The Australian Women's Register

The Sydney Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded in 1882, at a meeting hosted by Mr Eli Johnson, a visiting American temperance lecturer. From 1884, other local Unions were started in suburbs of Sydney as well as in country areas of New South Wales. In 1890, a Colonial Union, to be known as the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of New South Wales, was formed to embrace the whole colony. The local Union, however, was to remain as the important unit of power.

The Union is primarily dedicated to promoting total abstinence from alcohol and other harmful drugs and all members sign a pledge to this effect. However, under its broader agenda of ‘home protection’ and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and in its belief that the dangers of alcohol could not be tackled in isolation, the group has pursued a very wide-ranging reform agenda mostly relating to the welfare of women and children. Importantly, influenced by its sister organisation in the United States, the Union became a major supporter of the campaign for women’s suffrage in Australia as it was believed that power at the ballot box was the only way to achieve their goals. While at its most influential in the years up to WWI, the movement continues today.

The first local Union in Queensland was formed in Brisbane in September 1885, inspired by the visit of Mary Leavitt, the world missionary of the American Union. Mrs W. Steele was elected first president. The following year The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Queensland was formed at the first Colonial convention. The Union is primarily dedicated to promoting total abstinence from alcohol and other harmful drugs and all members sign a pledge to this effect. However, under its broader agenda of ‘home protection’ and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and in its belief that the dangers of alcohol could not be tackled in isolation, the group has pursued a very wide-ranging reform agenda mostly relating to the welfare of women and children. Importantly, influenced by its sister organisation in the United States, the Union became a major supporter of the campaign for women’s suffrage in Australia as it was believed that power at the ballot box was the only way to achieve their goals. At its first meeting in 1886 various Departments of work were formed around Scientific Instruction, Sabbath Schools, Literature Distribution, Hygiene and Press. By 1890 the group had joined the campaign for women’s suffrage and a Suffrage Department was formed. While at its most influential in the years up to WWI, the movement continues today.

The West Australian Housewives’ Association was formed in 1920 for the purpose of protecting the interests of housewives. The final meeting of the Executive was held 3 April, 1984.

The Women’s Abortion Action Campaign was established in Sydney in 1972 as one element of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Its main focus was to mobilize support for the repeal of abortion laws, which involved primarily public meetings, demonstrations and conferences. It also lobbied members of parliament before elections and disseminated information about the legal status and availability of abortion.

The Society of Women Writers (Australia), Canberra Magazine Branch existed for four years, 1984-87. Upon the demise of the Branch, members joined the Fellowship of Australian Writers.

The World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, New South Wales Commission, Women’s Work Department was established to organise exhibits of women’s work from New South Wales to be sent to the Columbian Exposition.

The Women’s Voluntary National Register was set up under the Commonwealth Minister for Defence to encourage women to register their capacities for the particular service they wished to give in doing war work

The ANZAC Fellowship of Women was founded in 1921 by Dr Mary Booth, with the object of fostering the commemorative character of ANZAC day as an inspiration to future generations. Booth remained president of the group until 1956. In 1930 a London branch was also established. From 1931-41, and again from 1950, the ANZAC Festival Committee was established to emphasise the value of the Arts in helping to foster the ANZAC tradition. The group also established the Empire Service Club for Boy Settlers in 1923, which organised welcome parties for ‘Dreadnought’ boys and represented the first welfare work instituted for them.

The Women’s Abortion Action Coalition Melbourne, established in 1972, was associated with the Women’s Abortion Action Campaign Sydney. Using methods similar to those of the Sydney organisation, it held public meetings, demonstrations, conferences and lobbied members of parliament to campaign for support for repeal of the abortion laws in Victoria. The Women’s Abortion Action Coalition attracted the participation of the Socialist Workers’ Party (SWP) women and reached the stage where between 1974 and 1976 almost all the members comprised SWP members. After a socialist feminist day held in early 1978, a new WAAC group emerged in Melbourne.

