VPRS 19841 Mothers' Club Minute Books

This series comprises volumes recording the minutes of meetings held by the Mother’s Club (alternatively called Parents’ Club or Parents’ Association) for Swan Hill Primary School (School No. 1142) (VA 3473). Local school committees and councils have existed in some form since the beginning of State education in Victoria. Mothers’ clubs were typically comprised solely of the mothers of students attending the school while school councils were established with both parents and teachers, working alongside mothers’ clubs and responsible for some of the local management of the school. As the Education Department (VA 714) formally recognised only one parent association in each school (usually the School Council), funds raised by mothers’ clubs were handed over to the school councils. In 1925, mothers’ clubs across the state joined to form the Victorian Federation of Mothers’ Clubs (VFMC). They were instrumental in acting as a mouthpiece for parents to voice their views to the government of the day, as well as assisting parents to understand changes to government policy as they arose. In 1959, VFMC was renamed Victorian Federation of State Schools Mothers’ Clubs (VFSSMC) so as not to be confused with new mothers’ clubs emerging in non-government schools. In 1966, mothers’ clubs were recognised as separate organisations and could administer their own funds alongside school councils. Until 1974, State primary schools had school committees made up of parents, while State high schools and technical schools had councils comprised of parents and other community members. In 1975, changes to the Education Act 1958 (Vic) allowed the establishment of school councils with common powers across all State schools. Mothers’ clubs continued to operate but no longer had any of the responsibilities of an official school council.  Also in 1975, the Federation changed name to Victorian Federation of State School Parents’ Clubs (VFSSPC) and enabled men to join. In 2000, VFSSPC was renamed Parents Victoria. Minutes for these clubs could include names of members present; who voted for and against motions; enrolment figures; staffing; school activities such as sports and other extra-curriculars; building updates; and financial accounts. The minutes document the wide range of activities for which the club was responsible. Mothers' clubs often undertook various social, cultural, educational, or fundraising activities as part of their role. These activities could involve encouraging membership and participation from all parents in parents' clubs, channelling parents' views to the school leadership regarding school policies, planning and organising events, and raising funds for the school with prior approval from the school council. The records in this series have been retained when the Mothers’ Club functioned as the School Council, or the records made by the School Council could not be located at time of transfer to PROV and it is not known if they still exist. They provide some information about the governance of the school.