TIMELINE

1906

Established in 1906 by Miss Sorley, General Secretary of the Auckland YWCA. Miss Sorley oversaw the establishment of the Wellington branch. In August 1906, a first meeting was held between Miss Sorley and supporters of a Wellington YWCA.

At a second meeting, on 10 September, the Wellington branch was formed. The Association's purpose was “To unite for prayer and work all those who desire to promote the spiritual, moral, social and intellectual welfare of young women wherever they may be found, and to train its members ‘By love to serve one another’…"

The YWCA was based at 6 Lambton Quay moving to 149 Lambton Quay a year later and again two years later to Pioneer Club Rooms in Manners Street.

1911

First hostel at 6 Macdonald Crescent. The Headquarters moved to Winders
Buildings, Manners Street but moved within a few weeks due to a fire to Fowlds Ltd in Mercer Street.

1915

Second hostel set up in Brougham Street and a property in Boulcott Street
brought for administration.

1923

Boulcott Street building set up as a hostel.

Y’s Movements
Since 1943 the YWCA has been located in Boulcott Street, Willis Street, Vivian
Street, Willis Street and to our current home at 75 Ghuznee Street.

1960s and 1970s

The C in YWCA
The emphasis on the Christian aspect of the YWCA declined during the 1960s and 1970s. A chapel had been constructed and consecrated at its new Willis Street building and weekly devotional meetings were held, but attendance was reportedly low.

“As part of our Christian base, the YWCA works for social justice and human rights. We uphold Christian principles of acceptance, love, justice, celebration of difference and liberation. Women who are members subscribe to the same basic principles, whether or not they are Christian.”

YWCA Programme and Trade Directory, 1997

1970s – 1980s

The Hutt Valley YWCA was a vibrant community centre in the 1970s and 1980s with a range of voluntary committees operating; fundraising was an important task for the volunteers and many innovative events were organised. A wide range of day and evening community classes was provided. Some of the highlights were:

· Mobile Preschool Unit
· Supervision of Woburn Hostels
· Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
· Y’s Buys
· Gym classes for children
· Apprentice Accommodation Scheme

1980s

The slogan “EMPOWERING WOMEN” was adopted by the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand to emphasise the importance of education, training and support for women.

1982

Willis Street hostel was sold and the staff moved into a house in Moncrieff Street. Its policy and programme focus was on “unemployed women and girls, and related issues and needs”. Classes were offered in such topics as:

· Car, motorcycle and house maintenance
· Outdoor education
· Assertiveness training
· Interior decorating
· Children’s holiday

1986

The Y moved into a new base at 35 Vivian Street. The refurbished building included office space, meeting/activity rooms and a groundfloor crèche with outdoor play area. Towards the end of the decade, a new exercise programme for women, Newrhythmics, was launched.

Summer camps for mothers and their preschool children were added to the camp programme, enabling women who would otherwise not afford a holiday to have rest and recreation for a week, with childcare provided.

Advocacy, Treaty responsibilities and Self Defence were also services the Y focused on.

1990 – 2005

The Wellington Association merged with the Hutt Valley Association in 1993 to form the YWCA of Wellington & Hutt Valley.

There was an emphasis on providing free or lowcost services to young women, women on low incomes and those with least access to resources. Programmes included:

· Self Defence courses and the Maori Women’s Transfer Fund
· Fundraising ventures included a Feminist Lecture Series and the Women’s
Business and Trade Directory
· A Golf Tournament and a Bridge Luncheon were annual fundraising events
organised by volunteers over many years, and valuable funds were raised
through the Y’s Choice clothing shop in Wellington and in Lower Hutt.
· The Wellington YWCA played a crucial role in the establishment of a Women’s Boarding House in Brougham Street. The house was opened by the Governor General, Dame Cath Tizard, in July 1992.
· Mothers Alone
· Career Y’s
· Women’s Access Computer
· Young Women’s Programme:

• the Young Women’s Photography Competition
• school holiday events
• workshops on topics such as body image, selfdefence, sexual health,
  depression, relationship breakups and drugs/alcohol
• one on one support.
• Saturday Programme

The YWCA also began to re open its doors on Saturdays. Courses were
provided on a wide range of topics, including ‘Public Speaking for Women’,
‘Feminism – What is it really?’, ‘NZ Women on Film’, and much more.

2007 onwards

The new mission of the Wellington Y starts the beginning of another 100 years.