Matt Damon makes surprise guest appearance at Brisbane charity lunch for domestic violence

Hollywood heavyweight Matt Damon has made a surprise appearance at Brisbane’s prestigious Calile Hotel for a worthy cause.

Hollywood heavyweight Matt Damon made a surprise star appearance at a charity luncheon in Brisbane on Friday.

The A-lister and his wife were the guests of honour at an event held at the Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley that raised money for Queensland domestic violence charity Safe Haven.

We had a great function today. Such a great success on so many levels because of the contribution of so many wonderful people, and then this generous person turns up to put the icing on the cake. Thank you Matt Damon. pic.twitter.com/5EXOBYTGqB

— Safe Haven AU (@SafeHavenCom) May 7, 2021

Executive director of the organisation, Jaeneen Cunningham, said Damon and his wife came to the lunch to show support and educate themselves on the issues surrounding coercive control.

“He took the time to call in and have the lunch, and he was fantastic,” she said.

“I spoke to his wife and she said it was a fantastic thing that we were doing and they were more educated after the event.”

TV host Julia Zemiro, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, Maroons coach Paul Green and Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner were among the 200 guests at the sold-out event.

Overall, the Calile Hotel raised $169,000 for the Safe Haven organisation, which will go directly towards providing early intervention and housing for women and children.

The organisation focuses predominantly on homing victims of coercive control, which is an issue also currently under the political spotlight following the tragic deaths of women such as Hannah Clarke and Kelly Wilkinson.

To address the 45 per cent of homeless women who end up on the streets due to domestic violence, organisations like Safe Haven provide spare rooms in hopes of giving victims a chance to breathe again.

Ms Cunningham said that because Safe Haven receives no government funding, events like the luncheon are imperative in keeping women safe.

“The fact is that we save lives and bring down statistics,” she said.

Such a compelling and passionate panel discussing #CoerciveControl to 200 plus audience moderated by dynamo @julia_zemiro with @ShannonFentiman@larissawaters and @NourHaydarpic.twitter.com/ij0V5tYENN

— Safe Haven AU (@SafeHavenCom) May 7, 2021