Lyceum Club’s 107th Anniversary Luncheon and Lyceum Lecture

Lyceum Club Brisbane President, Ms Barbara Roebuck; Treasurer, Ms Fay Kairn and Secretary, Mrs Margaret Donges; Dr Susan Spence AO; Members; distinguished guests, ladies. 

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon. 

Thank you for that warm welcome. I am delighted to once again join you for the club’s annual anniversary luncheon and lecture – which this year marks your 107th milestone. 

As I am approaching the end of my Vice-Regal term, this will be the last formal opportunity to address the club as your proud Patron of this remarkable organisation which has enriched the cultural, intellectual and social life of our city for more than a century. 

While Brisbane’s Lyceum Club has evolved since its establishment in 1919, it has remained true to its mission to bring together women from diverse professional backgrounds and life experiences into a welcoming environment where informed conversations about contemporary issues can flow freely; where interests can be pursued with like-minded women and – importantly – where friendships can flourish. 

Given her distinguished health background, in many ways it seems fitting to have Dr Susan Spence to present this year’s lecture.  

Some members may be aware that Australia’s first Lyceum Club was established in Melbourne in 1912 by two formidable women with highly accomplished medical careers. 

Ethel Osborne, a British-born Australian doctor and expert in the fields of hygiene and public health, along with Janet Greig, a Scottish-born Australian anesthetist, were motived to form Australia’s first club having returned from London inspired by Constance Smedley who founded the world’s first Lyceum Club there in 1903. The London Club at the time had been once described by some as a “gentlemen’s club for women”! 

How times have changed. Today there are some 70 Lyceum Clubs in 17 countries, all of which are excellent examples of what can be achieved when we create and maintain environments that embrace lifelong learning with purpose and foster supportive and meaningful social connections. 

The Brisbane Lyceum Club itself has continued to thrive thanks to the enduring commitment of generations of its members – past and present – whose dedication has made this 107th anniversary possible. 

In an age when our lives can often become busier and more fragmented, organisations such as yours remind us of the importance of genuine human connection. The Club provides opportunities for members to listen, learn, share experiences and deepen our understanding of the world around us. 

Like you, I am looking forward to hearing Dr Spence’s presentation and deepening my understanding of the impact of the digital age on our youth.  The online world has become increasingly complex, with some people spending perhaps too much time curating their social media feeds, dealing with AI deep fakes, or getting lost down the deep rabbit holes of online gaming or doom scrolling. 

I commend the Club and Dr Spence for providing us with an overview of these important contemporary issues impacting our youth. 

As your Patron, please know that the Club will always hold a special place in my heart. The genuine friendships fostered here and the camaraderie and goodwill among your members allows for real connections to be made and sustained, providing a great antidote to the often-impersonal online world. 

The continued success of this Club has taken the efforts of many, and I thank all those involved for their commitment and dedication, including the President and Committee members, both past and present. I would also like to offer my congratulations and thanks to Marion Jones for her 25 years of dedicated and impactful service to the club. 

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I congratulate the Lyceum Club of Brisbane on its 107th anniversary and thank you for your longstanding contribution to our State's cultural and civic life. May the Club continue to inspire, connect and enrich our community for many more generations to come.