N ational W omen’s R egister …
… is an International Organisation of women’s discussion groups with members in Great Britain,
Europe, Africa and in Australia.
Each group provides its members with opportunities to participate in stimulating discussions on a
wide range of topics from the serious to light-hearted and non-domestic points of view.
The aims are to focus on a nominated subject through personal research and communal activities
so that a better understanding and intimate knowledge can be gained and shared. Speakers who are
experts in their particular field of endeavour are also invited to attend and address the meetings.
The regular meetings give members opportunities to share their ideas, concepts and opinions in an
atmosphere of friendship in a non-threatening environment to stimulate self-image, self-esteem
and confidence.
The Foundation Group was formed in Britain in 1960 under the name of “National Housewives
Register” by a young housewife named Maureen Nicol in 1961. It readily flourished and was later
renamed “National Women’s Register”. It was brought here in 1975 as National Housewives’
Register and a number of informal groups were started in Australia. Prior to 1981 there were several
groups in Australia without any formal ties. When Anne Burns emigrated from Scotland to Sydney
she organised a group at Ryde during June 1982 which was called Women in Touch (WIT) based on
the UK “National Housewives Register”. The Ryde group quickly expanded into four separate groups
in northern Sydney. An interview on ABC radio’s 2BL (now 702) “City Extra” programme with
Margaret Throsby swelled these groups to eight in eighteen months. At the same time groups started
in other states and by the end of 1983 there were seventeen groups. Publicity on television and
radio, together with an article in “Parent and Child” magazine in 1985, consolidated these groups
to fourteen in Sydney with others springing up in many parts of NSW.
During the 1980’s the NSW Board of Adult Education granted WIT funds which were used to establish
a management committee, organise annual conferences and publish newsletters. The organisation
no longer receives any grant. The annual newsletter, publicity and administration costs are entirely
funded by member’s subscriptions. The annual conference is self-funded.
The organisation continued to prosper until 1992 when it changed its name to “National Women’s
Register” (NWR). This brought the Australian membership in line with the international organisation
of NWR. On 9 March 1993 National Women’s Register became incorporated and registered as
National Women’s Register Australia Incorporated.
Today, members in many countries worldwide continue to foster
“A Meeting Point for Lively Minded Women” of all nationalities in
their search for knowledge and a better understanding of the joys
and richness that can improve their lives.