Celebrating Women's Suffrage at the WEA

Centenary of Women’s Suffrage

Contrary to some belief, the WEA does not stand for Women’s Educational Association! However, the WEA has always had a strong female student base; board members; staff and leaders – right from its establishment in South Australia in 1913.

It was fitting then, that the Winter 1994 WEA Course Guide devoted its cover to a celebration of the centenary of women’s suffrage in South Australia. The Guide cover, shown below, featured the women of the House of Assembly and Legislative Council of the day.

 Front to back, left to right: Bernice Pfitzner, Dorothy Kotz, Sandra Kanck, Lorraine Rosenberg, Anne Levy, Julie Greig, Carolyn Pickles, Elizabeth Penfold, Caroline Schaefer, Annette Hurley, Diana Laidlaw, Joan Hall.

Celebratory events were held at the WEA to celebrate women’s right to vote in South Australia and to stand for election to parliament (South Australia was the first state in Australia to grant women the right to vote).  Photos from a celebratory event which launched the Winter Course Guide are also included below. Do you know the names of any of the women in these photos?

A look to the past, to an influential staff member

Victor Eugene Cromer, was one of WEA’s founding members. Joining us in 1917 as acting Secretary (CEO) and later appointed as Position of Generals. The five short years Cromer spent at the WEA were integral to the development of the then, new organisation.

Cromer is remembered for his strong opinions and beliefs, which often caused controversy. For example, Cromer was very supportive of the introduction of ‘un-scientific’ courses at the WEA, a subject that was scandalous in the early 1900’s. Cromer stood by his beliefs on the matter and this has been said to be an integral component to the successful progression of the WEA.

Described as a ‘Christian Mystic’, he believed that WWII was caused by the astronomic movements of the planets that ultimately affected ‘Kiser’. His strong conviction took him to attend the Second International Communist Conferences where he announced that the ‘World Revolution’ would begin in Adelaide.

His work with the WEA is regarded as extremely progressive. Cromer spent five years in influential roles until retired from the WEA and continued on to Sydney where he became a ‘Spiritual Healer’. His time in Sydney also saw the collaboration with Walter Burley Griffin, the landscape architect and designer of Canberra.

He married his wife in Paris and had three children when working at the WEA, and his son was a shop keeper in the Barossa.

Victor Eugene Cromer has been described as a tremendously dedicated individual, a socialist and a memorable person.

Forty years on...



Lynette tutoring a Stress Management Class in the 80's



Lynette in 2007                                                    

Lynette M Miller (featured above) is a wonderful example of not only the impact WEA can have on one’s life, but the impact one individual can have on WEA.

Lynette’s journey with the WEA started in the 1970’s when she enrolled in her first course, Bookkeeping. This first course would mark the beginning of a forty year relationship with the WEA, one that continues to this day.   

After her initial course in Bookkeeping Lynette participated in numerous courses, including crocheting and belly dancing (we wish we had a photo).

 It was in the mid 80’s when an advertisement requesting tutors for new courses at the WEA caught her eye.  Lynette’s decided to apply for the Stress Management Course as she thought ‘having three children in less than two years and being self-employed seemed to qualify me for coping with stress’.

Taking on the role as tutor for the Stress Management course highlighted Lynette’s passion for teaching life skills to adults, as well as her need for constant personal development. Her efforts saw her nominated as an Outstanding Adult Educator in 1995. Working as a tutor at WEA also led her to write a book First Steps to Managing Stress, published in 1999.

When WEA required additional staff, Lynette jumped on board in the enrolment team, seeing her face a computer screen for the very first time!

Lynette’s thirst for knowledge in a variety of areas is evident in the courses she has completed over the years. Some of these courses include; philosophy, wine tasting, Indian and Thai cooking, and even participating in WEA travel tours all around the world.

Lynette tries to do at least one or two courses a year and when asked what was next on her WEA agenda she replied ‘jewellery!’

