Geelong buildings of significance to women in Geelong: Geneva House

32 (3 Flats) Myers Street, the former Presbyterian Residence, now Geneva House

From 1915 to 1973 this building was a YWCA hostel , described as “ a home away from home for the spiritual welfare of girls.”

Link here to Google Map of its location:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=32+Myers+St+Geelong&hl=en&ll=-38.150572,144.354837&spn=0.016317,0.024633&client=firefox-a&channel=s&hnear=32+Myers+St,+Geelong+Victoria+3220&gl=au&t=m&z=16

Elizabeth Austin

1890s. Elizabeth Austin was a mother of 11, pastoralist & philanthropist who established the first welfare accommodation for older, poor women in Geelong in the 1890s. She paid for the construction of 12 cottages in Geelong on land granted by the Victorian Government. The Austin cottages still stand in South Geelong & their foundation stone reads ‘To the glory of God, & for the benefit of the poor of Geelong in perpetuity’. The first residents of the Austin Cottages lived rent-free & were given 2/6 pence per week for living expenses. The processes she set in place preceded by some years the provision of Government sponsored pensions.

In 2001 St Laurence Services Inc. was appointed as Trustee for the Austin Cottages continuing their original function envisaged by Elizabeth as endowed homes for impoverished females. Elizabeth also founded the Austin Hospital (originally called the Hospital for Incurables). In her latter life Elizabeth, distributed nearly her entire accumulation of wealth to benefit women, in particular those of limited means.

2010 - the 100th Anniversary of her death & the National Trust (Vic) hosted a special exhibition of her life to commemorate this anniversary.

The Blue Triangle Community

1924: Middle class Geelong women formed The Blue Triangle Community in 1924 to prepare young girls for their entry into the workforce as many were working from 14 years of age in the factories of Geelong (Woollen Mills, etc). The Blue Triangle offered social events, organised sports, holiday camps & sex education as part of their general support for these young women. Their aim was to help young women ‘find the best in life’ & ‘develop all of their powers’. This included establishing Thrift club – volunteers collected money from the girls to put into their bank account as they couldn’t get to the bank easily themselves. The Blue Triangle became Geelong Girls' Unity Club which in its turn was a forerunner of Geelong Netball.

Geelong and Western District Ladies Benevolent Association

1855: The Geelong & Western District Ladies Benevolent Association a non-sectarian philanthropic organisation, was formed to provide emergency relief to the poor, in particular to women, & homes for ‘aged helpless females’. The inaugural President was Miss Caroline Newcomb of Coryule. They raised money through grants, subscription fees & donations. The Society ran a free kindergarten in Yarra Street for nearly 100 years, & Upton House in Queenscliff, to provide holidays for women. The demands on their services rose & fell with economic circumstances such as the collapse of the land boom & government provided social welfare. The Association is still in existence, providing assistance during illness & other misfortunes.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has been working in Geelong since 1883 & since that time has allowed the ordination of women. The Salvation Army work in Geelong now includes Kardinia Women’s Services (KWS). They have a diverse range of programs that support women & children who are experiencing homelessness with often multiple accompanying issues. Women hold several of the leading jobs in the Salvation Army in Geelong & its Chaplain is Major Dorothy Poke.