About us

The Starick of today evolved from the hard work and commitment of strong women who were dedicated to their vision of providing safety and support to women and children who were experiencing family and domestic violence in their community.

Starick had its beginnings in 1982 when more than 80 people attended a public meeting in Gosnells to discuss the need for a refuge for women and children in the south eastern suburbs of Perth.

A steering group was formed and in 1985 Starick House was opened as a purpose built refuge providing safe emergency accommodation, information, advice and support to women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

The name Starick commemorates Nurse Henrietta Starick (1851- 1941) who worked as a Registered Maternity Nurse in the Gosnells area from 1905 to 1935.  Nurse Starick’s work extended through the areas of Maddington, Gosnells, Cannington, Southern River and Canning Vale and she covered many miles on foot tending to her patients.  Nurse Starick was extremely proud of the fact that she never lost a mother in all her years of working as a maternity nurse. She had 12 children of her own and several of her grandchildren still live in the Gosnells area.

Since the opening of Starick House, Starick has grown into a multi-facted service.

In 1999, Starick took over the management of Mary Smith Night Shelter in Bentley. This refuge owes its origins to Mary Smith, a determined woman originally from Scotland.  In 1975, the International Year of Women, Mary Smith and a group of women from the International Women’s Year Committee initiated the “Night Shelter” project.  An advisory committee was formed, a property leased and the Association was incorporated in 1976.   Mary Smith Night Shelter (named after her by the City of Canning) opened its doors in 1978 to women and children escaping domestic and family violence, experiencing mental health issues and homelessness.  Some 20  years later, Mary Smith Night Shelter was incorporated into Starick.

Mary Smith was passionate and committed to the protection of women and children up until she passed away in 1997 at 72 years if age. She was also involved in the Women's Council for Domestic & Family Violence and other committees relating to domestic violence.  She was a founder and patron of CLAN and a member of the committee that established the Family Law Act.   She became a well-known and respected community figure in the City of Canning and deservedly earned awards and recognition for her commitment to these causes.