Skip to Content Accessibility About Us Contact Us Feedback

My Account

Home
ACT Heritage Library
Collections
Archives and manuscripts
HMSS 0170 Australian Church Women Australian Captial Territory Unit Archive

Home > ACT Heritage Library > ACT Heritage Library > Collections > Archives and manuscripts > HMSS 0170 Australian Church Women Australian Captial Territory Unit Archive

ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection

HMSS 0170 Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit Archive

Scope and content notes

Call Number	HMSS 0170
Collection	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit Archive
Date Range	1953-2003
Quantity	2.6m (14 manuscript boxes)
Access Conditions	open
Copying Conditions	with attribution
Related Collections	HMSS 0285 ACT Churches Council

The organisation began in 1953 when the Director of the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) met with a group of local Canberra Christian church minister’s wives to arrange Women’s World Day of Prayer services. The Women’s World Day of Prayer Committee (WWDP) was formed with the purpose of arranging the combined prayer service annually in a number of different Christian churches. The 1963 service was attended by 300 women (out of a Canberra population of 30,000) at the time.

At the same time, the Australian Council of Churches in 1963 sought to extend the role of women in church activities and formed an auxiliary for women’s fund raising and charitable work. When coming together, the group decided to form an autonomous ecumenical group called Australian Church Women.

By 1964 the WWDP Committee decided to form a branch of Australian Church Women in the Australian Capital Territory with the purpose of arranging not only the World Day of Prayer service but other combined church services, notably Fellowship Day and World Community Day. This group called themselves Canberra Church Women, and was under the national co-ordination of the national organisation, Australian Church Women. The national executive functions of Australian Church Women are undertaken in rotation by the various state and territory chapters. Canberra Church Women (and later, Australian Church Women (ACT Unit) performed this function.

In 1977 Canberra Church Women affiliated with the Catholic Women’s League with the 1978 World Day of Prayer service being conducted at St Christopher’s Cathedral. Representatives from many Canberra churches attended to hear readings and to pray in this broadly-based ecumenical service.

In order to comply with the other chapters of Australian Church Women, Canberra Church Women changed its name in 1982, to Australian Church Women (ACT Unit). This group continued to operate as it had previously done, organising three ecumenical services annually throughout the Canberra area. The services were usually combined with a social event of lunch or morning tea and provided an opportunity for church members and office holders to meet others engaged in similar work throughout the region.

Apart from the fellowship and the organisation of the ecumenical services, the group contributes to the charitable works of Australian Church Women through fund raising and support for the Winifred Kiek Scholarship; World Community Day projects and the Fellowship of the Least Coin.

Winifred Kiek (Australia’s first ordained woman minister) introduced the scholarship with a view to providing financial support for an Asian female student to further her education in Australia. The scope of support has widened with later students coming from the Pacific and from remote Australian communities with studies being undertaken in Singapore and Papua New Guinea as well as Australia. The ACT Unit has contributed support to scholars over the years and hosted visits and functions associated with this activity.

Funds raised by World Community Day services are forwarded from the ACT Unit to the National Committee who allocate monies to specific charitable causes. Similarly, amounts raised by the Fellowship of the Least Coin are sent to the International Committee from where it is distributed world wide in small amounts ($5000 or less) to designated projects.

The group continues to operate to coordinate the local ecumenical prayer services and to contribute funds raised locally to the specific national and international charities as above.

Series and Item list

Series	Description	Date range	Extent	Notes
Series 1	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit constitution including national organisation and development of Australian Capital Territory organisation and constitution	1965-1995	1 box; 5 items	Constitution and development of variations

Series 2	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers including executive directories; minutes of executive meetings, and minutes of regular meetings	1953-2003		Minutes of meetings

Series 3	Collection of papers of Australian Church Women National Executive			Retained because of role of ACT Unit taking responsibility for Executive in turn with other units

Series 4	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1972-2003		Correspondence

Series 5	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1975-2003		Conferences

Series 6	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit activities and programs including Fellowship of the Least Coin and Winifred Kiek Scholarship	1991-1998		Programs

Series 7	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit Orders of service	1965-2004		Orders of service

Series 8	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit publications	1982-1990		Publications

Series 9	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit historical and biographical papers	1965-1998		Historical/biographical

Series 10	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit relations with government agencies			Relations with government agencies

