Our History
YWCA Hunter Region is an independent not-for-profit, member-based women’s organisation associated with the oldest and largest women’s organisation in the world – World YWCA – and YWCA Australia.
Since its inception in 1921, through the shifting cultural trends and societal pressures of the past century, the YWCA Hunter Region has responded to the social and practical needs of women and girls.
For women at critical times – students, working women, young brides, service women, mothers, and new migrants to Australia – the YWCA in the Hunter has provided safe accommodation for women and programs and activities for personal growth, well-being, and belonging. Clubs and activities for children and youth have promoted health and good citizenship at every stage of development, symbolised by the YWCA’s “triangle of happiness” – body, mind, and spirit in balance.
The YWCA creates opportunities for growth and the empowerment of girls and women at a local, national and international level.
As the YWCA in the Hunter has grown and changed over the years, its concern for women locally and globally has remained rooted in a Christian concern for humanity. There is a common vision across the Y of peace, justice, freedom, equality, health, dignity and advocacy for all through women’s leadership.
What began as the Young Women’s Christian Association of Newcastle is now YWCA Hunter Region.
We serve young and old, women and families, and people of any faith, with the aim of supporting, connecting and empowering women and families for a stronger community.
1920s
Early YWCA Board of Directors. Back row: Mis Viv. McDonald (3rd), Mrs. K.D. McDonald (4th), Mrs. J.K. MacDougall (8th), centre row: Mrs. Isaac Winn (President) (11th), front row: Mrs. Ida Douglas (last).
1921 Newcastle YWCA opens at 113 King St.
First hostel for women and girls opened in Thorn Street.
"The health of the body as well as the mind should be considered, and if girls are to benefit by nude bathing, then why not do it?" said Miss Johnston, secretary of the Newcastle YWCA. The advocacy by Sir Herbert Barker, the famous London surgeon, of bathing in the nude has been the subject of many discussions among Newcastle People.
Newcastle Sun, 25 March, 1924.
1930s
1934: Girl Citizens theme “A MODERN CITY”
1935: Girl Citizens theme “HEALTH – BODY – MIND – SOUL”. Girl Citizens are active in Newcastle and Cessnock.
“The period following the First World War saw new emphasis in the program of the YWCA. There was a new concern for wage-earning girls, with an increase in social service, educational classes and leisure-hour clubs. There was a developing program for the care of immigrants, travellers’ aid, hostels, and employment agencies. There was an increased interest in physical activities, gymnastics and public health were in great demand.” Chronology, YWCA Handbook, early 1970s.
Girl Citizens Club, Envision group meeting at Stockton, Congregational Church, 1932. (l. to r.) Mrs. Harris, Counsellor, Margaret McDonald, Elsie Seely, Mavis Foster, Evelyn Coleman, Jayce Parker, Elsie Parker, Lorna Waring, Heather Sommerville, Olga Boyd, Marjorie Boyd, Miss Mildred Dawkins, General Secretary, Newcastle YWCA.
1940s
The Red Room at the A.C.F. Y.W.C.A Leave House, Hunter Street, Newcastle, 1944.
In WWII, the YWCA established a leave house and canteen for service women in Hunter Street, and in 1942 opened its sandwich bar in a city arcade to raise funds for a new hostel, staffed by volunteers. Newcastle Herald, 2 February 1956.
“The present membership drive is laying a foundation for a solid post-war programme, framed to help women and girls find stability and fellowship.” Newcastle Sun, 28 September 1946
Post WWII: established English language classes to assist newcomers, clubs for overseas brides, and Business and Professional Women’s Clubs in the Newcastle area.
1950s
1956: Volunteer Staff Runs Successful Sandwich Bar.
An estimated 78,000 hours of voluntary work has helped make the Newcastle YWCA sandwich bar one of the most successful money-raising ventures in its history.
Miss Florence Christian said last night, “It doesn’t matter what happens to us in life, it is what we do with what happens that makes us what we are.” Miss Christian, who is Field Secretary for Training in the Y.W.C.A. was guest speaker at the Y.W.C.A. Dinner Club. ... Miss Christian advised girls to make as many friends as possible, especially in clubs, “to talk our troubles over and find relief.” Newsclipping, 13 April, 1954.
Junior Girl Citizens, picnic to Stockton Beach, January 1952. Anita Seemor, Carol Handel, Janice Kingsford, Pat White, Judith Allison, Ann Lamb, Binny, Merle Right.
The YWCA Hostel in Parkway Avenue, Bar Beach – Elizabeth House – was built in 1953 offering accommodation at reasonable rates. It also offered ‘wholesome lifestyle’ for ‘business girls and students’. Officially opened by the Governor (Sir John Northcott) in May of 1954, the hostel had already filled to capacity, with 64 girls in residence. Elizabeth House, named in honour of the Queen, was dedicated to the women who served in the armed services, industries and community during World War II.
1955: 100th Anniversary of YWCA movement, started in London, active in 67 countries.
“In all of them it has the same basic approach. Women’s worries are the “Y’s” worries, its leaders say. And everywhere, it has proved its genius for seeing a need first, and filling it.” Sydney Morning Herald, April 21, 1955.
1960s
Young girls enjoying exercise in the new gym.
“Youth Centre opened in Cook’s Hill. The large, well-equipped building which was formerly the home of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lucerne, is ideally suited for the activities of the “Y” but is already proving too small for the amount of interest which young people are taking.” ... In declaring the building officially open, the Lord Mayor Ald. F. J. Purdue handed the key to the Chief Girl Citizen, Thursa McIntosh.
YWCA, 24 Dawson Street, Cook’s Hill, before alterations to include the new gym, 1965.
Detail from fundraising appeal for gymnasium construction. The gym offered dramatically improved access to sports facilities for thousands of girls.
“Inadequate sporting facilities have long handicapped women’s sports in the district and it is time that the young women had a place of their own.” - Miss Muriel White, Executive Director of the YWCA.
“We want people to understand that it is just as important to prepare girls for well-balanced citizenship as it is boys, that their mental and physical good health is as important to the welfare of the community, that in attempting to fulfil the needs of young people in these trying times the YWCA is encouraging them to accept responsibility and exploit their talents for leadership.”
1961 Stats: 860 members. YWCA youth groups (Senior and Junior Girl Citizens and the Reserve Girl Citizens), the sporting clubs (hockey, basketball, tennis, foils and judo groups), women’s clubs (Newcastle Women’s Auxiliary, Hostel Auxiliary, Hamilton Mothers’ Club, Newcastle Mothers’ Club, Sarala Club, Young Wives’ Club), the YWCA Hostel Committee, thrift collections, Tapawingo Bramble Lodge holiday house committee, the abattoirs canteen and the sandwich bar committees, the Christmas Tree Festival committee, groups combined with the YMCA (senior and junior YY clubs), and the YWCA extension group at Wallsend.
“Leadership is in the hands of the young and there is a need for younger people to take an interest in the YWCA and similar movements... The genius of the YWCA is that it works largely through volunteers and since 1954 the enthusiasm of these people has given Newcastle a youth centre and gymnasium in Cook’s Hill and a girls’ hostel in Parkway-avenue, Hamilton. Newcastle is a city where the women work as hard as their menfolk and the YWCA is a tribute to this spirit.” Miss Muriel White, Executive Director of Newcastle YWCA, interviewed in the Newcastle Morning Herald, 19 September 1968.
“Are you bored with dreary housework? Do you feel that your brain’s greatest challenge is the weekly grocery list? Well, cheer up .... the Y.W.C.A. has set its sights on you.” Novocastrian, 1969.