Why Betty's Place fundraiser at The Boat Shed goes far beyond dollars and cents

In the space of a few hours, a room full of (mainly) women had raised a record $75,000 for Albury women's refuge Betty's Place.

There was no doubting the Pre-Mother's Day Lunch at The Boat Shed Lake Hume on April 28 was intended as a colourful and fun celebration of women ... mothers in particular.

But amid the balloons, glasses of bubbles, jokes and raucous laughter of the charity auction, was the hum of something far more serious.

There was barely a dry eye in the house as Ms Glover, the chief executive of Yes Unlimited, described the terror and trauma women and children often face when they try to escape a violent perpetrator.

Of nowhere safe to stay, and no means to do so.

Of desperate, controlling partners who threaten to injure or kill family members if they leave - including the family dog.

"We know pets are often used as weapons against women escaping," she revealed as she outlined the importance of supporting the new purpose-built refuge for Albury.

"They'll say things like, 'If you leave me, I'll kill your dog'!"

Providing families with "more privacy and dignity" - and an environment more akin to home (including the option of pets) - is at the heart of the $3 million plan to build a 'core and cluster' model on a site in East Albury.

The design includes self-contained units complemented by on-site staff and supports in a central multi-purpose building.

It will improve both the quantity and quality of crisis accommodation available to women and children fleeing domestic and family violence, according to Ms Glover, who spoke of the challenges of the outdated communal living set-up at the existing Betty's Place.

She described in devastating detail the difficulty mothers face trying to share facilities and parent in front of others while managing their own trauma and that of their children.

"Mum has often lost her authority because Dad has taken control; you can see behaviours (in children) that are heart-breaking," Ms Glover said.

"We want to empower the mother to find her feet, regain her authority and find the space to start healing."

At hearing her words, the support flowed thick and fast as spirited bidding saw the fundraising tally more than double last year's efforts.

Other support came quietly; one by one, women approached Ms Glover with offers of help - from legal services to free pharmacy medications for victims of violence.

It was Andrea Lever's second year supporting the annual Betty's Place fundraiser after being deeply touched when she attended last year's event.

The managing director of Ray White Albury North said working in the real estate industry meant that sadly she did come into contact with victims of violence.

"My heart goes out to women impacted by violence, especially when there are children involved," Ms Lever said.

"Betty's Place is such a wonderful cause in that it provides for women to be protected and have somewhere to go."

Ms Lever said the importance of women networking and coming together could not be under-estimated.

"I'm into girl power," she said.

"It's important that women have a voice; they can be just as influential as men.

"And I believe if we are in a position to be able to support other women and lift them up, then that is incredibly powerful."

And, as Ms Glover fielded a question about the scope of the new refuge's support for victims of violence she drew resounding applause for her answer:

"We take women experiencing domestic violence from anywhere in Australia!"

Women supporting women and inspiring hope for a better future.