One of the most remarkable achievements within the Business and Professional Women (BPW)Australian Federation (not by the Federation) was the development of Probus Women’s Housing. The success of this project was due to the determination, faith, and continuous hard work of Miss Madge Anges of the BPW Melbourne club.
In the 50’s and 60’s superannuation for women was unheard of. Madge realised there were many single working women who had to leave their jobs to stay home and look after aging parents. When the parents died, family properties were divided between siblings with women often receiving much less than their brothers. It certainly was not enough to buy a house for themselves.
Madge presented her proposal for building accommodation for women to the 11th BPW Australia Federation Conference where it was first rejected.
At the 12th conference in Melbourne in 1960,Madge asked again for permission to form an organisation for the accommodation and care of women 60 years and over who had retired from active work. This proposal was endorsed in principal with the organisation to be known as Probus Women’s Housing Association.
The title Probus Women’s Housing Association was taken from the Probus Women’s Housing Society Ltd. of Great Britain. With PROBUS being the beginning of the words PROfessional, and BUSiness, and the Latin word for ‘Integrity’.
By the 13th conference in 1962 it was decided that action on the matter of the Probus Women’s Housing Association was to be to be left up to the individual clubs. This gave Madge the opportunity to put her proposal into action.Together with a group of 12 women from localVictorian BPW clubs the Association was formed.
Soon enough funds were raised and after much searching land at 36 Edgar Street Glen Iris was purchased, providing a suitable location to build a group of flats close to transport and shops.
Initially over 100 applications for housing at 36 Edgar Street were received. With only 16 flats available it was clear there was a great need for women’s housing.As there were so many applicants on the waiting list a second piece of land was purchased in 1968 at 11 Maverston Street Glen Iris.
With a long history of helping women who have retired from active work and are seeking housing assistance, the Probus Women’s Housing Association is proud to continue to offer affordable housing for women in the Glen Iris flats today.
