Leading with Purpose, Shaping with Legacy
We are not just a club. We are a century-strong heartbeat of women who lead, give and grow with purpose.
Brisbane Women’s Club is the space where ambition meets contribution. What began in 1908 as a pioneering circle of suffragettes is now a multi-generational collective of doers, dreamers and difference-makers. Entrepreneurs, executives, creatives and community leaders converge here, unified by one thing: the desire to do good while doing well.
We host elegant events with substance, champion causes that matter, and create circles where support is tangible. For us, connection isn’t just about proximity – it’s about shared purpose.
Our Mission
To gather Queensland’s most purposeful women and channel their energy, influence and generosity into lasting impact.
We connect through:
- Curated events with substance
- Structured giving models for strategic impact
- Community-led change powered by visibility and voice
We believe women thrive most when in the company of those who want to rise and raise others. That’s our mission. That’s our magic.
Our Core Values
Connection
Deep, generous relationships over transactional interactions
Contribution
Every action with intention and ripple effect
Leadership
Empowered women cultivating empowered communities
Legacy
Leaving something meaningful, and then some
Our Leadership
Our board is a brilliant, diverse group of women who lead with grace and strategy. From governance to grassroots, their expertise drives every decision behind BWC. These are not figureheads – they are the pulse behind our progress.
Ursula South
My role is to keep bringing exciting My role is to work with the Board to ensure we adhere to our financial governance requirements and to contribute to the decision making for event funding and the grant payments. I am passionate about supporting women in their professional lives by sharing my experiences and learning from theirs. I am delighted to be in a club that supports women through awareness, events, grants and donations.
Jacqui Schultz
My role should be called Director of Fun! I organise amazing events that allow women to come together to celebrate, collaborate, network, fundraise and support those who need it most. I love harnessing the power of the collective – where Brisbane women can come together and support other Brisbane women – socially, professionally, and personally.
Rachael Pimm
My role is to support our wonderful members, to lead improvements and change that make our Club the one to join, as well as supporting the overall BWC goals and vision. I’m passionate about making the Brisbane Women’s Club the best it can be, to support women and help them achieve their goals.
Lisa Riley
My role is to keep bringing exciting opportunities for supporting Brisbane women to the BWC community; and to support individual Board members lead change according to our strategic goals. I am excited about building the BWC legacy and creating a community where influential women of Brisbane can support other women for change.
Deanne Hansell
In my role, I ensure we support women by raising funds that are distributed to projects and organisations that benefit our community and the women of Brisbane that need our help the most. I feel honoured to be the Charitable Grants Director, which allows me to support local women to my best ability, contribute to their well-being and a brighter future.
Our modern-day story
Brisbane Women’s Club (BWC) was founded in 1908 by Margaret Ogg to make Brisbane a better place for women to live and work. Since 1908 the Club has been a champion for change in our community to support and improve the lives of local women.
Today, BWC continues to support Brisbane women by funding a range of organisations, projects and events that unite, uplift and uphold women to achieve their potential.
BWC run a series of both professional and fundraising events throughout the year as well as a charitable giving program, including our legacy of giving grants, donations and financial contributions to key Brisbane charities aligned with our values and charitable objectives.
Members of BWC join a passionate group of people wanting to support local women; and enjoy themselves along the way. We love it when you bring your friends and share the power of our Club and what we can achieve together.
Our History
One of the oldest women’s clubs in Queensland, Brisbane Women’s Club was formed in 1908 under the sponsorship of the Queensland Women’s Electoral League. Originally called the Women’s Progressive Club, the name was changed to The Brisbane Women’s Club in May 1912 and shortened to Brisbane Women’s Club in 2008. Brisbane Women’s Club was founded by Margaret Ogg, an extraordinary woman with a passion to improve the lives of Queensland women.
The founding objectives of the club were to provide a social centre for women workers in the cause of reform and to encourage free discussion on subjects of public importance, including social, political and municipal matters. The club lobbied the Brisbane City Council and the State Government for the betterment of the community and supported the establishment of Women’s College at the University of Queensland. In an effort to improve the life of rural women, the club was instrumental in the establishment of the Queensland Country Women’s Association in 1922 and the Bush Book Club in 1921.
The club sponsored such reforms as:
- waiting sheds for tram passengers
- numbering tram stops
- name plates on trees in the Botanical Gardens
- dating milk bottles
- erecting a shelter shed on North Quay
- installing traffic lights at busy intersections
- the supply of milk for school children
- zebra crossings outside schools
- better street lighting
- equal pay for women
- the removal of the double standard in divorce laws
- the right of women to sit on juries
- the establishment of baby clinics
- changes to laws that would allow women to be elected to local councils and to sit on governing boards
- the introduction of domestic science for schoolgirls into the Queensland school curriculum
Our Patron
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland accepted an invitation to act as Patron of Brisbane Women’s Club in early 2022, with such patronage remaining in place for the duration of Her Excellency’s term in office.
Her Excellency was sworn-in as the 27th Governor of Queensland on 1 November 2021, for more information, view her biography here.
Brisbane Women’s Club Board said it was a great privilege to have the endorsement and support of Her Excellency as Patron of our Club. “We thank Her Excellency for her leadership and profile in promoting women in Brisbane and more broadly Queensland; and that through this partnership we hope to assist, promote, encourage and recognise all Brisbane women to continue to make Brisbane a better place for women to live and work.”
A Legacy That Continues to Grow
We come from legacy. We build new ones every day. And we invite you to be part of the story.
About Our Co-working Place
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Our Team
People Who Love Our Place
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