The Southern Women's Group Inc., was founded in 1984 by a group of women concerned with the lack of services available for women in the Bega region.
Southern Women's Group Incorporated (SWG) first received, in 1985, a grant from what was then NSW Department of Youth and Community Services to assist in the running of a Women's Resource Centre. Since then we have continued to receive funding from the Department of Community Services. The Women's Resource Centre aims to empower women by providing information, support, education and advocacy.
The Southern Women's Group Inc., established the Women's Resource Centre, the Bega Women's Refuge, Southern Women's Housing and also helped establish the women's health programme in Bega.
As part of the ongoing commitment to women and as part of the Local Domestic Violence Committee, the Southern Women's Group were active participants in providing support to women seeking Apprehended Violence Orders. This support has been ongoing since 1992.
In 1999 the Southern Women's Group, with the support of other local services, were successful in applying for funds to the Legal Aid Commission for a co-ordinator for the Bega Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Scheme. This service was expanded in 2009 to cover the Far South Coast including Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay in conjunction with Moruya Women's Refuge. The service shares premises with the Women's Resource Centre and can be contacted on 6492 5002 or emailing bwdvcas@bigpond.com
In October 2009, the Women's Resource Centre and the Far South Coast Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme relocated to a house at 14 Peden Street, Bega.
