Our History

ASWS has been providing services for women and children in the Central Australian region for over 30 years. The organisation was started by a group Alice Springs women who recognized that women and children need a safe space in the town. This was at the time when the Womens refuge movement was starting across the country and internationally. The Alice Springs Women Shelter started like many other refuges run by a small group of passionate, diverse community women. The first shelter was run by community volunteers and was located on Bath St. The Shelter moved to it's current site in 1989 after funding was found for a building and the town council released a special purpose lease. Throughout our history ASWS has been reliant on the contribution of volunteers. As a small non-government organisation we are reliant on women from the community contributing their skills and time the the Board of Governance to ensure the governance of the organisation is strong.