Welcome!
GFS is a Not for Profit Organisation made up of people belonging to a Christian community locally, nationally and globally.
We seek to provide or support ministries to children, youth, families and adults in a safe and accepting environment where Christ’s love is evident.
We have been part of the West Australian Community for over 130 years and have engaged with many children and adults during this time. Last year GFS celebrates a wonderful milestone of 130 years of ministry to women, girls, men and boys in Perth. Since 1888 friendship, support and a listening ear have been part of the GFS DNA as we’ve sought to live out the GFS motto to “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 6:2
On the 1st January 1875, Mary Elizabeth Townsend established the Girls’ Friendly Society in England (now you know why our premises at 240 Adelaide Terrace are called Townsend Lodge. Come and pay us a visit, we have some really interesting memorabilia in the office along with a welcoming smile and cuppa). GFS was a pioneer women’s organisation, the first of its kind in the world. The members saw a need to befriend, mentor and support many of the younger women who were leaving their rural homes and communities to find work in the cities.
Here in Perth GFS welcomed migrant girls to the city by providing them with accommodation as they settled in and found employment. In time we branched out to provide Townsend Fellowship, children’s groups, Holiday Clubs, Camps, Mainly Music groups, Mother & Daughter High Teas; and more recently Dads N Lads BBQs, Pamper A Nanna, the Advent Festival, our group for 15-35 year olds GFS Next Gen and our newest initiative “Blessed to be a Blessing Dinner”.
Our organisation partners with other community organisations to help others outside of our own community. MORE
We have many programs, resources and games that we can help you to get your own children’s ministry group established. MORE
Dating back to the beginnings of GFS, women’s ministry has been a vital part of our ministry to this day. We have a lot to offer why not see what could suit you. MORE
Youth
If you wish to become a part of our NextGen GFS group this this is the place for you. Come along and be part of the team, become a member or just attend one of the events they run. MORE
GFS Outside Perth
GFS is not just in Perth! We are part of a National and Global organisation and always are happy to welcome new members. MORE
Who Let The Dads Out?
GFS is proud to be working with Who Let the Dads Out? in the UK to offer help and resources to get your WLTDO? group here in WA off and running. MORE
Upcoming Events
Blessed to be a Blessing Ball
Saturday, 14th September 2019
6.30pm – 11.30pm
HOLIDAY CLUB
Tuesday 1 October – Friday 4 October 2019
HOLIDAY CLUB
(Esperance)
Tuesday 8 October – Thursday 10 October 2019
GFS Perth Calendar
Check out what is happening in GFS Perth by looking at our calendar below
From The Blog
Monday Memories – Links with GFS and Perth Orphanage, Swan Homes
There was a long association between GFS and the girls of Perth Orphanage from the time it was in Adelaide Terrace until the girls moved in 1942 to join the boys at the Swan Orphanage because of wartime bombings in the north of the State. The name was then changed to Swan Homes. It became a tradition in the 1940’s for the girls to be invited to a Christmas party at GFS Headquarters and this was organised over a long period by Mrs. Margaret Moore (the wife of the Dean), who was the President of GFS at the time. She was assisted by members of the Orana club and the House Mother at Headquarters, as well as leaders and members from the branches. The hall was always gaily decorated and the paper hats and sweet baskets were made by the helpers.
As the Headquarters building was near the corner of High and Pier Streets, it was only a short walk to the Deanery after the party tea, to play games on the lawn behind the Deanery during the years that Mrs Moore lived there. Then it was back to Headquarters for a concert before they returned home. They were up to 60 girls from Swan attending these parties and there was usually 2 members from each branch there as well. For many years the little visitors were given gift as well as sweets before they left. However as they received many gifts from organisations at Christmas, it was suggested that branches arrange to send a birthday gift to each girl instead and also keep in touch by writing . This was done for a long time and built up many friendships.
Some of the girls from Swan homes the GFS Lodge their home when they commenced work and Mrs Viva Sundercome, who was later to receive the MBE for her work on the Anglican Orphanages Board and for her work with GFS, started a fellowship club for them at GFS Headquarters. Some moved to the country and she kept in touch with them by letter.
When Swan Homes became Swanleigh in 1960, with a role as school hostel instead of an orphanage, the Christmas party became one for the girls from Parkerville Children’s Home, some of whom had actually been invited to parties before. The Orana Club and the House Mother continued to organise these with the help of Headquarters Townsend Members as well as leaders and GFSers
For more information on Swan Homes you can go to https://buff.ly/311zjz2
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Monday Memories – Part 1 – The GFS Caravan
From 1926 – 1943 (17 years) a ‘little house on wheels’, as the children called it, travelled through the outback of Western Australia, bringing friendship, comfort and the message of the Gospel to the settlers, and a special ministry to their children.
The story of the GFS caravan, which pioneered mission outreach by van in this State to isolated farms and little town, is one of great personal faith and incredible bravery on the part of the women who drove the van and accompanied the driver – travelling through the heat of summer and the bitterly cold, wet winters on roads that were more often than not just bush tracks, with corrugations, rocky surfaces and deep ridges worn by carts.
They found themselves bogged in mud in the winter and facing fallen trees, floods and other hazards. Under the rough conditions, mechanical breakdowns were frequent and very often far away from any help. The women who drove the van soon became, by necessity – very proficient at ‘running’ repairs.
Amongst those they visited were settlers on the Peel Estate and the Group settlement areas of the south-west; people who had come from England to start a new life after World War 1 – the majority without any farming experience and with only enthusiasm and an axe to get them on their way. By 1926, 10,000 immigrants had moved into the Group Settlements in the south-west. A large proportion of the Group Settlers belonged to the Church of England. This placed a very heavy responsibility on the church in WA. The GFS was enabled to help through its van.
But how did GFS become involved in this way?
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Au2ebJm4-bVkgvAJShzXyQbk-_1afg?e=SNCZoD
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23
Aug '19
Blessed to be a Blessing Ball
23
Aug '19
ONE MONTH TO GO!!! Come and join us at our Blessed to be a Blessing Ball https://buff.ly/2NfTIMS $80 per person (includes a 3 course meal – alcohol available for purchase at a cash bar) Photobooth fun and a DJ to dance the night away 
So get your dancing shoes on and get a ticket today – why not grab some friends and get a table of 10 together
Read more...
Want To Become a Member?
There are lots of ways to be involved with GFS in Perth. Head to the link below
to see how you can get involved today!
to see how you can get involved today!
Verse of the Day
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:3-4 
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Powered by BibleGateway.com.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Powered by BibleGateway.com.