Nine Decades of Friendship and Learning for Lyceum Club

A Whakatāne women’s club is marking 90 years while looking to attract a new generation of members.

A local womens club is celebrating 90 years of education, friendship and connection next week. 

The Ladies Lyceum Club of Whakatāne will mark its anniversary with a 1930s-themed high tea on Thursday, May 18th.

Part of an international organisation, the Whakatāne branch was established in 1936 with the aim of providing a space for women to build friendships and continue lifelong learning, club president Penny Hales said.

"The philosophy behind Lyceum was [provide] somewhere where women could meet and continue building friendships, and continue lifelong learning."

The club organises a range of subgroup activities, including board games, book discussions and catered dinners with guest speakers, giving members opportunities to learn about the world and connect with like-minded women.

Members are also encouraged to share artistic and creative skills and expertise.

File image of past president Barbara Comiskey. IMAGE: Supplied. 

Originally established in England, the Whakatāne branch is the oldest Lyceum club in New Zealand, Hales said.

“We’ve got some other clubs across the Waikato mainly, and one in Tauranga, which just had its 80th birthday.

"It started because women wanted a club where they could go, have a meal and talk about things that were important of the day."

When the club was first formed, activities were vastly different and included gardening groups, Hales said.

She said being a Lyceum member had provided her with many valuable experiences over the years.

Hales has attended international Lyceum congresses in Morocco, Greece and Tauranga, which provided opportunities to learn and meet new people.

Reaching the milestone had been a monumental effort from women across the decades, particularly as society and community needs had changed, she said.

“Society now is so much different than it was when it started, or even during the first four decades of its existence.

“We have to change and think a little bit outside the square, not continue doing what we’ve always done.”

Lyceum ladies engaging in board games. IMAGE: Supplied

The club is now looking to expand its activities to attract younger women and continue the clubs' legacy. 

The group can now connect digitally with other Lyceum clubs and screen talks or presentations locally, opening up new opportunities for members.

“We can perhaps attract some younger women by looking at TED Talks or documentaries that might interest them and include pizza or something like that.

“If they’re travelling overseas, they have the ability to visit other Lyceum clubs, and some clubs have accommodation for members, which is a really good option for women travelling.”

Regular board game nights have already attracted interest, as some younger people look to step away from digital entertainment and reconnect through in-person activities, she said.

“We have some young women who go to the book discussion group who are avid readers and like hearing about the books people are reading.”

She said continuing to evolve was vital to keeping the club alive and encouraging women to keep learning and building connections.