Sydney University Women’s Association
(1892 – 1909)The Sydney University Women’s Association was founded in May 1892 by Louisa MacDonald. The aim of the Association was to bring ‘all women Graduates and Undergraduates together from time to time for social and intellectual purposes, and of taking cognizance of all matters affecting their well-being.’
Royal Australian Nursing Federation (Western Australian Branch)
(1924 – 1987)The Royal Victorian Trained Nurses Association (W.A. Branch) and the Australian Trained Nurses Association (W.A. Branch) amalgamated in 1924 to form the Australian Nursing Federation (Western Australian Branch). The prefix ‘Royal’ was obtained in 1956, but was removed again in 1987.
Labor Women’s Anti-Conscription Committee
(1916 – 1917)The Labor Women’s Anti-Conscription Committee was formed on 13 September 1916, in response to Prime Minister Bill Hughes’ attempts to introduce conscription during the First World War. The initial meeting, which was held at the Trades Hall, was attended by over 300 women. The aim of the newly-formed Committee was to ‘work in conjunction with the National Executive to fight against conscription of human life.’ Their campaign was to include house-to-house visits, literature distribution and factory mid-day meetings. Mrs Bella Lavender was elected president and Mrs Elizabeth Wallace as secretary.
After the conscription referendum on 28 October 1916, several members of the Women’s Anti-Conscription Committee formed the Labor Women’s Political, Social and Industrial Council.
A second Anti-Conscription Committee was established approximately six weeks prior to the second conscription referendum, which was held on 20 December 1917. Mrs M. Felstead was the president of the second Committee, and Mrs V. O’Brien the secretary.
Labor Women’s Political, Social and Industrial Council
(1917 – )The Labor Women’s Political, Social and Industrial Council was formed on 7 February 1917. After the successful fight of the Women’s Anti-Conscription Committee in the lead-up to the 1916 referendum, many Committee members felt that the loyal members of the Labor movement should form a permanent council of women. Bella Lavender – who was the first president of the Anti-Conscription Committee – was elected as the first president of the Council and Sara Lewis was appointed secretary.
Sydney University Women’s Union
(1914 – )The Sydney University Women’s Union was founded in 1914 to ‘manage the affairs of University women’. Their constitution was adopted by the Senate in 1915, but the Union did not start its work until March 1917.
This was the second group with the name ‘Sydney University Women’s Union’ at the University. The first Women’s Union was founded in c.1891 as the Sydney University Women’s Association. The Association was renamed in c.1910 to the Sydney University Women’s Union and again in 1915, to the Sydney University Women’s Council. This decision was made ‘in order to leave the latter name free for adoption by the new women’s organisation to be formed within the University.’
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – New South Wales Branch
(1920 – )The first New South Wales Branch of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) was formed by Isabel Swann and Amy Wilkins in Newcastle in 1920.
After ceasing operations in 1939, WILPF NSW was revived by Margaret Holmes in Sydney in 1959.
Australian Ladies Golf Union
(1921 – 1990)Sporting Organisation, Union
Although several Australian states had formed Ladies Golf Unions in the early 20th century, a national body was not established until November 1921. The Australian Ladies Golf Union (ALGU) was run by delegates from Victoria and New South Wales, with Western Australia having a proxy vote. The aim of the ALGU was to promote and organise women’s golf in Australia; a role which had been previously undertaken by the men’s Australian golf union.
Sydney Church of England Girls’ Grammar School
(1895 – 1995)Educational institution
The Sydney Church of England Girls’ Grammar School was opened on 17 July 1895 at 65 (now 55) Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. In 1901, with 100 students now enrolled, the school moved to its current location in Forbes Street, Darlinghurst.
In 1995 the schools name was officially changed to SCEGGS Darlinghurst.
Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Melbourne
(1875 – )Educational institution
The Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) was founded in East Melbourne in 1875. In 1938, due to overcrowding at the original site, a search was conducted for a new location. The property “Hethersett”, located in Burwood, was chosen and in 1939 the junior school moved out to the new campus. In 1958 the senior and boarding schools also relocated.
Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC), Perth
(1907 – )Educational institution
The foundation stone for the Methodist Ladies’ College in Claremont, Western Australia, was laid by His Excellency the Governor on Friday 8 November 1907. A year later the school was opened with 54 students enrolled under headmistress Miss Edith James.