Southern Women’s Group (SWG) is a dynamic, hardworking, feminist organisation that has been working since 1984 to empower women of the South Coast.
Our Vision
All women are safe, respected, empowered, and supported to flourish.
Our Mission
To provide quality services, support and advocacy that empower women on the South Coast to live free from violence and discrimination, and to achieve their personal goals.
Our Values
Respect
Equality
Justice
Learn more in our strategic plan – View Plan (PDF)
2024 Annual Report – View Here (PDF)
About Southern Women's Group
Southern Women’s Group actively focuses energy on creating opportunities for disadvantaged women of all ages and backgrounds and campaigning for equality and the end of gender-based violence.
Southern Women’s Group was founded in 1984 by a group of women concerned with the lack of services available for women in the Bega region. In 1985, SWG first received a grant from the, then, NSW Department of Youth and Community Services to assist in the running of a Women’s Resource Centre.
One area of identified need was support for women who were experiencing domestic violence and were seeking legal assistance through court ordered Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders. The Women’s Resource Centre organised a roster of seconded workers from local community services (Bega Women’s Refuge, Family Support Service & Southern Women’s Housing) to support women at Bega Court. This initiative was later recognised and in 1999 Southern Women’s Group first received funding support from Legal Aid NSW to provide the Far South Coast Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (SCWDVCAS). This service expanded over time to include courts in the Eurobodalla & Bega Valley Shire, and later the Shoalhaven area, so the service is now active from Nowra to the Victorian border.
Over time SWG has evolved to meet the changing needs of the women we support while maintaining its commitment to empower women by providing information, support, referral, education, and advocacy.
Today, Southern Women’s Group manages the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) and the South Coast Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (SCWDVCAS).
Meet the SWG Management Committee
Catherine Murphy
Chairperson
I am a passionate advocate for women’s issues, particularly in areas of domestic violence, women’s health and social justice. It...
Kerry Moore
Deputy Chair & Treasurer
I joined the Southern Women’s Group Management Committee in mid-2022. After moving to the Shoalhaven region and after a career...
Julie Klugman
Secretary
I joined the Southern Womens Group board about 6 years ago. I have a background in community engagement and management,...
Dr Linda Tucker
Member
I’m a recently retired human rights lawyer and former legal academic and journalist. I’ve worked in Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and...
Andrea Powell
Member
I have been a member of SWG since 1991. Originally from Melbourne, I moved to the NSW far south coast...
Adele Chadwick
Member
Nam interdum nisi id lacus lacinia, nec pharetra velit volutpat. Aenean a odio ut arcu consequat consequat eu et enim....
Joanna Donovan
Member
I am a proud Aboriginal woman from the Dunghutti Nation my mother’s Country, Kempsey NSW. I also have ties to...
Coral Anne
Member
I have been living in the Bega Valley since 1999, and an active committee member with SWG and the WRC...
Pru Leone
Member
I am a retired teacher of children with learning difficulties. I have lived in the Bega Valley for over 40...
Join Southern Women's Group
Southern Women’s Group encourages volunteer effort in our services. We direct this unpaid time and energy into the Management Collective as well as social action and advocacy to ensure local needs are met.
SWG annual membership is $2 or $10 includes the e-newsletter.
SWG is managed by a voluntary Collective, operating on feminist principles. Management meetings are held monthly on the third Friday and are open to all interested women. The SWG has Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance for members of the collective.
Why do women join?
- Sense of belonging
- Relationship with existing members
- Achieve something
- Giving back to our community
- Interest and commitment
- Loyalty
- Action
- Meeting people
- Make a difference
- Contribute ideas
Why does SWG need members?
- Community involvement
- Community ownership
- Community connection
- Community profile
- New ideas & strategies
- Advocacy
- Members to spread the word about our service
Interested in becoming a member?
Southern Women's Group is a registered charity
SWG is incorporated under the NSW Associations Incorporations Act 1984. It is also registered as an Income Tax Exempt Charity, and holds Deductible Gift Recipient status.
SWG has a user-friendly giving portal – a place where you can put your dollars to work to start building the kind of world you want to live in. By clicking on the link the site is designed to help you and us!