The Society of Women Writers (Australia), was formed in 1980 with the five existing state Societies (in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania) becoming branches of this new national organisation. The Society’s main aim was to draw together women writers (including poets, journalists, playwrights, fiction and non-fiction writers) to support each other in their writing endeavours. It is also aimed to maintain the status of the writing profession, promote a knowledge of literature, and strengthen ties between Australian and visiting writers.

Australia’s first Society of Women Writers had been founded in New South Wales in 1925. During the 1960’s and 1970’s branches were established in all Australian states. The new national body was intended to coordinate activities across the country. It organised numerous seminars, conferences and writing competitions. In 2000 the Society was disbanded, and its branches reformed as independent, incorporated societies (the New South Wales branch having already done this in 1987).

The Society of Women Writers New South Wales Inc., established in 1925 and incorporated in 1987, is the longest-standing literary society in Australia. Dame Mary Jean Gilmore, writer, teacher and pioneer of many causes, is credited with initiating the Society (she was a member of its first executive committee).

The Society’s main aim was to draw together women writers (including poets, journalists, playwrights, fiction and non-fiction writers) to support each other in their writing endeavours. It is also aimed to maintain the status of the writing profession, promote a knowledge of literature, and strengthen ties between Australian and visiting writers.

The Society of Women Writers Victoria Inc. was formed in 1970 with the aim of drawing together women engaged in writing. By 1971 the society claimed 35 members and in 1973 it began producing its own newsletter. By 1974 membership increased to over 80. Initially affiliated with the existing Society of Women Writers in New South Wales, in 1980 a federal body, The Society of Women Writers (Australia), was formed with the state societies becoming branches. In 2000 the federal body was disbanded and the state societies became independent incorporated bodies.

As of 2004 the Society’s website described its aims and activities thus:
‘The main aim of SWWV is to draw together women engaged in the writing profession and to strengthen ties between women writers in Australia and overseas. SWWV seeks to do this by the regular conduct of: workshops, poetry and prose readings, seminars, conferences, book launches and literary competitions.’ It also runs postal workshops.

The Society of Women Writers Tasmania Inc. began in the late 1980s as a Magazine Branch of the Society of Women Writers (Australia), although a small group had been operating prior to this, possibly since the 1960s. It became an independent incorporated body when the national society was disbanded in 2000.

As of 2004, the Society’s website described itself as ‘an organisation oriented towards the art of writing in all its forms’ which aimed ‘not only help and support [women] in our writing endeavours but to reach as professional a standard as possible.’ They produce five Postal Magazines – Appleseed, Coffee Break, Overflow, Ripples, and Chrysalis.

In the early 1970s Elizabeth Furner founded the Brighton Writers’ Workshop from which the Society of Women Writers (Australia), South Australian Branch was formed in 1976. It promotes interest and skills in writing for women by regular meetings and workshops. It became an independent incorporated body, the Society of Women Writers South Australia Inc., when the national society was disbanded in 2000. The Society’s main aim is to draw together women writers to support each other in their writing endeavours, and various seminars, workshops and other activities are organised towards this end.

The Society of Women Writers Western Australia Inc. began in 1977 with five members as a Magazine Branch of the Society of Women Writers (Australia). In 1981, with a membership of approximately fifty, it became a full Branch, and it 2000 it became a
an independent incorporated body when the national society was disbanded. The Society’s main aim is to draw together women writers to support each other in their writing endeavours, and various seminars, workshops and other activities are organised towards this end.

The inaugural meeting of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association (AWPA), was held at the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales at Bankstown on 16 September 1950. Thirty-five women became charter members. Nancy Bird Walton, the catalyst for the formation of the Association was elected founding president, with Maie Casey wife of the Governor-General at the time, R. G. Casey, its patron. The aims of the Association include encouraging women to gain flying licenses of all types, maintaining pilot networks in state and local areas where women in aviation can meet and exchange information, promoting training, employment and careers in aviation and assisting in the future of aviation through public interest, safety and education. Full membership is open to any female pilot who holds or has held a pilot’s licence.

