Mother opens ‘Jari’s Place’ Huonville refuge for men and children in honour of late son

“I didn’t realise how much the town would wrap their arms around it.” A grieving mother has opened a “safe haven” for men at Huonville, and has been astonished by the response.

Faith Tkalac has opened "Jari's Place" in Huonville – a refuge for men and their children who have fallen on tough times. Picture: Chris Kidd

Faith Tkalac says she was at her lowest point when she made a decision “not to move on, but to look forward”.

The grieving mother had been through hell since her “absolutely beautiful” son, Jari Wise, a father-of-two who was struck dead at Huonville by a car driven by his girlfriend in February 2020.

Ms Tkalac ended up spending time as a hospital inpatient at a mental health unit.

But it was during this time that an idea came to mind.

The idea was to create a free “safe haven” at Huonville for regional men to stay at, to spend time with their children, and to get back on their feet after a period of doing it tough.

“At my lowest, Jari’s Place was borne,” Ms Tkalac said.

She used her time in hospital to write up a business plan for Jari’s Place, spending a leave day printing a hard copy on the nearby Officeworks.

Faith Tkalac outside Jari’s Place at Huonville – a safe haven for men named in honour of her late son. Picture: Chris Kidd

In January this year, Ms Tkalac signed a lease on a cosy two-bedroom apartment on Main Street, Huonville – with the hopes of helping men who were struggling.

The site has previously been used as a hairdresser, a tattoo parlour and a dentist before it was converted to an apartment.

It is now emblazoned with a sign saying Jari’s Place in the colours of the Aboriginal flag, in recognition of Mr Wise’s Indigenous heritage.

Six men have so far stayed at the safe haven, including three with children, and Ms Tkalac says the feedback so far had been overwhelming.

“The last man reminded me very much of Jari … he had tears in his eyes with his thanks,” Ms Tkalac said.

She also said one man who stayed at Jari’s Place some time ago had since “landed on his feet”, and donated back $1000 to help others in the future.

Ms Tkalac is footing the bill herself for the $700 a fortnight in rent and electricity bills – but said she’d been thrilled by the huge amounts of donations and support from the Huonville community, and from further afield.

She said she’d raised money from regular raffles, plus donations had come in from organisations like the Bendigo Bank, and the Huon Valley Council, which had provided whitegoods.

“The greatest thing is that the community has really gotten involved and gotten behind Jari’s Place, and it’s actually become part of the town,” she said.

She said whenever a “new gent comes to town”, she would put out a call out on social media for donations – with the local community helping fill the fridge, cook homemade meals, and provide toys, games, Lego and clothes.

Jari Wise, 26, died at Huonville in February 2020 when he was struck by a car driven by his girlfriend, Melissa Oates. Picture: Facebook

Ms Tkalac said anyone staying at the house would remain anonymous, with people delivering their donations via her so Jari’s Place could remain “a sanctuary”.

She said while the men who stayed at Jari’s Place may have made mistakes in their past, within reason, “everyone deserves a second chance”.

But Ms Tkalac’s plans to “look forward” don’t end there.

She’s currently working with lawyers after a coronial inquest into Mr Wise’s death.

Mr Wise’s girlfriend, Melissa Oates, served jail time for dangerous driving, but was not charged with causing Mr Wise’s death.

Ms Tkalac said she would like the case looked at again, given a recent coronial finding that there was no evidence her son jumped in front of Oates’ car.

In the meantime, her plan is to continue helping men, particularly dads in need, with Jari’s Place.

“I didn’t realise how much the town would wrap their arms around it,” she said.

“I actually can’t come here without someone saying, ‘I’ve got a bag of Lego or I’ve got men’s clothes – where can I donate?’ Everyone just really loves the idea of it.”

To donate or find out more, visit jarisplace.com.au

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