HIST30004 A History of Sexualities: Pre-1960s resources on Women and Sexuality

Women’s Christian Temperance Union

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Victoria was founded in 1887 when the 12 existing local branches in Melbourne suburbs and regional Victoria joined together to form a Colonial Union. It is primarily dedicated to promoting total abstinence from alcohol and other harmful drugs and all members sign a pledge to this effect. Under its broader agenda of 'home protection' and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and in its belief that the dangers of alcohol could not be tackled in isolation, the WCTU has pursued a very wide-ranging reform agenda mostly relating to the welfare of women and children. Importantly, influenced by its sister organisation in the United States, the Union became a major supporter of the campaign for women's suffrage in Australia as it was believed that power at the ballot box was the only way to achieve their goals. While at its most influential in the years up to WWI, the movement continues today.

The first local Union was established in Victoria in 1885 and the movement grew rapidly. The Victorian Union was founded largely due to the efforts of Marie Kirk and the Rev. Philip Moses who arranged the first Organising Conference in 1887. The foundation president was Mary Love, who had been a member of the Union in the United States prior to her move to Melbourne in 1886. At its first Annual Convention in 1888, the Union outlined its operational agenda of 'Organisation, Preventive Work, Social Work and Educational Work.' By 1891 it had 57 branches.

By 1890 the Victorian Union had also committed itself to the suffrage cause: passing a resolution that: 'As men and women are alike in having to obey the laws … they should also be equal in electing those who make the laws; and, further, that the ballot in the hands of women would be a safeguard to the home, in which the interests of women are paramount, and as what is good for the home is also good for the State, the enfranchisement of women would be conducive to the highest national welfare.' In 1891 the Union sent a deputation to the Premier who responded cautiously that in order for him to take any action on the matter there would need to be united and representative agitation on the part of women. The Union thus approached the other two suffrage societies to discuss combined action. It was decided to launch a vigorous effort to gather signatures for a petition. They began a massive door knocking campaign which captured much attention. Never before had such large numbers of women taken to the streets in common cause. 30,000 signatures were collected and presented to parliament. The Union was instrumental in the formation of the Victorian Woman's Suffrage League in 1894.

The Union has also been involved in a range of other issues and causes. It was one of the first four groups to affiliate with the National Council of Women of Victoria in 1902. From its inception, the Union became concerned with children's welfare. It campaigned for reforms in the 'boarding-out' system and the appointment of inspectors and the raising of the age of consent for girls from 12 to 16 years. In 1909 it established Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Victoria Kindergarten in Richmond, with an associated School for Mothers which held lectures by doctors and had visiting nurses. This was the first such institution in the State and was a forerunner of Baby Health Centres. The Kindergarten closed in 1953, but was reopened as an Occupational Centre for Mentally Retarded Children. From its earliest years it has also run a children's branch, the Loyal Temperance Union. From its earliest days, the Union has also been interested in the welfare of working-class 'girls', forming Clubs for Girls and offering affordable accommodation and meals at various hostels and its headquarters.

Other issues tackled by its various Departments of Work included prison reform, Aboriginal welfare, sex education, film censorship, early childhood education, peace and arbitration. In recent years, the WCTU has turned its attention to drug education, anti-smoking and gambling strategies and to the campaign against drink-driving.