New Guinea Club Completes

Seventh Year

FFiHE New Guinea Women’s Club of X Sydney held its 7th annual general meeting at 77 King Street, Sydney, on *i , K! ly V' Although membership has dwindled

since the war years, the Club is still a vigorous organisation and in a sound financial position. After numerous grants of assistance and other expenditure during the year, the credit balance in the general fund at June 30, 1948 was £359. In the Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees Fund, £2BO is brought forward into the current financial year.

In her report on the year’s activities, read at the meeting, Mrs. M. L. Foxcroft

the retiring president stated:—

AUR numbers now being greatly reduced, with vy so many returning to the Territory, our activities have not been as great as other years, but nevertheless we have carried on successfully with the good work with those willing workers who are still with us.

Soon after our last annual meeting Mrs. J.

Meldrum found it necessary to resign as vice president because of ill health. Mrs. E. Ormond was duly elected to fill the vacancy and Mrs.

Whiteman then filled Mrs. Ormond’s vacancy on the committee.

We were sorry when Mrs. H. Taylour also had to resign as treasurer, in December. She had done well in that capacity while in office. Then Mrs. Carr took the treasurer’s office whilst Mrs.

E. Haynes was elected secretary. Both ladies have done exceedingly well. Mrs. Hutchinson then joined the Committee.

Our rents were raised early this year by the Feminist Club because of increased costs.

We again communicated with Canberra re questing a complete list of the names of our men who enlisted in New Guinea and who made the supreme sacrifice. Their reply to this commu nication was that “they are unable to furnish us with this information.” We have now com municated with the Returned Soldiers’ Associa tion in Rabaul in the hope that they will be able to help us.

We wrote to Canberra requesting also that our civilian widows be placed on the same foot ing as the Servicemen’s widows respecting the allocation of £7O for furniture.

Their reply to this was as follows; “Representations you have made in this matter will be examined and further advice in regard thereto will be communicated to you as soon as practicable.”

Some time has elapsed and we have not heard anything further.

We are glad to have been able to give financial assistance to deserving cases. And, as we have quite a number of our New Guinea people now resident in England, it was decided to send them 10/- food parcels, which have been received with gratitude.

The Younger Set finalised its affairs during the year and generously donated the balance of their funds to our Club, the amount being £2O/17/8.

Our numbers at our Thursday morning meet ings have been greatly reduced in the last year, the average attendance being 17. which, in view of so many returning to the Territory is pleasing.

Numbers of our people visit us during their leave from New Guinea. We are happy to see them at all times. We have a country member ship for all those who are still interested and would like to remain members of the Club. They may do so for the payment of 10/- per annum.

Flowers have been sent or visits paid by members to anyone ill or in hospital immediately we knew their whereabouts.

During the year we paid homage to our dead by placing wreaths at the Cenotaph on January 23, April 25, and July 1.

Mrs. U. Adams generously acted on our be half in January in Rabaul by placing a wreath at the service held there.

Entertainment

WE have had several social gatherings during the year although our numbers are small. These brought our people together and have been quite successful. The Children’s Christmas party was again a great success.

Miss Brooks and her pupils delighted the kiddies and also adults with a wonderful pro gramme of singing and dancing.

Our thanks go also to the Feminist Club for the Christmas cake which they so kindly donated to the kiddies.

We thank all those people and firms who so generously made donations to make this partv a happy day for the children; also Mrs. for Christmas bush for decorating the room; Mesdames Edwards, Whiteman and Haynes who

did the buying of gifts which is by no means an easy task; and all the ladies who assisted.

Approximately 63 children attended.

The Get-Together Christmas Party for the grown-ups was one of our happiest. Approxi mately 110 came along. The committee is to be congratulated; also Messrs. Baldwin and Pox croft for attending to the liquid refreshments.

During the year Mr. Quinton, our auditor, left for England. Mr. S. E. Costello has very kindly now offered to do this work for us.

In conclusion, I would like to thank those who have helped us in donations, gifts, etc.; also Mrs. J. Tudor and the “PIM,” Mr. Cos tello for auditing the books. Mrs. D. McAdam, Miss Hemming and Miss Pam Page, and es pecially the committee for their co-operation and help at all times.

Election Of Officers

rHE following office-bearers were elected for 1948-49: Patroness, Mrs. H. H. Page; president,

Vlrs. N. H. Foxcroft; vice-president, Mrs.

J. Edwards: secretary, Mrs. E. G. Haynes; treasurer, Mrs. H. Carr. Committee,

Mesdames Whiteman, Hutchinson, Harvey and Evan Evans.

Mrs. E. Ormond, vice-president, and Mrs. M. Forsyth, committeewoman, have resigned office after giving years of work to the Club.