From

1973
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Occupations

Social action organisation

Alternative Names

• National Council of Single Mothers and their Children

Website

http://www.ncsmc.org.au

Location

Torrens Building, 220 Victoria Square, Adelaide, SA 5000

Summary

The National Council for the Single Mother and her Child (NCSMC), established in 1973, evolved from the Victorian based Council for the Single Mother and her Child, which was formed in 1970 to advocate on behalf of single mothers and their children. Embracing the concept of self-help, it campaigned successfully for the introduction of a Supporting Mothers' Benefit, and supported single mothers who kept their children. The national body campaigned to abolish the legal construct of illegitimacy and to establish family courts to deal with affiliation proceedings and maintenance and custody rights. It continues to fight for the essential rights of all sole parent families.

Sources used to compile this entry: Charlesworth, S., 'Single mothers who keep their children', MA thesis, University of Melbourne, 1976, 312 pp. pp 202-7.; Swain, S. and Howe, R., Single mothers who keep their children: disposal, punishment and survival in Australia, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 1995, 264 pp. pp 49-70..