We have been very lucky to have Lynette involved with WEA over such a long period of time and are grateful for her continuous support and presence within our community.

A New Chapter for the WEA

Featured in this image from the WEA archives, is Alison Patridge. Alison was the first person with a disability to work in the Disability Service at the WEA. The funding for this section began in 1987 and has been a successful component of the WEA ever since.

 

Alison Patridge

 

This photo below was taken in the River Murray in 1987. Larry Kern was the primary director of the ‘Integrated Tour Organisation’ that ran outdoor tours that included both disabled and able persons. The content shown in this image is a canoe tour through the River Murray.

River Murray 1987

The Workers of the Workers' Educational Association

Basil Eckert & Lina Cocca
'Home Handypersons Skills' - 1981

In this photo we see a man named Basil Eckert instructing this woman, Lina Cocca, as he demonstrates tap washer replacement. This image was captured during 1981 in a class titled ‘Home Handypersons Skills’. Eckert before his time at the WEA was a builder and was responsible for the development of the Mitcham Public Library. At this time, Eckert was not feeling confident with the idea of teaching a class – even though he was more than qualified through his knowledge of this subject. He was subsequently convinced to tutor the class, and successfully did so with admiration from his students.  

Basil Eckert’s experience of career change is inspiring to others, and reminded us here at the WEA of another story that was published in our book ‘A Touch of Class- How the WEA changed my life’, edited by David Schuppan and Caroline Cleland. It regards a man named Chris Temby who successfully manufactured his career with the WEA.

Chris Temby was a tutor for the WEA for many years, teaching Technical Analysis for the Stock Market, he recalls his time with us as opportune.

In his retirement, Chris was able to dedicate his time to a topic that had always interested him – the Australian stock market. He discovered there were no Australian books on the subject. Chris asked himself – “Was this a door?” He had the time to write a manuscript for a book draft, and before he knew it, a Melbourne publisher with a specialty in stock market books had accepted the document. As a result of Chris’ interest in the WEA and its courses, he would always scan the Course Guide delivered by the Messenger several times each year. This was when he noticed ‘that there was a single, lonely stock market-related course, as part of the Investment and Money program’. He asked himself once again - ‘Is there a door here waiting to be opened?’

 

Indeed there was. An opportunity had presented itself for Chris, as one of the tutors for this course was calling it a day and the WEA was looking for a replacement course. In the next four years, Chris, together with his wife Heather, expanded the number of stock market courses to four and has lectured over 1,000 students.

Chris remembers his time with the WEA fondly, “there is a satisfaction in being a part of the WEA… in responding to the challenge of an open door and doing something completely new.”

The WEA has provided opportunities for many South Australians, from employment as tutors to education in short courses. The power and motivation of knowledge is truly outstanding.

Do you have a story similar to Chis’ account? Or if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post below!

Graham's Castle

Graham's Castle

The site of Grahams Castle was purchased by a Mr. Abraham Graham in 1862, which was formerly owned by Messrs. Prankerd and Stuckey. The building was developed that year and titled ‘Castle’ Nelcoongal, this is where Mr. Graham lived with his family for a few years until they moved to a Mill Cottage in Goolwa. It was in 1885 that he built ‘Barrange’, a short distance from the Castle on the main Goolwa to Port Elliot Road, where it still remains.



How to get to Graham's Castle

Unfortunately the years showed on the Castle, being subject to frequent and hasty transactions, until it was eventually purchased by the WEA in 1962. During this time, it was the limestone build with thick walls that had enabled the Castle to maintain its overall structure. The Castle had, before this, been home to many inhabitants such as Mr. Charles Tucker, Mayor of Adelaide; numerous holiday makers during the occupancy of the Bradford’s; and also as a club house for the Goolwa Golf Club. The land had even been used for grazing sheep. It was in this state that the WEA made the purchase and took on the enormous task of fixing it up. At this point, there were no doors, no windows; the ceilings had been scored with axe marks, walls and floors burned from fires. As well this, animal and bird droppings, moldy mattresses and a lizard inhabiting the fireplace! Due to the number of previous ‘squatters’, every scrap of material, furniture and fittings had been removed from the property. 

