By Roselyn Fauth
I was invited to be a guest speaker at the Bridge Club venue on Wilson Street. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I discovered it is home to one of the oldest surviving women’s clubs in New Zealand!
Founded in 1904 by women who travelled into Timaru from their country farms, the South Canterbury Women’s Club became the group to belong to. Hats and gloves were the order of the day, and membership offered more than just tea and chatter - it was and still is a lifeline of connection, support, and community.
As they shared their history with me... a story that stretches from a George Street tearoom to more than a century of friendship, connection, and social change, I realised the importance of their group and many like them. It is part of a long tradition of women creating their own spaces for connection, support, and leadership.
Created by seven friends in a Timaru tearoom, it has adapted through wars, social change, and shifting fashions, yet its purpose remains the same. Its story is a reminder that such spaces only survive if new generations join and carry their legacy forward. What I learned is that for one woman, a club like this can be a lifeline... a place of friendship, encouragement, and belonging, where the wisdom and stories of others become part of your own journey.” My heartfelt thanks to the South Canterbury Women’s Club for inviting me to share my story and for so generously sharing theirs with me..
“This journey into the history of the South Canterbury Women’s Club has taught me that connection is timeless. The details may change, the fashions, the meeting places, the world outside, but the heart remains the same. When women come together to share, support, and inspire one another, they create something that lasts far beyond their own lifetimes.” – Roselyn Fauth
Here is there story:
When I arrived for my talk, the welcome was warm and full of recognition. Some members remembered my nana and playing mahjong, bridge, and golf with her. Others knew my mum, Marthy Cloake, through her work with ITC and the Heart Foundation. And of course, several smiled at the mention of my aunty and uncle’s Cloake's Honey from Fairview Road. I didn't expect any of them to know me, but one said she could remember me when I was a baby! It felt like stepping into a web of connections.. women and families whose paths had crossed for decades through games, community work, and friendship.
I have recently joined the Aoraki Women’s Foundation, and while we do not meet regularly like the Women’s Club, both share the same vision: to celebrate women, uplift, inspire, and support each other. The South Canterbury Women’s Club has been doing exactly that for over a century.
Where They Met
1904 – Miss McLaren’s Teashop, George Street, Timaru
The seven founding members gathered here one Saturday afternoon and decided to form the South Canterbury Women’s Club.
Late 1920s – Club Rooms, Hay’s Building, Timaru
By this time the club had grown and was holding regular meetings in formal club rooms within Hay’s Building.
Today – Bridge Club, Wilson Street, Timaru
The tradition of gathering in a welcoming space continues, with the Women’s Club moving from the Town and Country blub to the Wilson Street, Bridge Club venue.
The Wilson Street Bridge Club. - Photo's By Roselyn Fauth
1904: A Cup of Tea and a Good Idea
At the turn of the century, Saturdays were the day the farming community came to town. While the men did their business and perhaps gathered at Tattersall’s horse sale in Beswick Street, a lively auction yard where horses and farm stock changed hands, their wives attended to domestic shopping and often took a break at one of the town’s tearooms for a chat and a cuppa.
Social life at the time was shaped by clear divisions between men’s and women’s worlds. Men often belonged to exclusive clubs or meeting places where women were rarely welcome except on special guest nights. These spaces were tied to business, politics, and sport, reflecting the public roles men were expected to hold. Women’s public lives were more limited, and their opportunities for gathering with peers often revolved around church, charity work, or domestic duties. Creating their own clubs gave women a place to speak freely, support one another, and take part in community life on their own terms.
I also found myself wondering about the practical side of those Saturdays in town. Many women would have brought their children with them, so where did they go if they needed to breastfeed or change a nappy? A private, welcoming space like the Women’s Club might have been more than just social. It could have been a small sanctuary in a busy day.
Funnily enough, on a side note... just yesterday I was with someone who watched their livestock go under auction via a live online stream. It struck me how these kinds of efficiencies free us to focus on our day-to-day work, yet I wonder how they change the way we connect to each other. While technology brings convenience, does it also take away the moments of in-person connection that once came naturally?
Anyway, back to the Womens Club Story: One Saturday afternoon in early 1904, seven friends gathered in Miss McLaren’s teashop in George Street. They decided to make their “meeting” more formal and regular, and so the South Canterbury Women’s Club was born. It was only the second club of its kind in New Zealand.
The founding members were Mrs R H Rhodes, Mrs A S Elworthy, Mrs A S Jamison, Mrs G Robinson, Mrs S Mackenzie, Mrs Cartwright, and Mrs Lindsay. Their aim was to create a comfortable and relaxing place where women could meet, chat, and enjoy tea before heading home by horse and buggy along dusty or muddy roads, or catching the train.
