YWCA goes from eight to one in national merger
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YWCA Australia announced that a unanimous vote across eight YWCA’s across Australia would see the organisation successfully merge into one united group.
The national association, which works towards creating an environment for Australian women to have equal access to power, opportunity and resources, voted in favour of the merger in a move they have been working towards for years.
In a statement to members in the Explanatory Statement for the amalgamation, Julie Boyd, YWCA Australia President, said: “I am really looking forward to working collaboratively with Members, teams, partners and the new Board and executive to position the YWCA as the leading national women’s organisation for gender equality.
“YWCAs around Australia have delivered some fantastic programs and services and there is real potential to expand our impact as a national organisation.”
The implementation of the merger will begin on the 31st of May, with day one of the new and united entity planned for the 1st of June.
YWCA Adelaide, Albury-Wodonga, Broken Hill, Darwin, NSW, Perth, Queensland and Victoria collaborated on the merge with a unanimous decision from each board to go ahead with the national plan. This was finalised before the Federal Court of Victoria on the 22nd of May to effect the Schemes of Arrangement.
YWCA Australia said in a statement the vote “signifies a momentous occasion” in the history of the YWCA movement.
“After today we are now one step closer to becoming a strong, national and feminist organisation of women, young women and girls working for gender equality.”
In February of this year, the YWCA appointed Michelle Phillips to the role of CEO following an endorsement from the Members Association and the YWCA Australia Board. Phillips brings a strong background in the women’s sector to the role.
In the Explanatory Statement, YWCA Housing said the merge was an “unprecedented opportunity” to become the first national women’s association as part of a united, feminist voice for all Australian women.
“With the present national housing crisis and the continued disproportionate housing insecurity experienced by Australian women, now is the time.”
Merging Members Association affiliates are asked to register with YWCA Australia as prior memberships with individual affiliates are to be dissolved with the merger.
