When Malti (name changed) was referred to Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC) in late 2024, she was facing one of the most difficult periods of her life.

Following family violence and the breakdown of her marriage, she had been left without financial security, stable housing or a clear support network. The crisis came just before Christmas, when many services were operating with reduced capacity, leaving her feeling isolated and uncertain about where to turn for help.

With support from BRMC and partner organisations, including Women's Legal Service Victoria, WRISC, BCH and McAuley Community Services for Women, Malti was connected with practical assistance, advocacy, housing support and opportunities to rebuild her confidence and wellbeing.

While this support helped address her immediate needs, recovery required more than crisis intervention. It also meant rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with others and rediscovering her strengths.

Supported through funding from the Ballarat Women's Fund, Project Sitara provided an important next step in Malti's recovery journey.

In 2025, BRMC invited Malti to participate in the leadership and family violence prevention program designed for Hindi-speaking women in Ballarat. Recognising her resilience, lived experience and strong desire to help others, BRMC believed the program could provide an opportunity to rebuild confidence, develop leadership skills and reconnect with her community.

Through Project Sitara's workshops and Communities of Practice, Malti developed a greater understanding of family violence, support services, women's rights, leadership and community engagement. Just as importantly, she formed meaningful friendships with other Hindi-speaking women who shared similar cultural backgrounds and experiences.

Those relationships reduced her social isolation and strengthened her sense of belonging within the Ballarat community.

As her confidence grew, Malti began to see her lived experience differently. Rather than something that defined her, it became a source of strength. She became more willing to share her story, support other women and actively engage in community initiatives.

In December 2025, she celebrated two significant milestones on the same day: receiving Permanent Residency and graduating from the Project Sitara Women Leaders Program. Together, they marked not only how far she had come, but the beginning of a new chapter.

Since completing the program, Malti has continued to build on the skills, knowledge and confidence she gained through Project Sitara. She volunteered at the BRMC reception desk, secured employment with a government agency and commenced a Certificate IV in Mental Health Support.

Today, she is supporting community members experiencing challenges, using both her knowledge and lived experience to guide others towards available services and support. Most recently, she participated enthusiastically in BRMC's Sitara Reconnect gathering in May 2026, maintaining strong connections with fellow participants and continuing her leadership journey.

Malti's story demonstrates how Project Sitara creates meaningful change not only for individual women, but for the wider community. By providing culturally safe opportunities for learning, connection, leadership development and peer support, the program helped transform a woman experiencing family violence and social isolation into an active community member who now supports others facing similar challenges.

Her journey continues, serving as a powerful example of how the Ballarat Women's Fund is creating brighter futures by investing in local projects that strengthen individuals, families and communities for the long term.