YWCA Canberra

YWCA CANBERRA HONOURED WITH GOLD AWARD IN 90TH YEAR

13 March 2019

YWCA Canberra has received a Chief Minister’s Canberra Gold Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the Canberra community throughout its 90 years of operation.

The award recognises and celebrates the unique contribution made by individuals and groups who have made Canberra their home for fifty years or more, and the role they have played in shaping our city and community.
YWCA Canberra will receive a certificate of recognition as part of Canberra’s birthday celebrations at Albert Hall this afternoon.

YWCA Canberra Chief Executive Officer Frances Crimmins said the award was a fitting recognition of the positive contribution YWCA Canberra had made since it was established in the city in 1929.

“YWCA Canberra has a proud 90-year history as an organisation that has grown and responded to the needs of women, girls and the broader Canberra community,” Ms Crimmins said.

“YWCA Canberra’s maturity reflects the evolution of the city we serve, and today we are a vibrant for purpose organisation working across children’s services, community development, homelessness and affordable housing, youth services, personal and professional training, women’s leadership and advocacy.”

Key milestones from the organisation’s history include:

  • opening an employment bureau assisting with wages, conditions and training for household employment during the Great Depression
  • beginning our long involvement in providing accommodation to women and girls by opening our first Canberra women’s hostel in 1942
  • running an ‘Open House’ in the 1950s to welcome and provide services to newly arrived migrants to Canberra
  • providing low-cost childcare and essential services and advocacy for marginalised groups.

Recent organisational highlights include the establishment of the Great Ydeas Small Grants Program in 2010, the launch of the She Leads Diploma of Management in 2013, the grand opening of YWCA Canberra’s Computer Clubhouse in Tuggeranong in 2014 and the continued growth of our children’s services offering.

Media contact: Helen Machalias 0455 655 330

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