The Business Girls and Professional Women’s Club of Newcastle (later the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Newcastle, and then BPW Newcastle Club) was formed in 1931 with the stated aims of assisting the Young Women’s Christian Association and the community, and of stimulating thinking and increasing knowledge of current affairs. Its foundation president was Marjorie Mulvey, Initially its focussed on social activities and on social service – operating a Free Children’s Library and providing scholarships for under-privileged girls. Subsequently it devoted itself more specifically to issues relating to the status of women, particularly in employment. Like other such clubs, it was explicitly founded to provide a space for women’s networking, and to work for their professional interests.

The National Italian-Australian Women’s Association, established in 1985 by the founding president, Franca Arena, aims to recognise and promote the contribution of Italo-Australian women to Australian society. It has organised two international conferences in Sydney in 1985 and 1988, and published Forza e Coraggio/Give me strength (1989), a selection of Italian migrant women’s experiences.

The National Council of Jewish Women, South Australia Section was founded in 1929 due to the efforts of a group of South Australian women who had attended the first national conference of the Council of Jewish Women in Sydney in May of that year. They persuaded Fanny Reading, founder of the Council, to visit Adelaide in September to assist with this aim. Reading met with Mrs Isabella Solomons, wife of the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation President and herself president of the South Australian Women’s Zionist Society and who had formed the Adelaide Ladies Jewish National Fund in 1928. Solomons became the first president of the newly formed Section, remaining in this position until 1946.

From its earliest days, the Council in South Australia was concerned with both Zionist and community work. It raised funds for various Jewish causes and charities (both Jewish and some non-Jewish), as well as holding social events. After WWII, they sought to assist Jewish migrants arriving in South Australia and from the 1950s initiated various services for the aged such as meals on wheels.

A relatively small organisation, membership of the group has never exceeded 60.

The Council continues today as a non-profit, voluntary, organisation for Jewish women, acting for their advancement and for social justice generally.

The National Council of Jewish Women, Western Australia Section was founded in 1929, largely as the result of a visit of by Fanny Reading to Perth expressly for the purpose of amalgamating the existing Western Australia League of Jewish Women with the National Council. While this aim was not achieved, Fanny Beckler became the founding president of the Western Australia Section of the Council (the League continued for several years before disbanding). A Council Juniors was also formed. In its early days the Western Australia Section devoted itself to assisting Jewish migrants and then to war work. In the years after WWII, the Council organised more social events, undertook more fund raising and offered services for the elderly. The Council continues today as a non-profit, voluntary, organisation for Jewish women, acting for their advancement and for social justice generally.

The National Council of Jewish Women, Brisbane Section was formed in 1927 with Mrs E Isaacs as its founding president. Among the Section’s earliest activities were the formation of a Literary and Discussion Circle, and committees for Sewing, Hospital work, Catering, Entertainment, Immigrant Welfare, a Jewish Bush Book Club and a Girls Committee. As this indicates the Section encompassed a broad range of social, educational and welfare interests. They engaged in numerous fund raising endeavours, and concentrated on local philanthropic projects for both the Jewish and non-Jewish community. After the establishment of Israel, they also devoted their efforts towards support for the new Jewish State.

The Council continues today as a non-profit, voluntary, organisation for Jewish women, acting for their advancement and for social justice generally.

The National Council of Jewish Women, New South Wales Division was established in 1923. Originally called the Council of Jewish Women, in 1927 a national body (The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia) was formed and a separate New South Division of this organisation established.

