Where it all began
in Malaya/Malaysia……100 years ago
Pre-war 1909-1941
Penang had the distinction of being the first town in the then States and Straits Settlement of Peninsula Malaya, to be chosen for a YWCA. In 1909, Miss Fairburn, a British missionary, threw open the doors of her home in Dato Keramat Road to the needs of young women. She acted as President, Secretary and Treasurer. They started as a weekly Bible reading and prayer group, which grew and expanded its activities.
When Miss Fairburn left, the missionary Ladies carried on until Mrs Dewar, a Major’s wife took over. During the 1914 war, the members knitted for the soldiers. Miss Rutherford, the World’s secretary, came to the Penang Centre on her visit to Malaya.
Subsequently on the 19th January 1924, a Rest Room was opened opposite the Victoria Pier, which was under the care of Mrs Khoo Gek Tuan. The room was very popular, as all the working girls were very regular. Monthly Tiffins were held and they used to be “full house”. This building was pulled down later (former Chinese Chamber of Commerce).
In July 1927, a Hostel called “The Tower” was opened for working girls in Anson Road with Miss Anderson as the Hostel Warden. The Hostel was successful for some time but as the rent was very high and the house was in a poor condition, another house was acquired in Logan Road. However, due to lack of Finance Miss Ewart who was in charge had to close down the Hostel in 1938.
In 1938, The “Y” also ran a Creche at Patani Road for the children of Municipal Labourers. These activities and special efforts connected with the Second World War continued until December 1941.
From 1941 until 1946, all the Y records and minute books were lost, due to the war. Information about the YWCA history from 1909-1941 were gathered from the old members of the Y in 1946 by Miss Ivy Sabapathy and read out to the members at the YWCA meeting held at 5.00pm 13th September 1952.
Members present Dr Field, Mrs Dodsworth, Ms Sabapathy, Mrs Khoo Gek Tuan, Ms Fang Mrs F.R. Bhupalan, Mrs Goh Heng Chong, Mrs Violet Coomarasamy, ,
Ms E. Pereira, Ms R. Pereira, Madame Locke, Mrs L. Menon.
1941 – 1945 World War II
The YWCA Clubhouse was destroyed during the war
During the Japanese occupation from 1941-1945 the members did not meet.
Post War 1946 …..
In October 1946, a few of the pre-war committee members with the help of Ms G. Owen, a reconstructive worker, along with other co-opted members came together and formed a committee to shoulder the responsibility of reorganizing the local Y Association in Penang.
The first post War Meeting of the “Y” took place at the Anglo Chinese School, Pykett Avenue, on Thursday, 31st October 1946 at 6pm under the Chairmanship of Mrs Cheah Inn Khiong with Miss Ivy Sabapathy as Hon. Secretary and Mrs Khoo Gek Tuan as the Hon. Treasurer. Committees members included Mrs Goh Heng Chong, Mrs J. S. Appudoray, Miss Youngdhal and Miss I. Pengelly.
At the Inaugural meeting, the committee discussed the urgent need for a club house or tea room. They agreed that a place in the main post office or the ground floor of any home to be used for the time being to have thier monthly meeting.
In the early days of the post-war period, the “Y” helped in the meaningful work of the Social Welfare Department. It continued in the selling of commodities at controlled prices which was a boom for those in the disadvantaged groups.
Funds began with thanksgiving donations and subscriptions received from members. It was further improved when Ms. G. Owen brought three cases of goods to the Penang Centre to be sold. Cooking classes began from the 8th of February 1946 at the house of the president, Mrs Cheah Inn Khiong.
The Wayfarers group was formed in 1947.
From 1947 the Y committee meetings were held either at the home of the Y President, Mrs Cheah Inn Khiong, at 37 Peel Avenue or sometimes at the Anglo Chinese School Pykett Avenue. Gradually the activities of the “Y” were resumed – services for the needy, like sewing garments for the estate children and cooking classes for members and non members were held at the home of the President Mrs Cheah Inn Khiong.
