So you can imagine his relief when the following day, Pambula Rotary called to say his organisation had been selected as a recipient of the club’s EOFY donations. 

Rotary member Joan Macdonald was accompanied by outgoing president Daryl Dobson and incoming president Colin Dunn to present the $2000 cheque, about the same cost of a replacement commercial dryer. 

"It's a great help, especially now when it's cold and it's hard to get clothing to dry," Strickland said. "It's a real comfort for the women and children who rely on us for services as simple as getting the laundry done."

The women’s refuge is managed by Mission's Bega Valley Homelessness Support Service, which provides assistance to over 300 people in need throughout the region. 

Mr Strickland explained the main cause of women's homelessness is domestic violence. The shelter provides resources for women to escape the cycle of violence and get into stable accommodation. 

Mr Dobson said the donation was a great example of a strong community supporting itself. 

"This is local people putting back into really worthwhile local causes," he said. "All the money that we raise goes directly to the recipients, every cent, because there are no administration costs."

And Mr Strickland says the support doesn’t end there.

"We'll be using the donation to buy a dryer from a local seller, so the money will continue to support this community when it leaves our hands too."

In addition to the cheque, a bag filled with children’s toys and supplies was donated by Ms Macdonald, who personally knows the importance of creating a comfortable environment for displaced families.

"You just try to make it feel as much like home as you can," she said.

The donation is part of a $30,000 pool raised by Pambula Rotary Club. The funds are distributed to charities selected by their members.