The Australian Women's Register

The Council was founded in 1905 at a public meeting addressed by Mrs Henry Dobson of Tasmania. Twenty-one societies joined; two of which are still active members. Mrs J.T. Bell was the inaugural President. Very clearly from its inception the Council “was a Council, not an organisation, to provide a common platform for work which is of interest to all, but may be beyond the scope and powers of any one organisation.”

Like all National Councils of Women, it operates though a standing committee system whereby specific issues are brought before the Council and, if there is general agreement that a question should be taken up, a subcommittee is established to investigate the matter. Some issues remained on the agenda for many years – peace and improved lifestyles for women and families, employment equality for women and particularly married women, women on juries, shopping hours, women police officers and so on. Other concerns disappeared as satisfactory outcomes resulted.

Organisations whose foundation owed much to the National Council of Women of Queensland include the Bush Nursing Association, the Family Planning Association, the Children’s Film and Television Council, the first Women’s College at the University of Queensland and Meals on Wheels.