- From
- 1883
- Categories
- Care Provider, Anglican
- Alternative Names
-
- Church of England Girls' Friendly Society
- GFS
- Location
-
The Girls' Friendly Society (GFS) was established in Victoria in 1883. The movement was originally established in England in the 1870s. It had strong links to the Church of England. In Melbourne, the GFS provided accommodation and services to immigrants and female travellers. According to O'Hanlon, the Girls' Friendly Society 'operated a system whereby unchaperoned young women would be met and protected as they travelled nationally and internationally in search of work, or to take up positions already promised. From 1925 to 1935, the Girls' Friendly Society ran the School of Homecrafts Hostel in East Melbourne. The Girls' Friendly Society still exists in 2018 as a worldwide organisation, that no longer focuses solely on girls.