1904 to 1924: A World in Motion
Over the next 20 years, everything changed. Horse transport gave way to privately owned motorcars and Model T Fords appeared on the roads. Air travel was in its infancy but the English Channel had already been crossed by plane just before the Great War in 1914.
By 1929, Timaru had grown beyond Otipua Road, Park Lane, and Grasmere Street. Caroline Bay had not yet filled with sand and in 1915 the famous bathing sheds on wheels were pulled into the surf for summer bathers. The harbour was small with just a few buildings on reclaimed land.
Gas lighting was replaced by electricity, better roads made travel easier, and motorcars gave housewives more time. The First World War (1914–1918) took a heavy toll, followed by a deadly influenza epidemic that swept the globe. Women’s contributions were recognised as never before and in 1919 Lord Glasgow followed through on Kate Sheppard’s suffrage campaign by granting New Zealand women the right to vote.
1920s to 1950s: Gloves, Hats, and Club Nights
By the 1920s the club was thriving. In 1921, under President Mrs Hay, Vice-President Mrs Bond, and Honorary Secretary Mrs Bryan-King, monthly Club Nights were held, alternating between cards and entertainment. Members were encouraged to bring a guest.
The club joined the Federation of Women’s Clubs in New Zealand, becoming part of a network of around 25 clubs nationwide. By 1930 membership had grown to 220. Activities expanded to include arts, crafts, travel, cards, play reading, gardening, and music. Many women also reached into the community, joining or establishing other groups.
Fashions Through the Years
From the flapper styles of the 1920s to the Audrey Hepburn-inspired looks of the 1940s, fashion was part of club life. Post-war fabric rationing made dressmaking harder, but members still embraced trends like blouses, jeans, long narrow skirts, polka dots, poodle skirts, and ponytails.
The late 1960s and 70s saw the arrival of Mary Quant’s mini skirt, the hippie movement, and a flood of ponchos, moccasins, love beads, peace signs, and headbands. Some women even went without bras. By the 1980s, it was all about big hair, perms, spandex, ripped jeans, lace shirts, bomber jackets, and puff sleeves.
Womens Club Guest Book. Admiring the first pages with entries going back to the 1950s!
Social Change on the Timeline
1960 – TV arrived in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
1967 – The six o’clock closing of pubs ended and women could go to hotels and pubs freely.
1967 – Currency changed from pounds and pence to dollars and cents.
1997 – New Zealand’s first woman Prime Minister was elected.
From There to Here
Sitting in the Bridge Club venue today, surrounded by women sharing stories and laughter, I realised that while the dress code may have relaxed and the modes of transport changed, the heart of the club has not. It is still about connection, conversation, and community, just as it was in Miss McLaren’s tearoom in 1904.
I want to thank the ladies for sharing their history with me so generously. It is a story worth telling not just because it celebrates remarkable women of the past, but because it reminds us that clubs like this still matter.
These spaces give women a place to belong, to be heard, and to build friendships that span decades. But they only survive if new members step forward to carry them on. Learning about the South Canterbury Women’s Club has made me think about how easily we can lose these links if we take them for granted. They are more than just a meeting place. They are a living connection to the women who shaped our towns, our culture, and our shared history.
I hope people reading this are inspired to support the clubs and groups in their own communities. Once they are gone, you cannot rebuild the same web of memories, connections, and shared experiences. You can only remember them.
I think my nana would have loved that.
Side Quest: How Does One Local Club Fit into a National Story?
Learning about the South Canterbury Women’s Club made me wonder... how does one local gathering of friends in a tearoom connect to the bigger picture of women’s organisations across New Zealand?
The answer is, more than you might think. While our Women’s Club began with a few determined friends in 1904, other groups around the country were forming with equally bold visions:
- Women’s Christian Temperance Union (1885) – campaigning for temperance, women’s suffrage, and social reforms.
- National Council of Women of New Zealand (1896) – uniting women’s societies to push for legal and political rights.
- Canterbury Women’s Institute (1892) – fostering education, health awareness, and civic engagement.
- Business and Professional Women NZ (1939) – promoting women in business and leadership.
- Māori Women’s Welfare League (1951) – advocating for Māori women’s health, housing, and education, while preserving culture.
- Women’s Institutes – bringing rural women together for learning, creativity, and friendship.
- Inner Wheel / POWERtalk Clubs – building personal confidence and social networks.
These organisations, national in scope, share the same heartbeat as the South Canterbury Women’s Club — a belief that when women come together, they can lift each other higher.
The Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs is a worldwide organisation of women from diverse occupations who work together for the common good, united in their concern for public welfare locally and globally. The New Zealand branch was established in Wellington in 1939, emerging largely from YWCA “Round Table” clubs, and by 1946 had become an independent body affiliated with the International Federation. In its early years, the movement focused on war service work, including sending parcels to overseas clubs, before expanding into other projects and undertaking serious studies on citizenship, women’s status in New Zealand and abroad, and international affairs. Its aims are to encourage business and professional women to recognise their civic, national, and international responsibilities, to participate fully in community, social, and economic life, and to foster understanding and cooperation among women worldwide regardless of race, religion, or political belief. The New Zealand Federation has been consistently represented at international conferences and has maintained close cooperation with other women’s organisations, exemplified by its role in forming the Joint Committee on Women and Employment in Wellington with the Federation of University Women, the YWCA, and the National Council of Women. By 1965, it had approximately 1,500 members and 24 branches nationwide. https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/womens-organisations
Business and Professional Women New Zealand (BPW NZ), founded in 1939 as the New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, grew out of YWCA Round Table Clubs to promote women’s participation in public life, improve business and professional standards, and advocate for equal opportunities. Initially dominated by single women in business or the professions, it expanded to a national network affiliated with the International Federation (IFBPW), campaigning for equal pay from 1945, co-founding the Council for Equal Pay and Opportunity (1957), and influencing key developments like the creation of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (1967). It made influential submissions on women’s rights, employment equity, and social legislation, while fostering strong international connections through UN-related work and symbolic events such as annual candle-lighting ceremonies. In 2000 it became BPW NZ, adapting to modern challenges by introducing individual memberships and the Young BPW group, and running the Keys to Achievement mentoring programme. Its advocacy broadened to include parental leave, flexible work, women on boards, same-sex marriage, disability rights, family violence, and global issues like trafficking, forced marriage, and FGM, alongside projects supporting refugee and migrant women, workplace bullying research, and international aid in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Mexico. Renowned internationally for “punching above its weight”, BPW NZ held influential roles in BPW International, consistently won advocacy awards since 2008, and maintained a strong presence at UN forums, sustaining an enduring, adaptable voice for women’s empowerment over eight decades. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/women-together/business-and-professional-women-new-zealand
The South Canterbury Women’s Club was not alone in its vision. By the time seven friends met in Miss McLaren’s George Street tearoom in 1904, women across New Zealand had already begun organising in ways that reshaped community life. The Onehunga Ladies’ Benevolent Society, established in 1863, was the country’s earliest women’s organisation, devoted to welfare and relief work. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1885, became the oldest national women’s organisation in continuous operation, leading campaigns for temperance, social reform, and women’s rights. In Christchurch, the Canterbury Women’s Institute, formed in 1892, provided a space for education, debate, and reform-minded discussion.
Closer in spirit to the South Canterbury club were early 20th-century women’s social clubs such as the Pioneer Club in Wellington, established in 1909, which offered a space for friendship, conversation, and cultural activities. Seen in this national context, the South Canterbury Women’s Club is part of a much wider tradition of women carving out spaces for themselves — places where they could meet on their own terms, exchange ideas, and support one another through changing times.
It makes me think: if one small group of women meeting over tea could leave a legacy lasting more than a century, what could all of us achieve today if we carried on that tradition?
Side Quest: Why Was the South Canterbury Women’s Club for Women Only?
In 1904, men already had their places to gather — pubs, sports clubs, political meetings, horse sales, and business rooms. These were spaces where women were rarely welcome, and even when they were, their role was usually secondary.
For many women, a trip into Timaru from the farm was about getting the shopping done, attending to domestic errands, and heading home again. Leisure and leadership opportunities were scarce, and the company of other women without the presence of men was a rare luxury.
The South Canterbury Women’s Club created a different kind of space. Here, women set the agenda, chose the activities, and shared stories in a place where their voices were central. It was about connection, friendship, and mutual support — and for some, it was the only time they could truly relax before the long journey home.
Side Quest: What Known Men's Clubs Were There in Timaru?
In the same era when women were forming their own clubs out of necessity and connection, men in Timaru had a variety of social and fraternal groups available... some contemporary to the Women’s Club, others emerging later:
South Canterbury Club (1890) Established by a group of gentlemen aiming to create a refined social space for Timaru’s business and community leaders, this club still operates today and reflects the classic model of the gentlemen’s club. The South Canterbury Club was established in August 1890. Initially it met in the Club Hotel in George Street; purpose-built premises (1 The Terrace, Timaru) in Le Cren’s Terrace were erected in 1904. The building was ready for occupation in early 1905 and the club continues to occupy the venue today. The club purchased a section on the northern boundary of the property in 1928 and subsequently a squash court was built on this parcel (1935). In 1988 the club’s rules were amended to allow women to join as associate members.
(I wonder if this section was where Strong Work Morrison used to live). Another side question for another day...)
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/376136849115788/about
Timaru Town and Country Club (Men’s-only until 1978) Founded in 1957, it met initially in Caroline Bay tearooms and by 1962 boasted its own hall. It remained men-only for 16 years before welcoming women as members. Source: https://timaruclubs.co.nz/about/
Men’s Clubs in New Zealand at Large Beyond local clubs, men frequently joined gentlemen’s clubs, workingmen’s clubs, Freemasons, friendly societies, and service clubs like Rotary or Lions — each offering networking, support, ritual, or service opportunities. Source: https://teara.govt.nz/en/mens-clubs/print
These clubs provided spaces for male camaraderie, professional networking, and community service... opportunities that were not readily open to women at the time. By contrast, the South Canterbury Women’s Club provided a rare and valuable space for women to gather, lead, and support each other.
Side Quest: Why Did Men Have Their Own Clubs?
Men’s clubs were part of a long tradition that came from Britain and Europe, where private “gentlemen’s clubs” provided spaces for business, politics, networking, and leisure away from home. In New Zealand, these clubs became a fixture in towns and cities from the late 19th century, giving men a place to meet like-minded peers, share meals, read newspapers, play billiards, or discuss local affairs.
For many, these spaces were an extension of their professional and social lives, and membership carried a sense of status. They were also linked to the gender norms of the time. Social expectations placed men in public roles such as running businesses, holding political office, and representing families in civic life. At the time, women were expected to focus on the home. Clubs reflected this divide, providing men with public spaces to network and influence decision-making.
In Timaru, clubs such as the South Canterbury Club and the Timaru Town and Country Club were examples of this tradition. Membership was often selective, and until the late 20th century, women were generally excluded or only allowed in as guests on certain occasions.
Against this backdrop, the South Canterbury Women’s Club was both a mirror and a counterpoint... giving women their own space to form networks, support each other, and take part in community life on their own terms.
Side Quest: The Women’s Club and the Women’s Rest – Two Different Answers to the Same Problem
Learning about the South Canterbury Women’s Club made me think about another place I have researched: the Women’s Rest. At first glance, they seem completely different, but both came from the same need: women carving out their own spaces in a world designed for men.
The Women’s Rest was practical. It gave women somewhere safe, clean, and private to breastfeed, change babies, or simply take a break while in town. It was open to any woman passing through, whether she was in town for shopping, church, or the stock sales.
The Women’s Club, by contrast, was social and cultural. Membership meant belonging to a group of women who met regularly for conversation, activities, and mutual support. It was a space for friendship, inspiration, and building community connections that could last decades.
Both spaces were born in an era when women were not welcome in many of the public places men took for granted, such as pubs, men’s clubs, and even certain sporting facilities. Both solved the question of “where do I go?”. The Women’s Rest answered it for physical needs, the Women’s Club for social ones.
Today, Women’s Rests have mostly disappeared as public amenities improved. Women’s Clubs, on the other hand, have survived, though they now face the challenge of attracting new generations. Both remind us that women have always found ways to create spaces for themselves, even when those spaces did not exist before.
Reflecting on the Past, Learning for the Future
Spending time with the South Canterbury Women’s Club has reminded me that when we look back, we are not just collecting facts. We are connecting threads between who we were, who we are now, and who we might become.
In 1904, seven women met in a Timaru tearoom and decided they wanted more than a passing chat while their husbands did business in town. They wanted a place that was theirs. They created something lasting, and in doing so, they claimed space in a world where social and civic life was still mostly shaped by men. The rules, the gloves and hats, the club nights... these may seem like quaint details today, but they were part of a bigger story about women building networks, influence, and friendships that stretched beyond their front gates.
From the national picture, we can see they were not alone. Across New Zealand, women were forming their own organisations, sometimes in response to being excluded from men’s clubs, sometimes because they simply wanted to support each other and work together on causes that mattered to them. Timaru’s women were part of that momentum, and their club still stands as a living link to it.
When we reflect on this history, it tells us something about who we are today. The world has changed, but the need for connection has not. Our technology is different, our fashions are different, our rights and freedoms are greater, yet the simple act of coming together in a shared space still matters. It still shapes our sense of belonging.
For me, the lesson is clear: we carry the legacy of these women every time we choose to gather, share our stories, and support each other. And if we want these kinds of spaces to exist for future generations, we have to be intentional about showing up, welcoming others in, and making them relevant for the times we live in now.