L-R seated Mrs A. Samuel (joined the Y in 1909)
L-R standing Esther Barnabas (1st ), May Devasagayam (3rd),
Mrs Appuduray (7th), See Saw Heoh (8th), Ivy Sabapathy (9th)
In 1947 two teams were formed to help the welfare clinic work in schools and to visit homes and investigate Tuberculosis cases.
Ms Owen who was helping the committee made them realize that they should build an organization with the support of one another. Her words were, “Charity begins at home, hence, the committee should take the lead.” The committee agreed and they all helped by donating to a general fund, with Mrs Cheah Inn Khiong, the President leading the way.
Malay classes were started in September 1948. The same year in the month of October, the sports section was formed - Hockey, Tennis, Netball and Badminton.
In 1948, when Mrs A.V. Aston was president, she announced to the committee that Mr Aston was willing to help if anyone of them could find out if any Crown Land was available for the YWCA to apply and build a hostel. However, at the ad Hoc meeting held on 9th April 1949 at the Residency, after much deliberation it was decided that there was no immediate need for a hostel. A room was available at the Clerical Union in 27 Anson Road. A four member committee was formed to look into the possibility of turning it into a club room. The Y committee that meet at the Residency agreed to rent a room at the Clerical Union for six months at $50 a month, starting 1st July 1949. A sum of $300 was allotted from the general funds for the new club room, and this amount was to be refunded when the club began functioning.
The club room at 27 Anson Road was officially opened by the President, Mrs A.V. Aston on 6th August 1949, followed by a badminton exhibition match.
In the beginning, the club room was reliant upon the generosity of the members towards the payment of the $50 per month. Since the commencement of the ballet classes in November 1949, the club room became self supporting through the generosity of the instructor, Miss D. Rogers who paid $50 each month towards rental. The ballet classes were very popular and the number increased. A Beetle drive was organized by the club room committee, which brought in $10.
Jumble sale was started in 1949 to support the sports team so that they could go to Kuala Lumpur for the Malayan YWCA Easter Sports.
In 1950 the club room was sub let to an art instructor in the mornings for $20 a month.
The idea of a hostel cropped up again at the meeting of the committee members held on the 15th March 1951 at Anson Road. Dr Elaine Field and Mrs Pe’ discussed with Mrs Aston about a permanent hostel and club house. They decided to approach Mr Heah Joo Seang to get a loan from him free of interest. As expected, Mr Heah Joo Seang consented to lend money without interest towards the fund needed for a YWCA hostel….
minutes June 1951.
Mrs Aston reported that it was difficult to get a house within the town limits. Part of the Girl Guides building was available but would need some alterations. A sub-committee was formed to view the building.
Eventually through the kindness of the settlement Government and the help of Mrs A.V. Aston, before she left Penang, and the generosity of the late philanthropist Mr Heah Joo Seang, a new clubhouse was acquired at 15 Peel Avenue.
At the end of 1951 the committee bade goodbye to Mrs Aston when she left Penang. At the farewell, Dr Field thanked Mrs Aston for her great contribution of having secured the club house in Anson Road for the YWCA Penang.
“This is a mark to be remembered”, said Dr Field
Sewing classes were started on Tuesdays from July 1952..
The Y committee was informed of a donation of $5000 from Mr Heah Joo Seang towards the new building fund and also of his intention to pay $1050 for the expenses of training the Activity Secretary at Singapore. At this time, the first professional staff member, Miss Fang Chooi Ling was engaged as Activities Secretary and her appointment was followed by that of Mrs Violet Coomarasamy as Gen. Secretary of Penang. In February 1952, Miss Fang left for 3 months training in Singapore. Mrs Cheah Inn Khiong resigned as committee member in April 1952 due to her departure to the United Kingdom.
The committee went through various tenders and made a unanimous decision to take the lowest tender ($10,800) from contractor Chin Foo Sing of 39 Kuantan Road, Penang. The assistance given by the Clerical Union and the publicity by the Straits Echo are recorded here with much appreciation.
On Tuesday 26th May 1953, the opening of the new clubroom at 15 Peel Avenue was graciously officiated by Lady Templer, the patron of the YWCA of Malaya and Singapore.
The Thanksgiving Service during the opening of the new club room.
Lady Templer meeting YWCA members.
