Early year's - 1940's
Some of the meetings’ early speakers were very interesting with some topics that still resonate with us today. Mrs How – Martyn’s addressed the club on 31st October 1940, on the ‘Women’s movement in England.’ She quoted ‘there will always be a rebel as the nucleus of progress’. In 1942 on 20th August, Miss M. Lambie gave a talk about the ‘Control of Venereal Disease in N.Z’. Miss Suckling on 1st October that year spoke about ‘The emancipation of women’.
Over time, there were a number of male speakers to the club. On the 15th October 1942, Mr Alex Marks, gave a talk on ‘The Soviet democracy’. Mr Orchiston (B. Arch.) spoke to the club on 7th March 1946 on ‘Slum Clearance’ in the Te Aro flat area.
On the 9th September 1943, the club had a general discussion on ‘Is there a youth problem?’ There was so much interest on the subject, another lengthy discussion was held at the next Club meeting. And on the 6th November 1947, Miss D. Wild gave a talk on ‘Women in Banking’.
On 7th October 1943 Soroptimist International Wellington began a local affiliation with the National Council of Women. This association continues to this day.
In 1944 Miss Mabel Howard M.P., was invited to join the club. A number of reminder letters were sent but it could not be established if she ever actually joined the club.
One of the more amusing pieces from the recorded minutes was of the 13th April 1944 meeting. Mrs Williams asked “if something could be done to liven up the programme as it had recently become very dull”.
During 1944, to raise funds for the club, a series of music recitals were held. At a meeting everyone was thanked for their work, a special mention was made of Mrs Mackay ‘who tried to be helpful’!
The establishment of an annual prize of £5 was made to Wellington Girls College in October 1945. This prize continued for some years.
With 21 members, but unable to find a suitable meeting place, the club went into recess on the 24th June 1948. By March 1949, the club was up and running again.
Over time, there were a number of male speakers to the club. On the 15th October 1942, Mr Alex Marks, gave a talk on ‘The Soviet democracy’. Mr Orchiston (B. Arch.) spoke to the club on 7th March 1946 on ‘Slum Clearance’ in the Te Aro flat area.
On the 9th September 1943, the club had a general discussion on ‘Is there a youth problem?’ There was so much interest on the subject, another lengthy discussion was held at the next Club meeting. And on the 6th November 1947, Miss D. Wild gave a talk on ‘Women in Banking’.
On 7th October 1943 Soroptimist International Wellington began a local affiliation with the National Council of Women. This association continues to this day.
In 1944 Miss Mabel Howard M.P., was invited to join the club. A number of reminder letters were sent but it could not be established if she ever actually joined the club.
One of the more amusing pieces from the recorded minutes was of the 13th April 1944 meeting. Mrs Williams asked “if something could be done to liven up the programme as it had recently become very dull”.
During 1944, to raise funds for the club, a series of music recitals were held. At a meeting everyone was thanked for their work, a special mention was made of Mrs Mackay ‘who tried to be helpful’!
The establishment of an annual prize of £5 was made to Wellington Girls College in October 1945. This prize continued for some years.
With 21 members, but unable to find a suitable meeting place, the club went into recess on the 24th June 1948. By March 1949, the club was up and running again.
