Our history“The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Australia comprises men and women loyal to the Crown and to the system of Constitutional Monarchy and whose determination is to maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth of Nations."
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Our history“The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Australia comprises men and women loyal to the Crown and to the system of Constitutional Monarchy and whose determination is to maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth of Nations."
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A brief history of the Victoria LeagueThe Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship was founded in 1901 in memory of Queen Victoria.
One of a small group of South African women, weary of the Boer War, announced “I am so weary of the bitterness of the War. Why can’t we have a society of friendship?” This wonderful idea was carried forth by those women who travelled to England and sought agreement of the then Prime Minister the Marquis of Salisbury. He consented to such an organisation being established. The Victoria League was born. Many branches were formed in the United Kingdom. In 1911 The Victoria League in South Australia was established and more than 100 years later it is continuing to promote friendship amongst the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, the former British Empire. Following the second World War the British migrants who came to South Australia were welcomed at The Gepps Cross Hostel where they were temporarily accommodated. Parties were organised for them. New arrivals were helped with advice and practical assistance. During both World Wars the League formed a Red Cross circle and members regularly came together to sew and knit to assist the War effort. A number of subcommittees were formed, all accountable to the Executive Committee, the “Board of Directors” of the Victoria League. Each of these subcommittees carried out the important work of promoting friendship amongst the people of the countries of the Commonwealth. The largest subcommittee was the Hospitality Committee which entertained people from interstate, overseas and local members on a regular basis. The Settlers Welcome Committee assisted British migrants to make their homes here. Other subcommittees were the Elizabethan Group, the Young Married and the Young Contingent carrying out similar work. Today, with the passage of time and the changing of circumstances, the subcommittees have been disbanded, but the work of the League continues but in a different way. In the last few years The Victoria League has funded sewing machines for a refugee centre in Uganda to empower women to start their own businesses. A similar project has been undertaken to support Zomi Mothers Association in Churachandpur India with sewing machines for the making of clothes. We have provided funding for a Children’s Ward at the Redemption Medical Centre to be built in Kampala Uganda. In addition we have provided funding for Eshikalame Primary School in North Western Kenya to enable the children and staff to have clean drinking water and toilet blocks. We have also provided funding for a small village in Fiji to build community toilet blocks and outdoor kitchens for each house. The Executive Committee believes these projects are important in Australia’s relations with other Commonwealth countries. The Victoria League continues to be a dynamic institution in a world where friendship between Commonwealth countries is even more important than when the League was founded, over 110 years ago. |
At the end of the war many young women left the UK for Australia and New Zealand as “war brides”. Leagues in these countries offered them friendship, hospitality and practical support to help them settle down.
The role and purpose of the organisation and its objects were defined: The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in Australia comprises men and women loyal to the Crown and to the system of Constitutional Monarchy and whose determination is to maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth of Nations. The objects for which the League is established are to promote and foster unity between peoples of all parts of the Commonwealth of Nations by means of:
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The Victoria League in South Australia was formed on June 9 1911 at a meeting held in the Adelaide Town Hall.
From the early years of the League, its activities included welcoming British settlers, especially after the two world wars, with the arrival of young war brides, some of whom went to live in remote parts of South Australia. Typically, migrants were welcomed at the migrant hostels and parties were organised for them. Christmas parties were organised so that British migrant families could share Christmas with League members. New arrivals were helped with advice and practical assistance. Fund-raising has always been a necessary feature of League activities, including trading tables, concerts, luncheons, afternoon teas, dinners, picnics and raffles. During both world wars, the League formed a Red Cross circle and members regularly came together to sew and knit to assist the war effort. Several sub-committees were established:
In recent decades, there have been changes of emphasis in the Victoria League’s activities, while remaining always to give personal friendship and understanding to all members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Throughout its history, the Victoria League has maintained close ties with the League in London, and representatives have visited each other’s branch on a regular basis. The South Australian League has supported the Victoria League Student House in London, and in 1959 it began sponsorship of one of the rooms in the hostel, which is known as South Australia Room. This support is still being maintained. |