The Australian Women's Register

In September 1920, graduate women in Sydney formed the Sydney University Women Graduates’ Association (SUWGA). Other states were quick to respond. The University of Queensland Women Graduates’ Association was established at a meeting in September 1920 and the Victorian Women Graduates’ Association in November 1920. During 1920-21, graduate women in South Australia and Tasmania indicated an interest in linking up with their interstate counterparts in the formation of the AFUW.

The AFUW was formally established at the inaugural conference held in Sydney in September 1922, which was attended by 75 women, representing every state except Western Australia. Mrs Frances Thorn of the Victorian association was elected as AFUW’s first President, with Mrs Muscio elected as Vice-President. The Western Australian Association of University Women was formed in 1923 and the Canberra Association of Women Graduates in the 1944. At its peak in the 1930s, the Federation’s membership was some 6500, representing the great majority of all the women university graduates then living in Australia.

Renamed in 2009 as the Australian Federation of Graduate Women, the AFGW is a longstanding member association of the International Federation of University of Women (IFUW). Miss Louisa Macdonald and Mrs Mildred Muscio were Australian representatives at the first IFUW conference, held in London in 1920, where the aim of the International Federation was laid out in the Constitution as being ‘To promote understanding and friendship between the university women of the nations of the world, and thereby to further their interests and develop between their countries sympathy and mutual helpfulness.’ Over the years, the IFUW has been involved in a number of initiatives related to improving the working and living conditions of women around the world. In addition to its involvement with women’s issues specific to Australia, the AFGW also adopts IFUW initiatives and applies them at a national level.

The version of the AFGW Constitution ratified in June 2013 sets out the following Mission, Vision and Objectives for the organisation:

Mission:
AFGW is the national voice of graduate women working for the advancement and wellbeing of women and girls through education.

Vision:
AFGW members view education as essential for:
– Empowering women
– Reducing poverty
– Improving health
– Supporting human rights
– Maintaining human security
– Building peace.

Objectives:
AFGW will unite graduate women in Australia to work in friendship, cooperation and understanding with each other and the IFUW network of sister graduates worldwide to:
– Promote equitable educational opportunities and lifelong learning.
– Improve the status and wellbeing of women and girls.
– Encourage women and girls to be active leaders and decision makers in all spheres of public and private life.
– Inspire and support women graduates to put their education and professional training to the service of the local, national and international community.
– Promote the Vision of AFGW amongst all people, irrespective of their gender, age, race, nationality, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation or other status.