Join us for a short AGM followed by a talk by Barbara Brookes, Professor Emerita in History at the University of Otago.
Over the year 1916-1917, 1051 young women passed through the Wellington Young Women’s Christian
Association’s Hostels, including the one at 115 Brougham Street. Men’s enlistment in the services for
WWI meant an influx of young women into Wellington to take over their jobs and there was great demand
for hostel accommodation. This did not abate after the war; in August 1919, forty more residential rooms
were opened at the hostel in Brougham Street and were filled on the first day.
Now named ‘Rowena’s Lodge’, this talk will explore the heyday of the YWCA Hostel and the role it played
in young women’s lives.
Sunday September 25, 2.30 pm
Friends Meeting House, Moncrieff Street, Mt Victoria.