DR Marilyn Mackinder is heading up the next conference of the International Association of Lyceum Clubs.
ONE of the 20th Century’s more durable women’s movements has a King Country GP among its international leaders. Dr Marilyn Mackinder is in her second term as southern hemisphere vice president for the International Association of Lyceum Clubs and is leading efforts to hold the organisations next international conference in New Zealand. In addition to her work as a doctor, Marilyn has served the organisation in many roles since joining it as a young mum in Te Kūiti more than 40 years ago. As well as being a passionate Lyceum supporter, Marilyn serves her community as medical practitioner, specialising in family medicine. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL But her former role demands much international travel. There was an international conference, in Rabat, Morocco earlier this year; meetings are coming up in Athens and Tiblilisi (capital of Georgia) and Marilyn is leading efforts to hold the association’s 2025 international conference in Tauranga. This event, taking shape with assistance from Tourism New Zealand, is not the only reason Marilyn remains on the move. She also travels widely each year, staying in touch with clubs across Australasia. The group has waxed and waned across the years but has remained solid in its emphasis on fostering the potential of women and their intellectual growth, Marilyn said. STARTED IN 1903 In 1903 an English university student named Constance Smedley started the organisation as a forum for female writers and artists of the day, to gather to enjoy fellowship and exchange ideas. According to the history of the organisation, women who had long been denied the networking opportunities men enjoyed from joining male clubs of that era, took to Lyceum clubs set up in Europe in the early 20th Century like fish to water. It was still the time of women’s suffrage in many countries, when socialistic and reform movements were on the rise and feminism fought for equal rights for men and women. Lyceum clubs sourced the top speakers of the day, set up discussion groups and got women together to share ideas, hopes and dreams. “And for nearly 120 years the International Association of Lyceum Clubs has empowered women in many countries to develop networks and foster intellectual stimulation,” Marilyn said. She went to Morocco for the congress in May, where she successfully proposed that the next congress be held in Tauranga in 2025. It was expected that 19 countries and 250 to 300 women would attend. OPPORTUNITY “There will be quite a few of our local ladies that will go to it because it is their one opportunity to go to an international congress without travelling out of New Zealand. And we should get a good contingent from Australia because there are five clubs there.” Marilyn said Tourism NZ had approached her two years ago regarding the possibility of holding a conference in New Zealand. “Their people had obviously been researching organisations coming to NZ in the next five years to help the recovery following Covid. And when they first approached us, we sort of said, ‘hang on, no we don’t think we can do that’. “But then we got together as a group and decided that if we took it step-by-step we probably could do it. And so we went back to TNZ to put it together.” Marilyn said it had been interesting how clubs had appeared and disappeared in past years. Although the movement had begun in London it had no presence there now, but clubs in France, which were now strong, and determined to re-establish the movement in England. The Auckland club had since gone into recess, but at its peak, it planted other groups around the country, including one at Te Kūiti in 1944. MUCH NEEDED OUTLET This provided a much-needed social outlet for farmers’ wives to gather on Friday afternoons. “They might have been doing the books for a million dollars business, while simultaneously – due to isolation – being short of stimulating social outlets.” Marilyn joined after moving to town and marrying a local farmer. In her time the club had run a monthly meeting with a speaker, plus discussion circle, a music circle and choir, bridge and mahjong, garden and craft groups. The club owned its own premises, at 4 Hinerangi St. “In its early days in Te Kūiti there were so many young mums in the group and one woman would supervise up to 15 children while their mothers took part.” The only requirement to join was the woman be of good standing in the community. “At various times in our history at Te Kūiti we’ve had members who have organised trips to shows and exhibitions held in the cities. “It’s stimulating for the mind to meet with like-minded women. Although we might just be playing mahjong, we’re simultaneously discussing all the issues of the world – mostly those in NZ at the moment. You can speak freely and it’s a great way to enhance your circle of friends.”
