The Australian Association of Lyceum Clubs, formed in 1972 from several smaller clubs, is an association for women who are dedicated to lifelong learning and social engagement. The aim of the AALC is to promote a spirit of goodwill and understanding within the Association and to enhance the enjoyment of Lyceum by providing opportunities for contact and friendship with members of other Lyceum Clubs. The first
Lyceum Club was founded in
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, England in 1904 by
Constance Smedley
Anne Constance Smedley (20 June 1876 – 9 March 1941) was a British artist, playwright, author and founder of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.
Life
Smedley was born in Handsworth near Birmingham in 1876. Her well-off and educat ...
.
Ethel Osborne
Ethel Elizabeth Osborne (née Goodson 30 January 18823 December 1968) was a British-born Australian doctor who was an expert in the field of hygiene and public health. She was also a founder of both the Lyceum Club, and the Catalysts.
Biography ...
and
Alice Maud Sewell founded a Lyceum Club in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
after visiting the London club in 1910, and Ethel was elected vice-president during the first meeting on 21 March 1912.
Member groups
There are several Lyceum clubs in Australia.
Adelaide
The Lyceum Club Adelaide was formed in 1922 by Dr
Helen Mayo
Helen Mary Mayo (1 October 1878 – 13 November 1967) was an Australian medical doctor and medical educator, born and raised in Adelaide. In 1896, she enrolled at the University of Adelaide, where she studied medicine. After graduating, Mayo ...
. From 1924 to 1927 club rooms were in the upper floor of member Dr.
Violet Plummer's home and consulting rooms at 222
North Terrace, then from 1927 the entire top floor and piazza of the Fada Building, 200
North Terrace. A feature was the elegantly furnished, "strangers' room". In 1934 a library was established.
They moved to larger premises in the CML building, King William Street, in 1936. Membership had grown from 43 to 244 in 16 years. Present-day clubrooms are located at 111
Hutt Street
Hutt Street is the easternmost of the five major north–south roads running through the City of Adelaide. It runs from Pirie Street to South Terrace, Adelaide, South Terrace, from where it continues south as Hutt Road. Flanked by leafy side st ...
with the Army and Navy Club.
Some officeholders
* Presidents: By the club' Constitution, the office of president changes every two years: 1922 Dr Helen Mayo; 1924 Dr Christina Krakowsky; 1926 Mrs John Corbin; 1928 Mrs
Charles Todd 1930 Mrs. Allen Simpson; 1932 Dr. Eleanor Allen (died 1937); 1934 Lady Mawson; 1936 Mabel Marryat; 1938 Mrs A. Killen Macbeth; 1940 Mrs. Carlile McDonnell; 1942 Mrs Charles A. Hutchinson; 1944 Mrs A. Grenfell Price;
* Secretary: 1922 Margaret Darnley Naylor; 1924–1928
Mildred Mocatta; 1928–1944
Rica Hübbe
* Treasurer: 1922 Annie Hornabrook 1923 Florence M. Saunders; 1926 Martha Crompton; Mrs A. E. H. Evans; 1928–1944 Dorothy L. Gilbert 1944– Mrs Percy Ifould
Brisbane Club
The Lyceum club, Brisbane, was formed in 1919.
Perth Club
The Perth club, called the Karrakatta Club, formed in 1894 and is the oldest women's club in Australia. It joined with the Lyceum clubs in 1923.
Melbourne
The Lyceum Club, Melbourne, founded in March 1912 in rented premises at the corner of
Collins and
Elizabeth
Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to:
People
* Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name)
* Empress Elisabeth (disambiguation), lists various empresses named ''Elisabeth'' or ''Elizabeth''
* Princess Elizabeth ...
Streets, and progressively moved to larger rooms as membership grew, until in 1957 purchasing or building rooms of their own at Ridgway Place, off
Little Collins Street
Little Collins Street is a minor road, street in the Melbourne central business district, Victoria, Australia.
The street runs parallel to and to the north of Collins Street, Melbourne, Collins Street and as a narrow one way lane takes on the ...
. Membership is open to "women connected with or distinguished in literature, science, education, music or art, philanthropy, journalism, social or public service and the learned professions".
Sydney
The Sydney Lyceum Club was founded in 1914, but later dissolved in 1982. However, the club was reformed in 1992 due to rekindled interest.
References
External links
Official websiteAdelaide Lyceum Club websiteBrisbane Lyceum Club websiteMelbourne Lyceum Club websiteKarakatta Lyceum Club (Perth, Western Australia) websiteSydney Lyceum Club websiteRecords, 1973-2001 [manuscript">anuscript">
Records, 1973-2001 [manuscript
at State Library of Victoria.
{{coord missing, Victoria (state)
Women's clubs in Australia
Buildings and structures in Melbourne City Centre
1972 establishments in Australia
Organizations established in 1972
Organisations based in Melbourne