Mrs O. Mitchell Elected Y.W.C.A. President

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 2

Mrs O. Mitchell Elected Y.W.C.A. President

Mrs Owen Mitchell was elected president of the Christchurch Y.W.C.A. at its annual meeting last evening. She will succeed Miss C. E. Robinson, who is retiring.

Mrs Mitchell has a distinguished record of service with the Y.W.C.A. She has been a member of the board of directors for 12 years, served on the general committee for a number of years before that and is a member of the Latimer Hostel committee..

She was president of the Bryndwr League of Mothers for four years and is interested in the women's organisations connected with the Bryndwr St. John's Methodist Church, as well as being a member of the Ham Garden Club. Introducing her last annual report as president of the Christchurch Y.W.C.A., Miss C. E. Robinson said that the last year had been one of great vitality “We have a job which has to be done and one which we want to do,” said Miss Robinson. “We can rejoice that it is an essential part of community work, giving us the deepest satisfaction. “This year.” said Miss Robinson, “more and even harder work is called for in order that new growth may be fostered. Our clubs need more leaders “We need more staff, more room, more money, more voluntary helpers. There is no more urgent work than the social education of the boys and girls who are leaving school and facing employment and marriage.” Miss B. J. Hardie, general secretary of the Christchurch Y.W.C.A , paid a tribute to Miss Robinson's work. “All have been grateful.” she said, “for so wise a president, whose gentle and firm administration and unshaken belief in the worth of the Y.W.C.A. have increased the confidence and roused the zeal of members.” Y.W.C.A. Clubs

The clubs within the Y.W.C.A. continued to flourish. Colombo Plan students found at the Y.W.C.A. a place where they were quite at ease. They supported many of the clubs enthusiastically. “We are pleased to note that there is an increase in the ‘family’ atmosphere among some of our clubs, particularly in the fencing club, where the older members are very patient in their instruction of the juniors,” said the programme secretary (Mrs B. White). ‘‘The sports clubs have all proved very popular this year.” The teenage club for high school girls had been growing rapidly and had produced a number of very fine junior leaders. The dance club was very popular. A disturbing trend of the last year had been the decrease in the number of associate Y.W.C.A. members, although the membership of clubs within the movement continued to grow. In the annual report it was noted that a membership drive seemed necessary both to recruit new members and also to interpret the Y.W.C.A. to some members who perhaps needed to be reminded of its purpose.

The finances showed steady gowth but an increase in donations had been offset by a serious

decrease in membership fees. Once again, the need for a campaign to recruit new subscribing members was pointed out. It was reported that the travel talks had proved extremely popular and that the number had been increased from six to 10. The June “Open House” had been a great success and it had been particularly gratifying to see so many friends and parents of members present. The number of Colombo Plan students who had attended the four week-end camps at Spencerville had been heartening. These camps, the first of their kind, had been very successful. The summer camps, also at Spencerville, and the stay-at-home camps in the holidays had been booked to capacity. Fencing Membership

The fencing club reported that membership had grown. Excellent equipment and facilities were offered for reasonable fees. A team from the Y.W.C.A. had met a Christchurch Boys’ High School fencing team, the match resulting in a draw. Members were beginning to acquire their own equipment. ■, The dance club reported another successful year, with an average attendance of 50. The only problem facing the club, which had acquired a good collection of records, was a shortage of girls. The secretary reported that the club’s friendly atmosphere was thoroughly enjoyed by all its members. The badminton club had an excellent season, finishing third in the B grade competition. The judo club, teenage club, school girls' club, art class, basketball, keep fit and extension clubs at Hornby all reported successful years. Only the table tennis club reported any decrease in interest.

The Y.W.C.A. Hostel in Latimer square continued to fill a need by supplying accommodation for girls over 20 living away from home. Nearly 60 girls were accommodated at the hostel and most of them were permanent residents. New candlewick bedspreads had been purchased and plans were in hand for the redecoration of the bedrooms and the installation of built-in furniture. Latimer Hostel residents had given £5 to the Western World Refugee Fund. The following members were elected to the Board of Directors:—Mesdames A. F. Bryant, G. Guy, H. Kennedy, N A. McLeod, J. A. White and G. R. Burrowes; the following were re-elected, Mesdames W B Gracie and A. L. Sutherland.

During the evening, Miss H. K. Lovell-Smith presented Miss Robinson with a bouquet.

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