• Entry type: Organisation
  • Entry ID: IMP0211

KarraKatta Club

(From 1894 – )

Summary

Author Monica Starke writes in the publication The Alexandra Club:

“The honour of being the first women’s club in Australia belongs to the Karrakatta Club, founded in Perth in 1894… The inspiration for the club came from Dr Emily Ryder, a visiting American who was so impressed by the standard of the books studied by the St George’s Reading Circle and the members’ ability in debate that she suggested the formation of a club modelled on the Education Clubs that were popular with American women. A well-attended meeting, convened by two distinguished members of the teaching profession, unanimously voted to form a club on the lines explained to them by Dr Ryder. Sociability would not have been ruled out as an aim but Dr Ryder obviously envisaged an active role in public affairs for the new club since she warned that ‘ridicule would be cast on the club but they must make up their minds to live down opposition and ignore ridicule’. With this attractive future predicted for it the Karrakatta Club set off bravely with thirty-eight foundation members and four departments: hygiene, literature, arts and, as an afterthought, because of the continuing battle for the enfranchisement of women, legal and educational.”

Published resources

  • Book
    • The Alexandra Club : A Narrative 1903-1983, Starke, Monica, 1986
    • Karrakatta Club, incorporated : history, 1894-1954
  • Newspaper Article
    • [Editorial praising the Karrakatta Club for its suggestions as to how the Queen's Diamond Jubilee can be celebrated.], 1897
  • Conference Paper
    • Heredity and environment, [Jull, Roberta], 1899
  • Journal Article
    • In the thick of every battle for the cause of Labor' : the voluntary work of the Labor women's organisations in Western Australia, 1900-1970, Oliver, Bobbie, 2001
  • Resource

Archival resources

  • State Library of Western Australia
    • Records, 1894-1981 [manuscript]
    • Letter from Mrs Phoebe Holmes to Mrs Gavan Duffy, 23 December 1923 about the Karrakatta Club
    • Papers, 1899-1956 [manuscript]
    • Women's Service Guilds of Western Australia records

Related entries


  • Foundation Member
    • Forrest, Margaret Elvire (1844 - 1929)
    • Swanton, Mary Hynes (1861 - 1940)
    • Holmes, Marion Louisa (1856 - 1921)
  • Member
    • Jull, Roberta Henrietta Margaritta (1872 - 1961)
    • Battye, Margaret (1909 - 1949)
    • Cardell-Oliver, Annie Florence Gillies (1876 - 1965)
    • Rischbieth, Bessie Mabel (1874 - 1967)
    • Lukis, Meroula Frances Fellowes (Mollie) (1911 - 2009)
  • Related Organisations
    • Women's Service Guilds of Western Australia (1909 - 1997)
  • Founded
    • Swanton, Mary Hynes (1861 - 1940)
  • Membership
    • Holmes, Marion Phoebe (1880 - 1966)
    • Craig, Margaret June (1930 - )