Girls’ Friendly Society – History and Identity

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

A Living Legacy of Friendship, Faith, and Service

The Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) has been part of the life of St John’s, Soldiers Hill, for many decades. While the active parish branch closed in the mid-1990s, the spirit of GFS continues today through the Diocesan GFS and our faithful Townsend Group, whose members keep alive the ethos of friendship, encouragement, and Christian service.

GFS at St John’s has shaped generations of girls and young women—helping them grow in faith, leadership, confidence, and community.

GFS at St John’s: A Vibrant Community (1970s–1990s)

From the 1970s through to the mid-1990s, GFS was a thriving ministry at St John’s.
Each Monday evening, up to 44 girls gathered for the GFS four-point program:

Worship
Study
Work
Play

Meetings always began with a short prayer service in the church, led by the parish priest. GFS girls also served at the 1st Sunday Eucharist each month—parading the banner, reading Scripture, leading intercessions, welcoming parishioners, taking up the offertory, and singing during Communion.

Groups and Activities

Juniors: 8–12 years
Seniors: 12+ years
The Teddy-Bear Group: Introduced in 1989 for girls up to age 7

Girls enjoyed a rich program including:

crafts and creative projects
sports and netball competitions
diocesan concerts and exhibitions
camps, rallies, and Christian rock music nights
activities linked to the seasons of the Church

They also worked towards a wide range of badges, proudly worn on their uniforms.

Leadership and Achievement

Strong emphasis was placed on training young leaders. Many Junior and Senior Cadets grew into gifted leaders who represented the Diocese of Ballarat at:

GFS National Camps
GFS National Council
GFS World Council
Anglican Youth Synod
Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camps

A point of great pride is that four St John’s GFS members became the first in Australia to earn the prestigious GFS Challenge Badge, the highest national award.

Leaders Over the Years

Mrs Eleanor Hannaford, Jean Hulls, Dawn Kenyon, Fran Lepp, Julienne Sharp, Carol Sansom, Lorraine Doull, Nathalie Stevens, Adrienne Yates, Jenny Allen, Julie Stevens, Sharon Stevens, Leonore Ray, Lyndal Buchanan, Donna Tregenza, Samantha Veal, Paula Jennings, Jean McCauseland, Michelle Ferrara, Charmaine Bingley, Nicole Hardy, Claire Blake and Jessica Swan.

Their dedication helped shape the lives of countless young people.

Transition and Change

By the mid-1990s, attendance declined as many young leaders moved away for work and study.
The parish branch formally closed in 1995—bringing to a close more than a century of local GFS ministry (the first Diocesan group having begun in 1883 at the Cathedral).

Yet the dream of GFS did not vanish; it evolved.

The Townsend Group – Continuing the GFS Spirit Today

Following the closure of the parish branch in 1995, members of St John’s continued their GFS connection through the Townsend Group—named for Elizabeth Mary Townsend, who founded GFS in England in 1875.

Today, the Ballarat Diocesan Townsend Group is one of the largest and most active in Australia, carrying forward the GFS tradition of friendship, encouragement, and Christian service.

The Townsend Group at St John’s brings together:

former GFS leaders and members
mothers of GFS girls
women formed by GFS as children
parishioners and supporters who value fellowship and service

Members meet regularly throughout the year—typically four times—for guest speakers, fellowship, craft, shared stories, and prayer.
These gatherings are warm, lively occasions where faith and friendship are woven together in the GFS spirit.

Crafts and Charity

The Townsend craft workers are well known across the Diocese for their beautiful handmade items, lovingly created and donated to charitable causes. Their work has supported a wide range of ministries locally and globally.

In 2012 alone, financial and practical support was given to:

ABM African Crisis Appeal
Access Ministries
Anglicare
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Seafarers Mission
Bishop’s Aipo Rongo Appeal

Their knitters and craft workers are always grateful for donations of wool and materials—small gifts that help continue a long tradition of practical Christian service.

GFS Today: Local, National, and Global

GFS is a worldwide organisation of the Anglican Communion, offering ministries in a safe, welcoming, and Christ-centred environment. Today, GFS involves children, young people, families, and adults. Some countries now welcome both girls and boys.

The core purpose remains unchanged:

To share Christ’s love, offer friendship, and serve others.
To bear one another’s burdens.
To encourage every person to reach their God-given potential.

Across the world, GFS offers:

evangelism and Christian formation
encouragement and pastoral support
leadership development
community service
education and empowerment programs

The World Council meets every three years, supporting global projects—especially in developing countries—and strengthening ministry to young women and children. The next World Council will be held in South Africa, hosted by World President Thembekka Pama.

More information: www.gfsworld.org | gfsaustralia.org.au

A Continuing Story

At St John’s, the Girls’ Friendly Society has left a long and loving legacy.
It formed friendships, nurtured faith, trained leaders, and connected our parish to the wider Anglican Communion.

Today, through the Townsend Group and Diocesan GFS, this legacy continues—rooted in the same hope that inspired Elizabeth Townsend in 1875: