About Us
Laurel Place is funded by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, and the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services.
Laurel Place Inc. is a community-based, government funded, free, specialised and confidential Counselling service. We provide counselling, support, information and education relating to sexual violence across the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Gympie and South Burnett areas.
Our staff are specialist sexual assault practitioners who hold a range of qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling and Human Services.
We value and respect cultural and social diversity and inclusion. We employ a Community Liaison and Support Worker to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and client needs are considered and met to the best of our ability. We strive to meet the cultural needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse clients, and have access to language interpreter services where needed. Currently, two of our offices – Maroochydore and Morayfield, have disability access, with Gympie and Murgon offices able to provide accessible options.
Laurel Place accepts self-referrals and referrals from government, health and other community services - with client consent.
Our Story
Laurel Place Inc has evolved since its inception as the first sexual assault counselling service in Queensland, and while we have grown from one office to four since then, our aim is to retain the culture of passion, dedication and pride that saw our fore-sisters begin the first office in Maroochydore almost 40 years ago.
Our Vision:
Communities free of sexual violence
Our Mission:
To educate our communities on the prevention and awareness of sexual assault issues, providing interventions to people affected by sexual violence and developing collaborative relationships with individuals, organisations and communities.
Our Values:
Courage • Acceptance • Integrity • Respect • Individuality • Initiative • Commitment • Equity
Story of the Laurel Tree
Laurel Place Inc derives our name from Greek mythology:
Daphne is depicted as a young nymph, or female divinity, caring for trees, waters, and other natural elements. Daphne is the daughter of Peneus, a river god.
Unfortunately, Daphne’s free and idyllic life was interrupted by the relentless pursuit of Apollo, son of Zeus. In desperation, Daphne appealed to her father for protection, and he took the effective, but drastic action of turning Daphne into a Laurel Tree on the bank of his river. Apollo proceeded to wear the ever-green laurel leaves and presented them as a crown (wreath) to winners at the Pythian games he created in her ‘honour’.
Laurel Place seeks to re-position this symbolism of victory, strength, and courage to those whose lives has been impacted by sexual violence, and to genuinely honour this legacy through our mission, vision, and values. The laurel tree serves as a consistent reminder of our commitment to creating communities free of sexual violence, where individual rights to freedom, autonomy, safety, and respect are never compromised.