Brisbane Women's Club - BWC

A new way of making impact.

Every event. Every raffle. Every drive. Every bursary 🎗️

They’re not one-offs. They’re expressions of what happens when women come together with purpose.

At BWC, we UNITE to build community, we UPLIFT through action, and we UPHOLD each other’s growth... personally, professionally, and collectively.

This is more than a club.

It’s a catalyst.

And we’re just getting started 💜

💪 UPHOLD | A strong community of women with support to become stronger, more confident leaders among equals.

Leadership at BWC isn’t about titles, it’s about action, support, and legacy.

We invest in women’s potential through education bursaries, symbolic initiatives, and creative partnerships, including:

🫶 National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) Bursaries – $2,000 grants in 2023 & 2024

🫶 The Women's College within the University of Queensland Community Builder Prize – $500 (2023) and $750 (2024)

🫶 The Wilted Rose (2022) – Support for women in the arts

🫶 Red Bench installations at Lovewell Café and Women’s College - raising domestic violence awareness

We also support grassroots organisations with basic but essential items:
💜 A Brave Life – Toiletries for expectant mothers
💜 Support The Girls Australia – Bra drive at our Ciao Papi Long Lunch
💜 Zig Zag House, Signal Flare, Lovewell Foundation – Holiday hampers, warm clothing, and journaling tools for vulnerable women and youth.

🌱 UPLIFT | And improve the quality of women’s lives both personally and professionally.

From education to emotional wellbeing, BWC channels support into areas that uplift women across all stages of life.

Through annual goods drives and raffles, we’ve helped stock hospitals, fill care packages, and provide essentials to those who need them most.

Examples include:

🎗️ High Tea Drives
- RBWH Foundation (2022) – Pyjamas & underwear
- Hummingbird House (2023) – Pamper packs for carers of terminally ill children
- Small Steps 4 Hannah (2024) – Bedding and homeware for Hannah’s Sanctuary

🎗️ Soirée Drives
- 4 Voices (2022) – Tea and biscuits for their outreach van
- Reason to Thrive (2023) – Items for equine therapy care
- The Carers Foundation Australia (2024) – Slippers, pyjamas, and pamper packs for unpaid carers.

🎗️ Raffle partners have included:
- The Forgotten Women (2023) – Supporting homeless women over 50
- Cherish Foundation (2024) – Gynaecological cancer research
- Small Steps 4 Hannah (2024) – Ongoing support for DV prevention.

🤝 UNITE | For the common purpose of making positive changes for all women in Brisbane.

Brisbane Women’s Club has always been about more than events… it’s about building a shared vision for a better, safer, and more equitable world for women.

That vision comes to life through our deep commitment to community giving. Over the past several years, BWC has proudly supported local charities that work tirelessly to improve the lives of women and their families.

Highlights include:
💝 $10,000+ donated to Hannah's House
💝 $10,000 donated to Small Steps 4 Hannah
Both leading the way in domestic violence prevention and recovery.

Plus annual grants awarded to organisations including:
✨ 4 Voices (2021)
✨ Reason to Thrive (2022 – $4,000)
✨ So Brave and Hannah's House (2023)
✨ Naturalena Foundation (2024)

Each of these recipients shares our belief that change begins when we stand together.

We were proud to have our BWC Director, Jacqui Schultz represent the club last week at the annual Women’s College Academic Dinner and Alumnae Awards event.

BWC was honoured to once again sponsor the “BWC Young Achiever” Prize recognising a female student who “has displayed exceptional qualities and has achieved notable success, making a positive impact on their community or society at large”.

This year’s recipient Adara Curry is incredibly deserving, and we look forward to following her journey throughout her university years.

BWC - Unite, Uplift and Uphold - Brisbane Women

After Margaret Ogg’s passing in 1953, the club honoured her legacy with a scholastic bursary for high-achieving young women.

This tradition evolved into the BWC & Yvonne Haysom Bursary, now awarded annually through the Griffith University Conservatorium to support emerging female creatives 🧑‍🎓

Her legacy continues to empower the next generation.

Throughout the 20th century, the BWC led essential reforms for women, including:

✔️ equal pay
✔️ fair divorce laws
✔️ the right to sit on juries
✔️ the right to serve on local councils and governing boards

Empowerment through action has always been central to our purpose.



📸 Courtesy of National Museum of Australia

The BWC championed reforms that transformed Brisbane’s daily life, advocating for:

🚌 Tram waiting sheds & numbered tram stops

🥛 School milk programs & zebra crossings

💡 Better street lighting & traffic lights at busy intersections

These improvements were practical steps toward a safer, stronger city.



📸 Courtesy of Local Heritage Brisbane

BWC members met immigrant ships at Brisbane’s docks to welcome young women arriving alone, helping them navigate their new lives.

In 1929, they founded the Traveller’s Aid Society, ensuring tired and confused travellers could safely reach their accommodation or connections.

Compassion has always been at our heart.



📸 Courtesy of Traveller’s Aid Australia

During both World Wars, BWC members formed the War Work Circle, crafting 126 camouflage nets, over 2,500 garments, and raising funds for the Red Cross.

Members also served in WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War, demonstrating extraordinary dedication to Australia and its people.



📸 Courtesy of Country Women’s Association