The Iconic Cloud House on Raglan Parade in Warrnambool, was designed and created by local Author and Artist Angela Seran Blue Aerth during the Covid era of 2020/2021. Along with pop-up art installations on the nature strip for Anzac Day and other events, Cloud House aimed to keep the community connected and smiling.

 

At the beginning of 2025 Cloud House began a new era, with the launch of Cloud House Therapies; Angela Seran Blue Aerth, a Leadership Great South Coast 2014 Alumni, is a highly qualified, registered and experienced multi-modality Therapist who has worked across various Sectors, including Disability, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Child and Family Practice. A qualified Counsellor and registered Fitness Professional, Angela brings a unique and creative approach to individualised programs, incorporating Art Therapy, Movement, Meditation and Sound. Along with Massage and Reiki, Cloud House Therapies works with Mind, Body and Spirit towards Holistic Wellness.Angela is dedicated and passionate about working with individuals, families and communities, to develop best outcomes and lasting, meaningful change.

 

Cloud House Therapies boldly launched, with no external funding, offering a Self-Funded Pilot program for women who have experienced violence and abuse. Grounded in the SharkCage® framework which aims to empower women through a strong Human Rights approach, the Cloud House SharkCage® program was delivered Free of charge, as Cloud House’s welcoming debut.

 

The SharkCage® women’s program at Cloud House is facilitated by two experienced and qualified Community Services Professionals. The Project Lead and Co-facilitator volunteered all of their time—contributing to session development, weekly group delivery, participant support, supervision, administration, and evaluation.Without hesitation, Cloud House Therapies opened with this free service for the community and covered the entire venue and incidental costs, administration, insurance, professional registration and focused all energy and effort into making this service available as a priority.

This initial program—costed at over $20,000—was provided by Angela Seran Blue Aerth, to ensure immediate support was available for women in need.A GoFundMe page led to Community support in the form of donations, which covered the costs of participant self-help books, Facilitator manuals and Mural materials.

Printed handouts needed for the program were generously available courtesy of Officeworks), and promotional exposure via local newspaper The Standard and community radio stations Coast FM and 3YB.

Angela is an accredited SharkCage® facilitator and our program is listed by SharkCage® https://thesharkcage.com/Our first program outcomes have demonstrated the effectiveness and value to participants.Program Framework – The SharkCage® Model:The “Shark Cage” program empowers women to identify and defend their rights, build self-awareness, and understand abusive relationship patterns. By using a powerful metaphorical framework, participants are supported to build emotional safety, develop healthy boundaries, and recognise early warning signs of unsafe behaviour.

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Key Objectives: • Understanding Abusive Relationships – Recognise unhealthy patterns and shark-like behaviours • Identifying and Defending Rights – Learn to assert personal boundaries and build safety • Building Self-Worth – Strengthen self-esteem and confidence • Promoting Healing – Process trauma in a safe and nurturing group environment • Preventing Future Abuse – Gain tools and awareness to make healthy future choices.

 

Outcomes and Impact – Summary of Program Benefits.

Women participating in the program build greater awareness and strengthened skills and knowledge:✔ Increased understanding of healthy boundaries and rights✔ Improved emotional regulation and self-esteem✔ Reduced social isolation and increased connection✔ Greater resilience and post-traumatic growth✔ Increased access to trauma-informed support networksLong-term Vision:This program fosters community safety, prevents intergenerational trauma, and builds empowered peer leadership pathways through mentoring.

 

Participant Testimonials

"The program taught me about abusive behaviours to watch out for and that we can continuously review and strengthen our safe boundaries based on our rights."

"It has allowed me to see hidden abusive behaviours I wasn’t observing before. I liked the visual representations of the learning, especially relating to our thoughts."

"This work is of prime importance in my life if I am to move forward well."

"The group helped me understand that I am worthy of protection and care. The space was warm and safe, and the facilitators were kind and authentic."

"I especially appreciated taking home the parts of the mural I worked on—it helps me remember the growth I experienced.""Please continue the Level 2 support—this is so needed for us to keep strengthening these skills in community."

 

Evaluation & Outcomes

– Pre/Post Program Scores :Participants were asked to rate 12 statements using a 7-point scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 7 = Strongly Agree). responses showed examples of growth across the measurement areas from all participants.

Knowing difference between healthy/unhealthy relationships

Setting boundaries

Communicating assertively

Understanding impact of abuse

Self-blame (reduction)

Self-kindness

Feeling connected to emotions

Self-worth

Body connection

Belief in personal rights

Recognising abusive/exploitative people

Self-care and wellbeing

The results reflected statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in self-worth, safety awareness, communication, boundary-setting, and trauma understanding.

 

Need and Rationale – Why This Program Matters in Victoria

Violence against women remains a critical public health and safety issue in Victoria: • 1 in 3 women in Victoria has experienced physical or sexual violence by someone they know • 1 in 4 women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner • 1 in 2 women feel unsafe walking alone in their neighbourhoods at night (VicHealth, 2015) • In 2023, over 57,000 intimate partner violence cases were recorded in Victoria—four out of five victims were women • Women in regional areas face additional barriers to accessing support, and have higher rates of repeat exposure to family violence (CSA, 2023) • Trauma from violence is the leading contributor to disability, mental illness, and homelessness in women aged 15–44Cloud House Therapies provides a unique and urgently needed local solution—one that is embedded in the community, led by qualified trauma-informed practitioners, and delivering proven results.