’S SANCTUARY BY DONATING TO COVER ONGOING COSTS!
Stacey’s Sanctuary is located in inner Melbourne, with easy access to public transport and the city.
Victoria has one of Australia’s highest femicide rates. Despite this, it is one of the hardest places in the country to gain low-cost transitional housing. Safe and secure low-cost housing saves lives – women need transitional housing so they can live their best lives without the fear of being murdered.
WORK IS FINALLY FINISHED!
FEBRUARY, 2026: UPDATE: Five months after picking up the keys, Stacey’s Sanctuary was finally finished on February 19, 2026. There was so much support for this project, with hundreds of Australians donating money, furniture, artwork, food for the pantry, consumables for the laundry and bathroom, labor and materials. The apartment was styled by You Matter. You Matter also provided furniture for the bedroom and living area plus smaller items including kitchenware. A crew of Melbournians contributed a raft of items; plumber Paul Walla did all the plumbing and donated the toilet and bathroom cabinet; my friend Pete helped fix the floors; and your donations paid for renovations and all the electrical items including the new stove top and oven. Donations also covered the electrician costs and safety upgrades. I am still working through the process of partnering with a domestic violence agency. I will update once this has been nailed down. Check out the photos and video below.
JANUARY 5, 2026 UPDATE: I had no idea it would take so long to get the Sanctuary into shape. It has been hard juggling all my other work on RED HEART and Australian Femicide Watch with renovations- I spend about 60 hours a week on RED HEART and AFW work. Anyway, I am about halfway through. The floors have been re-laid (is that even the right term?). And the kitchen electronics are in the building. I am desperate to locate a carpenter and an electrician to help me with some work. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Otherwise, it’s just keep ploughing ahead one day at a time.
STACEY’S SANCTUARY REFUBISHMENT BEGINS
NOVEMBER 4, 2025: UPDATE: My good mate Pete, my partner Lara and I put our worst clothes on and got ourselves dirty and tired these past days to start refurbishing and repairing the Sanctuary. We’ve ripped the flooring up, taken the crappy oven and stove top out and started over-hauling the bathroom. Right now, it looks like a dump but soon it will be a home for women needing space to breathe, recover and save money for their own permanent housing.
❤️HOW TO SUPPORT STACEY’S SANCTUARY❤️
Please consider donating to cover the ongoing costs needed to ensure women have access to this vital housing project. You may also but an item from the RED HEART Tee range, with 100% of profits fully funding my work.