Blue Bow Tie

06/09/2026

EVERY ORGANISATION STARTS SOMEWHERE. THIS ONE STARTED WITH BRIAN.
His name wasn't really Brian. That's just what I always call him.
Several years ago, a man walked into the office where I was working and said he needed help.
He had just left home after his wife had attacked him. A manager took him into an office and spoke with him privately.
Until that day, I hadn't really thought about men experiencing domestic and family violence. So while they talked, I started looking online to see what help was actually available.
I found a lot of support for women experiencing domestic and family violence — funding, accommodation, practical assistance and specialist services. And rightly so. Women need those services.
Then I looked for the same kind of help for men.
I found phone numbers.
There were services men could call for support, but I couldn't find the tangible, practical assistance I had found for women.
And I remember thinking:
That's not fair.
My dad was a man. My brothers are men. And my son is a man.
If any one of them ever found himself in Brian's position — frightened, away from home, and needing help — I would want there to be more available to him than a phone number.
I wanted men to have the same level of support that was available to women.
I believe that everyone experiencing domestic and family violence deserves to be safe and supported.
There needed to be somewhere offering men tangible, practical assistance when they found themselves in situations like Brian's.
Eventually, I decided to see if I could do something about it.
I spoke to an accountant friend who helped me begin the process of establishing a charity. We advertised for Board members.
And the idea slowly became Blue Bow Tie.
Brian will probably never know what started because he walked through that door.
But he is where our story began.
💙 Blue Bow Tie
YOU ARE NOT ALONE

30/08/2026

🌟 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
It takes a community.

Supporting someone experiencing domestic and family violence can involve many different kinds of help.

A safe place to stay.
Counselling and emotional support.
Legal information.
Financial assistance.
Practical help.
Or simply having someone who knows where to turn next.

At Blue Bow Tie, we believe effective support is strengthened when organisations, services and people work together.

As Blue Bow Tie grows, we'll continue building connections within our community, strengthening referral pathways and working alongside organisations that share our commitment to supporting male victims of domestic and family violence.

💙 Because no one organisation has to have all the answers.
Blue Bow Tie

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

24/08/2026

21/08/2026

♻️ Easy Ways to Help

Did you know your eligible drink containers can also be an easy way to support Blue Bow Tie?

Blue Bow Tie is registered as a donation partner with Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).

If you'd like to support our work, you can choose Blue Bow Tie as your donation partner and have the 10¢ refunds from your eligible containers donated directly to us. 💙

Ten cents at a time can add up — and every contribution helps us work towards providing practical support for male victims of domestic and family violence.

You'll find instructions for selecting Blue Bow Tie as your donation partner on our website:

https://www.bluebowtie.org.au/donate/

♻️ Return your containers.
💙 Choose Blue Bow Tie.
🎀 Help us support men who need it.

05/07/2026

🤝 Community Spotlight: Courageous Minds

At Blue Bow Tie, we know that supporting someone experiencing domestic and family violence is rarely something one organisation can do alone.

That's why we're so pleased to be working alongside Courageous Minds, a Ballarat-based organisation dedicated to supporting mental health and wellbeing within our community.

By working together, we can help connect men with additional support and strengthen the pathways available to those who need them.

Strong communities are built through collaboration, and we're grateful to have Courageous Minds as part of that journey.

To learn more about Courageous Minds and the work they do, visit:
https://www.courageousminds.com.au

💙 Together, we can create stronger support networks and better outcomes for those who need them most.

Courageous Minds is a Mental health service offering therapeutic services in Ballarat, Beaufort, Ararat, Stawell and surrounding areas. Telehealth services are available Australia-wide.

27/06/2026

💙 Why Blue Bow Tie?

Every charity begins with a simple idea.

For Blue Bow Tie, that idea was recognising that men experiencing domestic and family violence often face unique challenges when seeking help. Many don't know where to turn, what support is available, or even whether anyone will listen.

Blue Bow Tie was created to help change that.

Our mission is to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide practical support to men experiencing domestic and family violence.

Whether it's connecting someone with support services, providing practical assistance, building community partnerships, or simply helping people understand that men can be victims too, every step brings us closer to a future where no one has to face abuse alone.

Change doesn't happen overnight, but every conversation, every partnership, and every act of support helps create a stronger, more compassionate community.

💙 You Are Not Alone.

To learn more about Blue Bow Tie and our mission, visit:

13/06/2026

💙 Did You Know?
Domestic and family violence can affect anyone, including men.
Many men experiencing abuse face barriers to seeking help. Some may have had experiences where they were not believed or supported when they reached out, while others may feel isolated, embarrassed, or unsure where to turn.
Raising awareness helps break down stigma, encourage conversations, and remind those affected that support is available.
At Blue Bow Tie, we believe that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to rebuild their future.
💙 You Are Not Alone.
To learn more about Blue Bow Tie and our mission, visit:

03/06/2026

🤝 Exciting Partnership Announcement

Blue Bow Tie is pleased to announce a new partnership with Courageous Minds.

At Blue Bow Tie, our mission is to provide practical support to men experiencing domestic and family violence. We know that recovery often requires more than immediate assistance – it also requires access to ongoing support, guidance, and connection.

By working together with Courageous Minds, we hope to strengthen the pathways available to men who need support and help ensure that no one has to face their challenges alone.

We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will create and look forward to working together to make a positive difference in our community.

To learn more about Courageous Minds, visit their website:
https://www.courageousminds.com.au/

💙 Together, we can create stronger support networks and better outcomes for those who need them most.

Courageous Minds is a Mental health service offering therapeutic services in Ballarat, Beaufort, Ararat, Stawell and surrounding areas. Telehealth services are available Australia-wide.