The history of GFS in Western Australia brings to life the members’ role in caring and serving within the Anglican Church and the community.  It is no t possible to list all the areas of concern where branches have seen a need and made a real effort to be involved, because it was often done quietly and without publicity. The support took the form of fund raising, the making of gifts and regular visits (including carol singing at Christmas and other entertainment). Branches often developed a special and long lasting link with a home or hospital in their parish and a warm relationship grew up between the girls and those they befriended. Amongst some of those helped have been:

• St Bartholomew’s, East Perth
• St George’s Hospital, Mt Lawley
• Moline House
• James Brown House
• Anglicare
• Daisy House (a branch of Anglicare in Girrawheen)
• Scarborough Hostel for Mentally Retarded Children
• Rowethorpe
  (Disclaimer: The names/terms above where the names/terms used back in 1988 and may not be currently used)

 

‘OPERATION NAPPY’ FOR ANGLICARE

GFS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Planning for the 1988 Centenary year of GFS in Western Australia began in  1985.  The first decision made was that a history should be written covering the 100 years and research was commenced by Mrs Jean Seymour in January 1986.

A Centenary Committee was formed in June 1986, with Mrs Joan Matthews as Chairman.  Those who worked with her to plan for the Centenary were Mrs Ruth Walker (Secretary), Miss Jan McNamara (Treasurer), Mesdames Alison Elliott, Brenda Ballingall and Jean Seymour, The Society owes a great deal to them for the work they did in the following two and a half years to make the Centenary celebrations so outstanding, The committee was assisted by member s of the Branch Committee in arrangements for the camp and picnic.

The decision about the events to be held was an important one and planning so far ahead was not an easy task.  It was decided that the main functions would be a Centenary camp, a dinner, a service in St George’s Cathedral and a picnic and fellowship day.

CENTENARY CAMP: 5-10 APRIL 1988

Deaconess Joyce Polson made an outstanding contribution to GFS Leader Training over the years from 1966-1972, both in her role as Diocesan Youth Officer and later as GFS Leader Training Officer. The training of Junior Leaders was being emphasised at this time and she had special skills in relating to these teenagers. This was a time of great development for the Society, both in numbers of branches and increase in membership and she was able to show by her training methods what a valuable asset the Junior Leaders were. In 1967 she had 35 Trainee Leaders at a weekend at Pt Peron and 23 of these were under the age of 19 years.

Deaconess Polson ‘decentralised’ her leadership training sessions and this made it easier for Leaders in outlying developing areas, who could not always attend the courses held in Perth. She very successfully combined the training of Junior and Senior Leaders in the same sessions and each age group gained from the other being present. 40 Junior Leaders attended the last training weekend that she organised for them.

1950 was another year of expansion, with the Organising Secretary continuing to widen the outreach of the Society. Apart from strong branch and parish involvement, there were many Diocesan functions in which GFS took a prominent part. The year finished on a very strong note with seven new branches and further big increases in membership. The results achieved by Miss Granrott were outstanding and set the Society on a further path of expansion. Miss Granrott married after her term of office was completed and continued to live in Western Australia. One of her daughters (Mrs Elaine Clark) was an active GFS leader and she also had three grandchildren in GFS.

In view of the tremendous growth in GFS over these two years, it was disappointing to the Society when another girls’ organisation, the Church of England Girls’ Society, (later to be known as CEGS – the Anglican Girls’ Society) was formed within the church about this time. It was not a ‘break-away’ group, but one that emphasised that all girls joining must be members of the Church of England.  Leaders in GFS were to be communicant Anglicans, but the Society has always been open to those of other denominations and those of no faith position and this has been a ‘missionary’ aspect of the Society that has brought many  people  into  the  Anglican Church.  As their pre-requisite of being Church of England (Anglican) was later changed by the CEGS, it meant that there were two organisations in the church with similar aims and programmes.

Over the years GFS held out the hand of friendship and involved the CEGS in some of its activities. There was also shared Leader Training and combined activities with the three uniformed groups – GFS, CEBS and CEGS.  In 1985 approaches were made to GFS from various levels in CEGS suggesting that they amalgamate with GFS, and it was decided to have a year’s trial of working closely together but each organisation keeping its own identity.  GFS was delighted to be involved in this way and shared all the Society’s latest literature and programming material with the CEGS and invited them to join in its annual camp and other activities. Some GFS branches took part in the CEGS Indoor Games competition. There was also a representative on each Society’s Committee. It was a year of enjoyable sharing, but at the end of it an amalgamation did not take place.  CEGS and CEBS no longer operate in WA but we are still in contact with some leaders from both groups.