AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S CLUB

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 22

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S CLUB

Growth of the Movement

Miss Viola Smith, former president of the American 'Women’s Club of Shanghai, writes in the “General Federation News,” the official organ of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in American, on clubhouses in Australia. “Australia.” she says, “that great island continent in the South Pacific, as large in area as the United States, is finding its women expressing themselves through a similar movement (that of clubs). From east to west —Sydney to Perth; from north to south—Brisbane to Melbourne and Adelaide—women’s clubs are housed within suitable quarters according to the individual taste and demands of the respective clubs. “In Melbourne the Lyceum Club, though non-residential, maintains a well and comfortably equipped home, including restaurant facilities, on the top floor of one of the prominent bank buildings. The Quamby and the Alexandria Clubs, social and residential, contribute their wealth of comfort to the club women and visitors of the city. Adelaide, the .State capital of South Australia, has for its residential club the Queen Adelaide Club; with the Lyceum Club maintaining small but attractive rooms, including tearoom rcrvice. The Brisbane Won in’s Club of Queensland, now over 20 years old, with a membership of 400, likewise has spacious yet simple club rooms with tea service for its members. In far off Western Australia, at Perth, the Karrakatta Club acts as the residential club for women, while the Women’s Service Guilds and the Australian Federation of Women Voters have but recently moved into extensive mm-residential quarters to serve the needs of their own as well as smaller organisations. Numerous other evidences • are to be found throughout the Commonwealth of the facilities offered by the Housewives’ f eague, the Country Women's Association. the Woman's Non-Party Association and many other organisations. “Sydney, as in most things, stands apart in club achievement. Not only is the Women’s Club of Sydney the oldesl one. but so far the only club in the Southern Hemisphere to finance and huild its own club home. The vision and foresight of its members rank I’igh w'th the club achievements of Amerivn women.

“Founded in 1901 by a small group of university and other women, at the instance of Dr. Mary Booth, it has grown from a membership of 100 with two tiny rooms to a club of 900 housed in its own seven-storied abode. During its 21st year—upon its ‘coming of age’—the finance committee seriously embarked upon the task of securing a permanent building. Small sums of money set aside in previous years became the nucleus for the enterprise. A favourable site opposite H-i’c Park, now greatly enhanced in vaiuc, was chosen. Within one month’s time the necessary deposit of £OOOO was subscribed in £lO debentures carrying interest at 5 per cent. The purchase of the property was completed by a second issue nt 7 per cent. A six-story building on foundations calculated to carry twelve

was begun, financed by a 20 years’ builiting loan, repayable in half-yearly instalments. The finance committee finds gratification in the knowledge that from the day of entering their new home—December, 1924—a1l financial obligations in the matter of interest and principal duo the blinks and in its club members, have been promptly discharged. Moreover, mainly through the enthusiasm and energy of the present president, another floor containing a large lounge, a roof garden, card room, and staff rooms has been added. “The building at present consists of 7 stories—-the lower three being rented for revenue purposes; the four upper floors being utilised for club purposes.. Following the charming English custom of naming homes, the building is known as “Beaumont House,” in honour of the club’s first president—Lady Beaumont, an American woman, the wife of the then Admiral of the station. To her also the club owes its unique composition—British women’s clubs in those days did. not run to departmental lines.. It combined the purpose of fellowship in literary, artistic and scientific pursuits—the basis of similar English clubs —with the broadening effect of an enthusiasm for social service so characteristic of the women’s clubs of America. The first of the club’s inner circles, still in existence —the Tuesday Club—was started by her, having for its object the enlightenment of members by means of general discussions in literary and topical subjects. In addition to the Tuesday Chib Circle the Women’s Club has a Music Circle and a Civic League. The Sydney . University Women Graduates’ Association, and the Professional Women Workers’ Association are likewise identified with it. “But interests are not narrowed to local enterprises. It has striven to further friendly relations both nationally and interinationally. Reciprocal relations have been established with 23 clubs in the Australian States, New Zealand, England, France, China, and America. “Sydney is also the home of many other clubs, residential and non-residential, though no other women’s club owns its building. The Queen’s Club, the Lyceum Club, the Feminist Club, and several others are all well located in rented quarters. “American club women travelling m the Southern Hemisphere will find a welcome awaiting them not only at the Sydney Club which has established reciprocal relations with United States.clubs, but at many other women’s chibs throughout the Australian Commonwealth.”

A recent cable from London advises that black is very popular for the tailored suit of to-day. Of course it is important that it be relieved with a colour to suit the particular wearer, cut on simple slimming, lines, and made of the highest quality, it .will give satisfaction. Cooper’s, Costume Specialists, have just landed per s.s. Argyllshire, a shipment of black in the very latest materials, suitable for coats and skirts. Samples and quotations by post. Coopers, Ltd., Box 226, Wanganui.—Advt