We are shaped by where we come from. If we forget that, we risk losing not just the stories, but the spirit that built them.
Side Quest: Has COVID Changed the Way We Socialise?
When the members spoke about declining numbers, I found myself asking a bigger question — has COVID permanently changed the way we socialise?
Research suggests it has. Studies show that during lockdowns, in-person interactions dropped sharply while digital connections took their place. A New Zealand survey found that more than a quarter of people became noticeably less social after restrictions eased, with many saying they had simply fallen out of the habit of meeting up. Health concerns lingered for some, but for others it was about routine — staying home had become the default.
Psychologists also point out that reduced face-to-face interaction has affected our social skills, making casual conversation and spontaneous gatherings feel less natural. Online spaces can keep us connected, but they cannot replace the warmth of being in the same room, sharing laughter and stories over a cup of tea.
It makes me wonder — if we do not actively rebuild these habits, will we lose the very spaces that make our communities strong?
Understanding the Situation and Finding Solutions
If COVID disrupted the way we socialise, then part of the solution is to rebuild those habits. That might mean inviting a friend to a meeting, hosting an open day, or pairing new members with a “buddy” so they feel at home straight away.
It also means telling these stories. When people hear about the South Canterbury Women’s Club and its century-long legacy, they see more than a meeting. They see a living link to the women who shaped our community. That kind of heritage is compelling, but only if people know it exists.
Clubs like this can also adapt their activities to appeal to different generations while keeping their core spirit intact. Whether it’s through guest speakers, skill-sharing workshops, or joint events with other community groups, the aim is the same: create moments worth showing up for.
Most importantly, we need to remind ourselves (and each other) that face-to-face connection is not just pleasant, it is powerful. It builds trust, strengthens community ties, and creates memories that no online space can match.
“I believe the way forward is about rebuilding our habits, showing the value of in-person connection, and making spaces like the South Canterbury Women’s Club feel relevant and welcoming for new generations.” - Roselyn Fauth
The history of the club that was shared with me.
Timeline of the South Canterbury Women’s Club
1904 – Founding year
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Seven women — Mrs R H Rhodes, Mrs A S Elworthy, Mrs A S Jamison, Mrs G Robinson, Mrs S Mackenzie, Mrs Cartwright, and Mrs Lindsay — meet at Miss McLaren’s Teashop in George Street.
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The South Canterbury Women’s Club is established, only the second of its kind in New Zealand.
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Purpose: to provide a comfortable space for women to meet and relax before returning to their rural homes.
1914–1918 – The Great War
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Members contribute to war work, supporting troops and their families.
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The war marks a shift in women’s roles, with greater recognition of their contributions.
1915 – Caroline Bay Bathing Sheds
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Mobile bathing sheds on wheels are pulled into the surf for swimmers — a detail in the local setting of the club’s early years.
1919 – Women’s Right to Vote in Britain
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Following Kate Sheppard’s success in NZ (1893), Lord Glasgow and political leaders continue to promote women’s rights in public life.
1921 – Club thriving
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Mrs Hay is President, Mrs Bond is Vice-President, Mrs Bryan-King is Honorary Secretary.
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Monthly Club Nights begin, alternating between cards and entertainment, with members encouraged to bring guests.
1924 – Rules updated
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Club rules are amended, and a copy sent to each member.
1928 – Bylaws introduced
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No dogs allowed.
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Men may be invited to the club rooms on Friday afternoons only.
1929 – Timaru grows
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The club’s 25th anniversary passes unnoticed, but is later celebrated at the 1930 Annual Meeting.
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Membership recorded at 220.
Late 1920s–1930s – New meeting space
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Club meets in Hay’s Building Club Rooms, Timaru.
1940s – Post-war style and rationing
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Audrey Hepburn’s style influences members’ fashion.
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Dressmaking affected by fabric rationing.
1960 – Television arrives
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TV comes to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
1967 – Social change
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Six o’clock closing of pubs ends — women can now enter hotel bars without stigma.
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Currency changes from pounds and pence to dollars and cents.
Late 1960s–1970s – New fashion trends
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Mini skirts, hippie styles, and cultural shifts in women’s dress and public presence.
1980s – Bold fashion and club continuity
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Big hair, perms, puff sleeves, bomber jackets, and spandex.
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Club continues to adapt to changing times and social habits.
1997 – Milestone in leadership
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New Zealand elects its first woman Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley.
Today – Still meeting
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The South Canterbury Women’s Club meets at the Bridge Club venue, Wilson Street, continuing the tradition of connection, friendship, and support that began in 1904.
Some of the many trophies that are on display at the bridge club.