Lady Templer and Dr Field Presenting a basket of flowers
In 1953 when Dr Field was the President, the clubroom continued to be popular with many activities including cooking classes. A fridge and kettle were bought and regular tea was sold during the cooking classes. Ballet classes continued to be popular with six classes on Saturdays and two classes Thursdays, with a total of 152 pupils. The amount collected from the ballet classes was $760 per month, the share paid to the Y was $152 per month. Other forms of revenue of the Y were through violin recitals and food fairs.
In 1953, since Mrs Dodsworth and Miss Sabapathy were not able to attend the Malaya-Singapore YWCA Executive Committee meeting in Singapore, the committee requested Mrs Bhupalan who was in Singapore at that time to attend the meeting on their behalf. At this meeting it was suggested that the YWCA Penang pay a minimum quota of $500 excluding capitation fees to the National Fund. However, the Penang Y felt it was not able to do so and this was brought up later at the Port Dickson conference.
It was decided that when Mrs Coomarasamy returned in August 1954, she should be shared between Ipoh (10 days) and Penang the remaining days. Her salary to be $300 a month, Penang to pay $200 and Ipoh $100. Travelling expenses to and from Ipoh, $10 to be paid by Penang and $5 by Ipoh. It was also recommended to write to the National Director in Kuala Lumpur if Ms Sabapathy could be considered for the post of hostel warden for the hostel in Kuala Lumpur. While the general secretary was away, three volunteers namely, Mrs Bhupalan, Mrs Tan and Ms. E. Pereira were rostered to man the Y office.
Miss Fang, the programme secretary, was congratulated on receiving a Fellowship award to America. After she completed her contract, she left Penang at the end of April 1954 for Singapore
In 1954, by the number of members, the capitation fees paid by Penang were $225 per year, the same as the previous year. Even though there was an increase in membership, there were 30 members whose membership had been long overdue and could not be considered as members.
In March 1954 the members reported that there was a demand for a hostel by outstation students. Mrs Loh Hoot Yean reported that there was a piece of land and house for sale. This was later found to be unsuitable.
Lady Templer with YWCA committee members.
In April 1954, Mrs Goh Heng Chong reported that a piece of land was available at 20 cents per square feet but the committee decided to defer buying the land because of insufficient funds.
In May 1954 the membership subscription for that year was increased to $6 for seniors and $3 for juniors.
The Y ladies made various plans to raise funds in May 1954
Mrs Bingham wrote to Radio Malaysia for a Dollar for Discs programme. She also wrote letters of appeal before she left.
Mrs Lim Thiam Hon approached Shaw Brothers for a cinema show at the Rex Cinema in September 1954.
Mrs Bhupalan wrote to the Free Association Committee to ask them for a donation towards the building fund.
In the June 1954 committee meeting, the resignation of the Hon. Secretary Ms R. Pereira was reported. She left for Singapore. Miss D. Sibert was elected the new Hon. Recording Secretary until a YWCA secretary was available. At the same meeting, Mrs Bhupalan reported that she had contacted the legal advisor for free Asia Committee and was informed it was not advisable at that point of time to appeal for the proposed building fund because the project was still in its infancy stage. The legal advisor advised the Y to procure the land first and only when it had a definite plan of the building in hand to approach the Free Asia committee. The appeals committee decided to ask the government to donate a suitable piece of land, failing which they decided they would approach a few philanthropists businessmen for donations towards the cost of the land. A small committee with Mrs Bhupalan as convener was set up for this purpose. The Y committee members were given a police permit and a list of firms to be contacted.
The Appeal Sub-Committee met on 13th September 1954 to wind up the appeals account. A new committee, known as the Hostel Building Fund Committee was set up to draw a plan of the proposed hostel.
A tentative plan for the proposed hostel building was presented by Mrs. Goh Heng Chong, Chairman Building Fund Committee, to the General Committee for approval. The committee unanimously agreed that the plans were in keeping with the needs of the YWCA and the Hostel Committee was directed to go ahead with the YWCA plans.
With such competent help and enthusiasm of members under Mrs R.P. Bingham, Mrs Lim Khye Soo and Mrs Goh Heng Chong, the Y went onto the next major development.