 

Mrs. Pash, Member and Executive of the WEA, was the initiator of the purchase of Graham’s Castle as she came across the building while visiting a friend in Goolwa. She retold her experience of viewing the Castle to Colin Lawton, former WEA Secretary and representative of the University of Adelaide, Mr. A. O. Thiele, former President of the WEA and Eric Williams, former General Secretary of the WEA. From this, the proposal was put up to the WEA council, and after a few productive meetings, the decision for purchase prevailed. The strongest opposing argument was financial but was overruled by the enthusiasm of the potential for the Castle.

 

 

Mrs. Pash took on the mission to fix-up the castle armed with only 500 pounds to furnish the building. She had informal assistance from Mr. Thiele who successfully enlisted Frank Jarman, who was a local builder, as well as fund raising support from groups such as the WEA Ramblers and the Art Club. Ms. Pash made the effort of hunting for two years to find authentic colonial furniture, searching through second-hand stores all over the city. Some beautiful pieces were discovered, very little of which remain. Elbow grease and many working bees were acknowledged for the progression of the building that was very much depleted.  
 

Fortunately a Government grant of £5,000 allowed for a proper architectural scheme to be created, including a caretaker’s house and two accommodation blocks that were separate from the house.
 

The opening of Graham’s Castle in 1964 coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the WEA of South Australia. It was a huge success, the building looked beautiful and was wonderfully decorated, fitted with pieces such as a lamp donated by the Art Club, a clock by the Ramblers and Graham’s cupboard. The WEA was praised for the courage and foresight in setting up the first residential college in Australia.

 

 

The Castle ran popular summer schools organized between the WEA and the Adult Education Department of the University. These ranged from painting, bird watching, sculpture and so on, and attracted a list of well-known Adelaide identities such as Brian Seidel, Ruth Tuck and Joan Paton.
 

Summer School 1966

 

 

Unfortunately, there were restrictions and difficulties in regards to finances and satisfactory staffing, as well as this; long distance organising made it uneconomical for the WEA to maintain the Castle. In terms of the structure now, the interior has seen many changes, but much has been left undisturbed and has been regarded as maintaining its original character and dignity. Very little of Mrs. Pash’s lovingly donated furniture remains. The WEA’s sole souvenir from these times is the lamp, once donated by the Art Club.

 

 

A stalwart of local history, over 100 years on, Graham’s Castle’s still flourishes, this time in its current incarnation is as a quaint Bed and Breakfast.

 

The WEA for opening doors...

Denis Binnion & John Bannon 1986 

Denis Binnion has been prominently involved with the WEA for the last 30 years, currently as a committee member and formerly as Executive Officer. In a brief meeting with Denis, we heard about his experience being interviewed for his initial position many years ago.

His interviewer was Mr Eric Williams, and Denis was being asked what he knew about the WEA. The only connection with the WEA that Denis could recall was his brother-in-law's uncle Colin Prideaoux. This man was a particularly good example of what the WEA stands for and proved to be a very appropriate response to Eric's question.

Denis' relative had been working as a tram driver and took part in some WEA courses with the aim to further his education and knowledge. At this time, Universities were elite systems and not so welcoming to the public as they are today. So this man, armed with the motivation to learn, undertook some economics and history classes with the WEA, while continuing his work on the trams. From his experience with these classes he gained the knowledge and ability to apply this information to achieve a prominent role working as a Union Representative for tram workers.

This genuine testimony struck the core of Eric as it whole-heartedly represented the principles of the Workers' Education Association of South Australia. It was made clear that Denis was the right man for the job through his obvious understanding of the values of the organisation.

Do you have any similar stories, your own or one that you've heard? We would love to hear them! Email us at WEA2013@wea-sa.com.au