BOX LIST

Box	Series	Item	Description	Date range	Extent	Contents/Notes
1	1	1	Australian Church Women – Constitution -- Development of constitution including amendments made 1985	1965?-1985	1 wallet
1	1	2	Australian Church Women – Constitution -- Including guidelines to be used in conjunction with Constitution.	1985-1990	1 wallet	Guidelines relate to activities: Winifred Kiek Scholarship and the Fellowship of the Least Coin
1	1	3	Australian Church Women – Constitution including guidelines for National Executive and National Secretary	1995	1 wallet	In red binder
1	1	4	Australian Church Women – Constitution and guidelines to be used in conjunction with the Constitution – guidelines cover National Executive; Secretary; Minute Secretary; Finance; Publications; Editor; Winifred Kiek Scholarship and the Fellowship of the Least Coin; Special Days; Asian Church Women’s Conference Representative; National Conference	1997	1 wallet
1	1	5	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit constitution and development including amendments 1965, 1982	1965-1982?	1 wallet

2	2	1a-c	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit minutes, including executive minutes; executive directories; attendance sheets, and office bearers’ contact details	1984-2003	3 wallets
2	2	2	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers -- Minute books – Women’s World Day of Prayer	1953-1958	1 volume
2	2	3	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers -- Minute books – Women’s World Day of Prayer	1958-1964	1 volume
2	2	4	Minute book for 1965-1969 missing not received at time of processing			Space and number left in case item located
2	2	5	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers -- Minute books – Canberra Church Women	1969-1977	1 volume
2	2	6	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers -- Minute books – Canberra Church Women later Australian Church Women ACT Unit	1977-1988	1 volume
3	2	7	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers -- minute book of regular meetings	11 March 1988 – 24 November 2000	1 volume	minutes pasted into book
4	2	8	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers for general meetings, annual general meetings including agendas and minutes. Papers include Treasurer’s reports; Social Justice reports; Fellowship of the Least Coin reports; Special Days reports	29 October 1987-25 November 1994	1 wallet	Some gaps. Sometimes includes lists of inwards and outwards correspondence. Meetings were usually held January or February; March; May; July, and September. The biennial report is presented on the last Friday in February. Executive Committee convenes in between the general meetings.
4	2	9	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers for general meetings, annual general meetings including agendas and minutes. Papers include Treasurer’s reports; Social Justice reports; Fellowship of the Least Coin reports; Special Days reports	17 March 1995 – 26 November 1999	1 wallet
4	2	10	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit meetings papers for general meetings, annual general meetings including agendas and minutes. Papers include Treasurer’s reports; Social Justice reports; Fellowship of the Least Coin reports; Special Days reports	28 April 2000 – 20 August 2003	1 wallet
4	2	11	Papers for annual general meetings including President’s report; Treasurer’s report; publicity Officer’s report; ACT Womens’ Consultative Council Report	1971-1996	1 wallet
4	2	12	Papers for annual general meetings including President’s report; Treasurer’s report; publicity Officer’s report; ACT Womens’ Consultative Council Report	1997-2002-continuing	1 wallet
4	2	13	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit Tuggeranong Branch meetings papers	1980-1982	1 wallet	Group formed and lapsed.
4	2	14	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit cash books	1954-1964; 1964-1967; 1971-1977; 1977-1982	1 wallet

5	3	1	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1975-1977	1 wallet
5	3	2	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1978-1980	1 wallet
5	3	3	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1981-1983	1 wallet
5	3	4	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1984-1986	1 wallet
5	3	5	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1987-1989	1 wallet
5	3	6	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1990-1992	1 wallet
5	3	7	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1993-1995	1 wallet
5	3	8	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1996-1997	1 wallet
5	3	9	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	1998-1999	1 wallet
5	3	10	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	2000-2001	1 wallet
5	3	11	Australian Church Women National Executive minutes	2002-2003	1 wallet
6	3	12	Australian Church Women National Executive working papers	1996-1997	1 wallet
6	3	13	Australian Church Women National Executive circulars	1999-2001	1 wallet
6	3	14	Australian Church Women National Executive correspondence to units	1995-1999	1 wallet

7	4	1	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1972/3; 1974; 1975; 1976	1 wallet
7	4	2	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1977-1978	1 wallet
7	4	3	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1979	1 wallet
7	4	4	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1980	1 wallet
7	4	5	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1981-1982	1 wallet
7	4	6	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1983	1 wallet
7	4	7	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1984	1 wallet
7	4	8	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1985	1 wallet
7	4	9	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1986	1 wallet
7	4	10	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1987	1 wallet
8	4	11	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1988	1 wallet
8	4	12	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1989	1 wallet
8	4	13a	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1990	1 wallet
8	4	13b	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1990	1 wallet
8	4	14a	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1991	1 wallet	Includes some 1988 correspondence re X-rated videos
8	4	14b	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1991	1 wallet
8	4	15	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1992	1 wallet
8	4	16	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1993	1 wallet
8	4	17	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1994	1 wallet
8	4	18	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1995	1 wallet
9	4	19	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1996	1 wallet
9	4	20	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1997	1 wallet
9	4	21	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1998	1 wallet
9	4	22	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	1999	1 wallet
9	4	23	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	2000	1 wallet
9	4	24	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	2001	1 wallet
9	4	25	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	2002	1 wallet
9	4	26	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit correspondence	2003 + continuing	1 wallet	Leave room for additions

