Our next Saturday Symposium will be on Saturday 19th September at 3pm AEST
GFS Australia - An Anglican Ministry
GFS Australia began as a local branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society 140 years ago in South Australia.
GFS was founded in England in 1875 by Mary Townsend.
GFS Australia, like many organisations that began over 140 years ago, strives to keep relevant and maintain our identity in today’s society.
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A Short History of GFS in Australia
The first local Australian branch was formed in Adelaide in 1879, with branches being established in a diocese in all states by 1901. It aimed to facilitate friendship between ladies (Associates) and working girls (members).
Associates would help find members jobs and encourage them in Christian behaviour. The activities of local groups varied considerably.
In the early days of the GFS, branches generally held meetings for working girls and several also ran hostels to provide them with safe and supportive accommodation in the major cities of each state.
GFs broadened its ministry to girls by running after school groups, camps and leadership training courses, but each diocese often ran independently of each other.
From 1947, the separate GFS Dioceses around the country decided to create a Commonwealth Council, with a National Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to guide and grow the ministry while building good relationships and communication across our vast country.
Today, GFS Australia operates in 9 dioceses across the country, with ministry groups containing children, youth and adults.
GFS Today
Today, the Girls Friendly Society operates within the Anglican Church in over 30 countries around the world. Each country is a member of GFS World under the leadership of the GFS World President. They gather together every three years at a World Council Meeting.