Fanny Reading, the first president, immediately set about implementing service programs for the local Jewish community. An immigrant welfare committee was established, which was the first to provide any assistance for Jewish immigration in Sydney. Funds were raised for the relief of Polish Jewry. Other work included teaching Sunday Schools, visiting people in hospital, and assisting with other fundraising projects, both Jewish and non-Jewish, as well as social events particularly for Juniors. The Council in Sydney was particularly involved in supporting the Zionist cause and then with support for Israel. By the 1960s, it had several groups operating across Sydney and one in Newcastle.

Over its long history, the Council has been involved in an enormous array of issues, as well as charitable, educational and social activities. The Council continues today as a non-profit, voluntary, organisation for Jewish women, acting for their advancement and for social justice generally.

Established in 1927 by Dr Fanny Reading MBE, the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (Vic) provides community support to vulnerable people, promotes a harmonious multicultural society, works to advance the status of women and supports projects in Israel. Inspired by Jewish values, the NCJWA (Vic) aims to create a better world for women.

Programs the NCJWA (Vic) runs include:

• Caring Mums, a home-based, non-denominational free service that provides emotional support to mums of newborn babies and women during pregnancy.
• Empowering Single Jewish Women and Effective Relationship Programs, which aim to support single women to manage the emotional upheaval post separation and promote the development of positive relationship skills.
• Support for the elderly programs.
• Support for Women from the former Soviet Union.
• Interfaith Activities.
• Status of Women activities, which involves a commitment to promoting human rights through equality, access and equity for women and girls within the Jewish and broader communities.
• Support for Israel fundraising activities.
• Opportunity Shop activities.

The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Melbourne was founded in 1925 – the first such Club in Australia. Miss Nellie C Martyn, Managing Director of the Steel Company of Australia (later to become BHP Billiton) was elected Inaugural President. Membership was open to women holding a responsible position in professional, business, industrial or educational organisation, and to women giving distinguished service to the community. The initial purpose of the Club was to ‘give business and professional women the opportunity to meet in a friendly way and discuss questions of general interest to the community. Its more specific aims were soon defined as:
a) to develop a wider acquaintance between members of the community and to facilitate the exchange of ideas
b) to secure the recognition of the value to the community of women’s work and service
c) to obtain the active interest of women in the civic, social, political and moral welfare of the community.

It was explicitly founded to provide a space for (largely elite) women’s networking, and to work for their professional interests.
Subsequently it devoted itself more specifically to issues relating to the status of women, particularly in employment.
The Club continues to work to elevate the status of women generally, remove discrimination and to present the views of business and professional women to government. It still also operates to provide a space for women’s networking.

The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Sydney (later BPW Sydney Club) was founded in 1939 with Dr Constance D’Arcy as its first president. Its general aims were to promote the interests of business and professional women; to alert them to their responsibilities in their own country and in world affairs; and to raise or maintain standards of education for women.

Like other such clubs, it was explicitly founded to provide a space for (largely elite) women’s networking, and to work for their professional interests. It has also worked for equal pay and employment opportunities for women. The club continues to work to elevate the status of women generally, remove discrimination and to present the views of business and professional women to government. It still also operates to provide a space for women’s networking.

The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Perth (later BPW Perth Club) was founded in 1946, largely due to the efforts of Clara Behrend (an advertising executive) who had been a member of the Club in Melbourne. She organised a meeting at which some 30 women joined the new Club and the lawyer Margaret Battye was elected president. Membership grew rapidly, reaching 148 by 1958, but was only open to women who earned a salary or were self employed. Early members included teachers, nurses and hairdressers as well as business managers and other professionals.

Its activities were initially mainly social, but in the 1950s the Club took part in campaigns for equal pay, and also took an interest in broader social issues such as gambling, facilities for disabled children and new migrants, as well as fund raising for various causes. They became increasingly focussed on improving women’s working conditions and increasing their career prospects. It has campaigned on inequalities in superannuation and for affirmative action. It has investigated facilities for women returning to work and encouraged girls to take up non-traditional employment. Like other such clubs, it was explicitly founded to provide a space for women’s networking, and to work for their professional interests.