Our History
The beginning
Rooted in friendship. Growing through generations.
GFS began in 1875 in England, founded by Mary Elizabeth Townsend; a bold social reformer who saw a need and stepped in with compassion. During the industrial revolution, thousands of young women moved from rural areas into cities for work. Isolated from family and support, they were vulnerable to exploitation and loneliness.
Townsend created the Girls’ Friendly Society to meet them with mentorship, friendship, and practical help. Trained volunteers, called “lady associates,” offered support and guidance, becoming some of the first informal mentors in the charity world. By 1880, Queen Victoria had become Patron, and by 1900 the movement had grown to over 150,000 members across 1,350 branches in the UK, supported by a staggering 33,000 volunteers.
GFS Comes to Western Australia
The GFS story made its way to Western Australia in the 1880s, brought by associates from England. In 1888, our official charter was signed, making GFS Perth one of the state’s oldest continuously operating organisations. From the start, our mission was deeply practical and deeply personal: to welcome, house, and support migrant girls as they arrived in a new land, often alone and unsure.
By the mid-20th century, GFS Perth was also providing emergency accommodation to young women in need, including those under state care when no other options were available.
Changing With the Times
As the world changed, so did we. GFS Perth has proudly participated in countless community initiatives over the years, from the Share the Dignity campaign to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and from local acts of kindness to global justice movements.
In 2021, we sold our final city-based property to begin a bold new chapter. We’re now growing something new in Perth’s northeast: Friendship Central, our emerging hub in West Swan, is designed to serve a new generation of people looking for connection, meaning, and community.
Our history is full of brave beginnings and heartfelt service but our eyes are firmly on the future.
Because friendship, at its core, never goes out of style.
