“From 1926-1943 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.” Quote from A Century of Challenge by Jean Seymour.

Using the same program as we do in Perth we have in the past taken our Holiday Clubs “on the road!”. We have visited Katanning, Bunbury, Bruce Rock, Wongan Hills and Esperance.

Our first “country” holiday program was held in 2013 in the July school holidays and we visited Bruce Rock and then Wongan Hills.  Little did we know that this would begin a wonderful time of connecting with children (and adults) in the rural centres on a yearly basis for some of them.  In the past few years we have just visited Wongan Hills and Esperance with other centres not having people to help us out in the town.

GFS BASKETBALL

Seniors

The first senior GFS team was entered in the West Australian Basketball Association competition in 1955. The team played at South Belmont, Doubleview Primary School, Leederville and Redcliffe State Schools. The main ground was Langley Park, but games were also played at Perth Boys’ and Girdleston Girls’ School each Saturday. Girls in the teams were coached by Mr Laurie Heil, who was a CEBS Leader at St Mary’s, South Perth, and they trained on the Mends Street tennis courts at South Perth. Following are details of the teams taking part:

1956         1 senior team           1 junior team

1957         1 senior team           2 junior teams

1958         1 senior team           4 junior teams

1959         1 senior team           4 junior teams

1960         2 senior teams         4 junior teams

1961         1 senior team             1 junior team

Juniors

Although GFS members from 15 years were able to play in the WA Basketball Association, there was no competition for the Sub-Juniors, 10-12 years of age, so GFS started its own and this continued with outstanding success for many years at the Anglican Sporting Association ground in Mt Lawley and other venues. The opening of the first season at ASA took place on 5 May 1962 with a colourful march past of over 100 girls in brightly coloured uniforms from the 15 GFS branches competing, with another branch joining in later. Miss Glenys Pickford (nee Waller) and Vivienne Waller and Rowena Clairs played a big part in the organising of this competition.

In the second year of the competition there were 17 GFS teams playing at the ASA grounds and eight teams at Fremantle. Approximately 200 GFS members took an active part each Saturday. In 1964 the CEGS were invited to share in the competition and in that year there were 23 GFS teams and five CEGS teams taking part at three centres.

In 1965 a change was made and instead of the inter-branch basketball matches a series of Lightning Carnivals were arranged during the winter at the ASA grounds. A separate competition was organised by Miss Ellaine Wright, a GFS leader at Millen (East Victoria Park) branch, with some CEGS teams playing in that competition. Lightning Carnivals were continued at the Matthews Netball Centre at Floreat Park when it opened. In 1972 there was a special inter-branch netball competition at Matthews Centre, when 16 teams took part and a squad of 20 girls was selected to train for the GFS Interstate Netball Carnival to be held in Adelaide in May 1973. 10 girls from the group were chosen in early 1973 for the team. The CEGS were also invited to take part and they had a junior and senior team and four leaders attending the carnival.

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