Ninety years after it was established in Whakatāne, the Ladies Lyceum Club is focused on ensuring the organisation continues to thrive for future generations.

The club recently marked its 90th anniversary with a 1930s-themed high tea attended by around 40 members and guests, celebrating a legacy of friendship and community connection that stretches back to 1936.

Club president Penny Hales said the event was a fitting tribute to the women who had helped sustain the organisation across nine decades.

“It went very well; the committee really got together. I was really thankful to the committee for their hard work.”

Many attendees embraced the theme by dressing in 1930s-inspired outfits, while historic photographs of Whakatāne and past Lyceum activities were displayed in photo albums and on a projected slideshow throughout the afternoon.

“We had some past members attend too, which was lovely,” Hales said.

Founded in London in 1903 by Constance Smedley, the Lyceum movement was created to provide women with a place to meet, learn and share ideas at a time when educational and social opportunities were limited.

The Whakatāne branch was established in 1936 and is now the oldest surviving Lyceum club in New Zealand after the closure of branches in Auckland and Te Puke, Hales said.

Today, the club continues its focus on lifelong learning and connection through a variety of activities including monthly lunches and dinners, guest speakers, book discussion groups, mahjong, and movie outings.

One of the newer initiatives is a twice-monthly board and card games evening organised by committee member Brigitte Hoskins-Goodin.

“If you belong to Lyceum, you can organise a group, like a garden group or book club group. I decided we needed a games night,” Hoskins-Goodin said .

The idea grew from her own childhood experiences.

“When I was young, my parents had lots of children and they always gave us a pack of cards and some board games. We were brought up playing games and just loved them.”

Held at 5.30pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, the sessions feature everything from Catan and Sequence, to card games, with tea and cake included.

The evenings are open to the public for $4, while Lyceum members attend free of charge.

“Through the board games night, we’ve attracted two new Lyceum Club members,” Hoskins-Goodin said.

“We’re trying to attract new members, and we’ve actually had quite a few new members join up recently.”.

For Hales, adapting to changing interests while maintaining the club’s original purpose is key to ensuring it remains relevant.

“It is a place for gathering for women, and we’re always looking for new members.”

Anyone interested in joining the Lyceum Club can email [email protected] for more information.

Anyone interested in joining the board games nights can contact Hoskins-Goodin at [email protected].