In early 1974 a women's conference was held in Sydney focusing predominantly on domestic violence. In 1975, limited grants were given by the Federal Government to groups operating women's refuges. In NSW these were Elsie, Marrickville, Blacktown, Betsy, Bonnie, Bringa and Wagga Wagga.

The demand on refuges grew and as needs increase they became crowded and priorities had to be made. Within a few years most refuges were accepting only women with children and only if they were escaping domestic violence. By about 1981, the first 'specialist' refuges had opened, the first being 'A Woman's Place' & 'Single Women's Refuge'.

These were for single women without children. It was clear that some women needed longer term support and some refuges began half-way house programs. The Emergency Accommodation Unit of the then Housing Commission provided surplus government houses at affordable rents. But, because there was no funding for support workers some of the programs were having real trouble. The stretching of workers to support other households became too much.

A group of women connected with the Single Women's Refuge were offered $50,000 for a half-way house program. The Collective took up this opportunity and developed the Women's Housing Co-op which incorporated as the Women's Housing Company. In 1983, these workers as well as other interested workers, formed the Women's Housing Initiatives Group, WHIG.

At about this time, concerned bureaucrats at State Government level organised an Interdepartmental Committee on Women's Homelessness. This committee joined forces with WHIG and included WHIG proposals in it's report. WHIG's successful proposal became the Women's Medium Term Housing Program.

In 1984, following a twelve month review of women's supported housing needs, 22 Women's Medium Term Supported Housing schemes were established. These were a direct result of identifying the urgent need to establish a medium term housing program to provide support for women post-refuge who were unable to cope living independently. One of the specific groups that were identified and targeted were, 'women in recovery from drug and/or alcohol dependency who were homeless and required supported housing.

In 1994 the funding of these schemes was transferred from the then Housing Commission, to the then Family and Community Services, under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

1986 saw the establishment of The Drug & Alcohol Women's Network Inc. at Minto, one of six 'specialist schemes'. It was funded for 21 bed-spaces with four workers. The first office was situated opposite the railway station above the shops. Approximately 1990, due to isolation factors and lack of visability for the service, a move was made to new office premises at Queen Street in Campbelltown. Unfortunately the Service out grew these premises as the support for the women and their children expanded. In 1995 the Service relocated to its current premises at 78 Lithgow Street, Campbelltown. D.A.W.N. Inc. has now supported single women, and women with dependent children, who are in recovery from alcohol and/ or other drugs for approximately 20 years and accepts referrals throughout the State. The Service's properties are situated throughout the Macarthur area and are sub-leased to women for a period of 3 to 12 months with extended stay.

During this time women receive a variety of support according to their self defined needs. Through their stay here it is hoped that they will become personally empowered, increase their self esteem, their relapse prevention and living skills, and regain the power and control over their lives to enable them to live independently in the community in safe, secure and affordable housing.

In 2008 D.A.W.N's Incorporated Management Committee became unconstitutional and the service was Auspiced by Marcia Women's Refuge. The Collective was no more.

Workers were proud to have been apart of the one of the last standing Collectives of all time, but have embraced the new structure and welcomes the new management.

Drug & Alcohol Women's Network DAWN is managed by the following:

• Deb Loades the Manager.
• Mandy Ral the Case Manager.
• Paige Della-Ca the Admin/Tenancy Worker.
• Cherrine Jarrett the Bookkeeper.

 They are committed to Feminist and Social Justice and Equality for all women.

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