ANNIVERSARY OF GUILD

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32612, 21 May 1971, Page 5

ANNIVERSARY OF GUILD

The Greymouth TownsWomen’s Guild has been celebrating 25 years of service this week. A luncheon was Yield, followed by a reception in the Greymouth Catholic Women’s League rooms for invited guests. The Greymouth guild was formed shortly after World War 11. The first meeting was held in Harker’s Lounge in Mackay Street and was addressed by a Mrs LovellSmith, of Christchurch, who was Dominion federation organiser.

A second meeting was held and a committee and officers were elected.

From this meeting the first circles were formed—play reading (later called drama), garden, hospital visiting, bridge, and homecraft.

The guild was formed because it was thought there was a need for some organisation to keep together those who had banded together to help with the war effort. One of the first problems was to find a suitable meeting room and Harker’s Lounge was finally decided upon. Subsequent meetings were held in the St John Ambulance Hall and for three months in 1954 histoiy was made by holding meetings in a hotel. The present meeting place is in Wesley Hall. SUCCESS

The first year was an outstanding success and during the second year a farewell function was arranged for Mrs F. A. Kitchingham the retiring Mayoress who with her husband had served for 9 years and a half. That same year two of the guild’s members, Mesdames O. Pearson and E. Parfitt, were elected to the Grey Hospital Board. Through the Save the Children Fund the guild adopted a Greek child and this necessitated raising money and sending food parcels. This was continued and letters exchanged for many years.

- In 1948 the guild started Arbor Day activities, and later when help was needed for financing the War Memorial swimming pool the guild held a one-day carnival which resulted in the raising of £67 10s which with a subsidy realised £134.

During the Royal visit in 1954 the guild was responsible for the floral decorations of the Royal dais and the Council Chambers where the Royal party were guests at morning tea. Having been elected to the dominion council four years

previously, Mrs A. L. McKay, of Greymouth, was elected dominion president of Townswomen’s Guilds from 1961 to 1963.

Mrs Mckay, who had been minutes secretary for three years and vice-president for one year, was made a life member after she had presided at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Dominion federation.

She is the only West Coast woman to have held a seat on the Dominion council. -Mrs Mckay is also a Justice of the Peace.

Members of the Greymouth guild have held important positions on other organisations. Mrs O. Pearson, Mrs Parfitt, and Mrs E. Kelly, have served on the Grey Hospital Board. J-

Mrs Parfitt was chairman of the board for many years, and was president of the Greymouth branch of the Plunket Society. PLUNKET POSTS i Mesdames Kitchingham, Parfitt, and Gillespie served on the Dominion Plunket Council. For many years Mrs D. Thomas was a member of the Greymouth High School Board, and Mrs H. A. Jefcoate was president of the Women’s Auxilary of the Returned Services’ Association. Mrs Parfitt and Mrs Kelly have both been awarded the M.B.E. - Five foundaton members. Mesdames Mckay, Parfitt. J ' Steel, Thomas, and L. Wicks 'are attending the celebrations