10	5	1	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1975	1 wallet	Various names including National Committee Meeting; National Conference and Seminar, and National Conference
10	5	2	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1977	1 wallet
10	5	3	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1979	1 wallet
10	5	4	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1981	1 wallet
10	5	5	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1983	1 wallet
10	5	6	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1985	1 wallet
10	5	7	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1987	1 wallet
10	5	8	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1989	1 wallet
10	5	9	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1991	1 wallet
10	5	10	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1993	1 wallet
11	5	11	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1995	1 wallet
11	5	12	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1997	1 wallet	Includes photographs
11	5	13	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1997	1 wallet
11	5	14	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	1999	1 wallet
11	5	15	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	2001	1 wallet
11	5	16	Australian Church Women national conferences and meetings -- representation of Australian Capital Territory Unit	2003	1 wallet

12	6	1	Activities and programs – Fellowship of the Least Coin – including correspondence, 1992-1996; financial statements and reports (with gaps) and brochures	1992-1996 ?	1 wallet
12	6	2	Activities and programs – Winifred Kiek Scholarship – including correspondence and activity reports	1991-1998	1 wallet	Includes deeds of trust; historical notes; brochures; newsclippings, and information leaflets on individual annual recipients, 1965-2002 (with gaps)
12	7	1	Orders of Service -- Fellowship Day	1966-1979	1 wallet	With gaps, 1967-1971
12	7	2	Orders of Service -- Fellowship Day	1980-2003	1 wallet
12	7	3	Orders of Service – Fellowship Day. Includes other miscellaneous Orders of Service including services for changes to Executive; International Women’s Year, 1975, and International Year of the Family, 1994	2004-continuing	1 wallet	Allow for additions
12	7	4	Orders of Service – World Day of Prayer, Australia (New South Wales Committee) including Children’s Programmes	1965-1989	1 wallet	With gaps 1967-1970
12	7	5	Orders of Service – World Day of Prayer	1990-2004-continuing	1 wallet	Allow for additions
12	7	6	Orders of Service – World Community Day	1964-2003-continuing	1 wallet	With gaps 1965-1971; 1989 Allow for additions

13	8	1	Publications – Affirmations vol. 1 no. 1, 1982-1983 with gaps		1 wallet
13	8	2	Newsletters ACT Unit	February 1982- December 2003-continuing	1 wallet	3-4 issues per year
13	8	3	Brochures and leaflets -- Australian Church Women		?
13	8	4	Brochures– Asian Church Women		?
13	8	5	Brochures ACT Unit
13	8	6	Australian Church Women circulars	January 1986 – November 2002

13	8	7a	Australian Church Women, Women at work – newsletter later known as ACW news issues	1979-1984
13	8	7b	Australian Church Women, Women at work – newsletter later known as ACW news issues	1985-2003
13	9	1	Unit history update sheets from various states, including ACT
13	9	2	Notes on Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit history including those compiled by Ruth Burmester, 1998	1998	?
13	9	3	Biographical notes on office bearers and obituaries of past members, including Audrey Sherwin and Evonne Sullivan
13	9	4	Stationery and letterhead blanks
14	9	5	Sound recordings on cassette including interview with Ruth Burmester on 1PPP 1990	-1990
14	9	6	Large photograph with captions Australian Church Women conference Sydney	1991	1 photograph

14	10	1	Background information on ACT legal consultancy participation and ACT Unit attendance at church and women’s affairs functions	1990s
14	10	2	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit relations with ACT Churches Council and other ACT organisations	1995-1998?	1 wallet
14	10	3	Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit information regarding national, state and local government policies	1990s	1 wallet

Search Libraries ACT

My Account

ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection

HMSS 0170 Australian Church Women Australian Capital Territory Unit Archive

Scope and content notes

Series and Item list

BOX LIST

Box

Series

Item

Description

Date range

Extent

Contents/Notes

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

3

1

1

4

1

1

5

2

2

1a-c

2

2

2

2

2

3

2

2

4

2

2

5

2

2

6

3

2

7

4

2

8

4

2

9

4

2

10

4

2

11

4

2

12

4

2

13

4

2

14

5

3

1

5

3

2

5

3

3