Background
1995 The Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre applied for funds during the 1994/95 year to establish what was originally known as the Mullumbimby Women's Information & Support Network (MWISN). It was funded during its first two years through the Upper North Coast Area Assistance Scheme in 1995. The funding included wages for one part-time worker. Its aims were described as "providing information, referral and support to women and their "families".
It was then and is currently funded through the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP) of the Department of Community Services.
1999 In 1999 the MWISN in conjunction with its auspice body, established the Mullumbimby Court Support Service (MCSS). It had become Mullumbimby Women's Service in name.The service provided a Court Support Service to women who were applying for Apprehended Violence Orders and attending court, and was largely delivered by women volunteers. The objectives reflected this additional service provision, by including "to empower women through enabling better access to the legal processes" in its documentations and reports.
2002 In 2002 The Legal Aid Commission established the Northern Rivers Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme, employing Assistant Coordinators across the region, including a Byron Shire worker. The Mullumbimby Women's Service no longer needed to provide court assistance, and for many volunteers, this was saddening.
2004 In 2004, the Women's Resource Service underwent review, and the focus changed to being both an information and support service, and a service involved in women's community development. The funding levels remained unchanged however, so funds enabled only one worker: a Women's Resource Worker. The service Aims and Objectives were clarified, and remain in place in 2008.
2005 Over the following years, the Women's Resource Service has become instrumental in organizing community events for women and children such as International Women's Day and Reclaim the Night. From 2005, the Sistaweb newsletter was launched, and regular editions were posted or emailed to interested women: a readership of 100 generally.
2007 In 2007, the Women's Resource Service was additionally funded through the Area Assistance Scheme to provide a specialist Domestic Violence Outreach program. Historically, domestic violence-related issues formed the dominant area of assistance provided by the Women's Resource Service. This funding has enabled the development of a specific program for women experiencing abuse; a program that could be provided in different townships across the shire; and enable the employment of a second part-time worker, the Domestic Violence Outreach worker. The Women's Resource worker became a Women's Resource Coordinator.
2008 This year the Women's Resource Service launched this website, enabling greater access to information for many women in our community.
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