Women's Archives and Libraries

The Australian Women’s Archives Program (AWAP), established in 1999 as the Australian Women's Archives Project, is a long standing collaboration between the University of Melbourne and the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW). It was created to build knowledge and recognition of the social, cultural, historical and economic contribution made by Australian women to public and private life.

Key to the AWAP strategy is the online, authoritative guide to Australian women and their records, The Australian Women’s Register: www.womenaustralia.info. The technical infrastructure to support this research infrastructure, and much of its content, was developed by research fellows in the University of Melbourne’s former eScholarship Research Centre. The Register is now located in the Digital Studio, where it is actively supported by the Faculty of Arts.

AWAP is an unique and authoritative resource for information about women in Australian history and society. The activities of AWAP include:

• Conducting original research and compiling information about women's history
• Making that information available on the web through the Australian Women's Register
• Showcasing groups of women including sportswomen, migrants, scientists and parliamentarians
• Encouraging Australian women and women's organisations to preserve their stories by depositing their records in archives and libraries for the use of further generations.

AWAP's work is constantly developing and improving as a result of the donations and grants given to the Project. AWAP does not repeat the work undertaken by others (such as the Australian Dictionary of Biography) but provides links to other sources of information and tools where funding permits. Many individuals and organisations have generously given financial assistance and support to the Project.