General comments
You could approach this issue by investigating individuals, or by thinking in terms of non-government organisations and their interaction with government. Also refer to the general comments on finding records relating to women and children in PROV.
- Correspondence relating to the suffrage movement is registered within the control records to the filing system for the Chief Secretary's Department. For example, during the period 1865 to at least 1900 letters relating to women's suffrage issues in the Index to Inward Correspondence (VPRS 1411) can be identified by using a number of subject headings, including 'Deputations' (effectively women's groups seeking a meeting with the Chief Secretary on the issue), 'Chief and Under Secretary', and most importantly 'Societies'. Items can also be found under the subject and 'Private Persons' headings at the end of each alphabetical section within the Index for each year.
- There are a number of important women's organisations which undoubtedly corresponded with the Victorian government on a range of issues including suffrage and citizenship rights. These include:
- Melbourne Women's Political Association (1903) (formerly the Melbourne Women's Political League)
- National Council of Women (1902)
- United Council for Woman Suffrage (1894)
- Victorian Women Teachers Association (1918) (formerly the Victorian Lady Teachers Association)
- Victorian Women's Suffrage Society (1884)
- Women's Christian Temperance Union (1885)
- Women's Electoral Lobby (1972)
- Women's Progressive League (1900) - also involved in the development of factory legislation, and had links with the labour movement and the socialists
- Young Women's Christian Association.
- Check the Australian Women's Archives Project Register for more information on these organisations, and refer to the general comments on finding records relating to women's issues (organisations) in PROV.