News & Events
02/09 - Art History resumes
06/09 - Bridge Club resumes
10/09 - Litte Venice Ramble
13/09 - Clarence House Visit
14/09 - Nigel Steele C/Morning
The Australian Women's Club invites all Australian women, and those with a close association to Australia, to join us in a friendly, informal atmosphere.
Whether a long-term resident or newly arrived in the United Kingdom, the AWC offers many opportunities to meet new people, to explore London and the surrounding countryside and to learn more about living in England.
Club membership opens the door to numerous social activities, including a range of special functions to honour our traditional days of celebration, such as the Melbourne Cup and Australia Day. Every October, the AWC hosts the annual International Coffee Morning where women from various backgrounds and countries gather in the Downer Room at Australia House. Additional informal coffee mornings, often with guest speakers, are held monthly in central London.
The AWC's newsletter, distributed monthly to all members, lists a variety of activities catering for special interests. As representatives of Australian women in the UK, the AWC is a member of FIWAL, the Federation of International Women's Associations in London.
Join the AWC for
Around London Activities
Click here to Join
Interest Groups
Around London
You can participate in a range of activities covering antiquities, historical venues and interesting walks to discover the elusive secrets of London and its surrounds. Members find visiting museums, art galleries and places of government, frequently with a guide, is far
more enjoyable when accompanied by others.
Art History
Join us with our regular Art Historian to learn about and enjoy the art, architecture, design and social history of London. We meet at various locations and usually end with lunch and a chat.
Semesters comprise 10 sessions, held fortnightly on Thursdays between 10.30 am and noon. Groups are kept to a maximum of 15. Members pay
for the semester in full before the first session and can sell off any sessions they are unable to attend.
Book Club
Enjoy a glass of wine and participate in a lively discussion of our Book
of the Month. Held in AWC members' homes, this is an ideal way to get
to know people better while exercising the grey matter. Past novels for Book Club include, Alone in Berlin, by Hans Fallada and Olivia Lichenstein's, Things Your Mother Never Told You. We would be pleased to take on your suggestion.
Bridge
You can join a group of experienced players, who meet weekly. Alternatively, if you are a novice, a beginner's class starts each September. If you feel inclined, why not play with other women's clubs or support Australia at International Bridge Day?
Film Group
Watch carefully selected films, from the latest blockbusters to art house cinema, in the company of other film buffs. Timing varies between matinees and evenings depending on members' interests. Afterwards, round off the day with a light-hearted critique over afternoon tea or dinner.
Rambling
Come along and stretch your legs while enjoying the beautiful English countryside. Rambles are a great way to keep fit and chat with others as you wander along canal towpaths, beside rivers, up hills and down dales.
In the winter months we stay closer to home and walk the Regent's Canal towpath or hike through Hyde Park to Primrose Hill. When the weather warms up, it is time to explore areas like the Chilterns, the Hertfordshire woods and the South Downs, always stopping along the way for lunch in
a country pub.
Stitching
From creating a family heirloom to simply sewing on a button, why not
join our monthly morning get-togethers in a member's home. When the opportunity arises, attend the lectures and exhibitions London has to offer.
Home Comforts
London is an exciting and vibrant place to live, but there are times when a little bit of Australia is just what you need.
Thanks to Canberra Tourist Office and Tourism Australia for the supply of Australian images on this site.
http://australia.com
Advance Global Australians
Global Networks
http://www.advance.org/
Advance is a dynamic and diverse global community of Australian professionals overseas committed to advancing Australia and Australians.
Australian Times
http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/
For, by and about Australians in the UK, Australian Times is written and compiled by journalists living amongst the Australian community here in the UK. As well as the website and enewsletter, the free Australian Times newspaper has a weekly readership of 50,000plus.
Brit Oz
Britain Australia Society
http://www.britain-australia.org.uk/
The Britain-Australia Society is a social networking society in the UK promoting and encouraging positive relationships between Britain and Australia.
The following restaurants are listed for their Australian connections. These are just the ones we know about and there may be many more in London:
Smiths of Smithfield E&O
Pied-a-terre, Charlotte Street Mandalay
L'Autre Pied, Marylebone XO XO
Petersham Nurseries Cicada
The Ledbury, Nottinghill Nahm _ the Halkin Hotel
Harwood Arms Gastro Pub Giaconda, Denmark Street
Great Eastern Dining Rooms Eight Over Eight
Disclaimer:
Links on this site are for information purposes only and are not a recommendation of any product.
Missing home? For all your favourite goodies, why not pay a visit to Australia Shop, conveniently situated in Covent Garden:
27 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7JS
Email: shop_australiashop.co.uk
website: www.australiashop.co.uk
Tele: (020) 7379 0723
Relocating to the UK - Tips from AWC members
AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
For lost passports, there's a very quick service at Australia House:
Australian High Commission, Strand, London WC2B 4LA.
(corner Aldwych and Strand. Nearest Tube: Temple)
Tel: 020 7379 4334; Fax: 020 7240 5333
www.uk.embassy.gov.au
The Australian High Commission website has information about ANZAC Day services in London and other events in the UK, with a list of performances, exhibitions and events involving Australians.
Details on applying for tickets to Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot Race Meetings and Royal Garden Parties are also available from the website.
To vote in Australian elections, go to your home state office or the High Commission.
BANKING
Opens 9am, closes 5pm.
To open an account, banks need at least two forms of ID, so it's important to have a few utilities in your name. Make sure when joining the bank to ask lots of questions regarding transferring money into your different accounts. Some banks take up to four days.
DRIVER'S LICENCE
Check with the post office and organise a UK licence before 12 months, otherwise you'll have to re-sit test.
HOUSEHOLD HINTS
John Lewis Department Store has a big selection of products for setting up your house, especially kitchen and bathroom areas.
Limescale, notorious in London, is the build up of alkaline residue from the city's water supply. It needs to be removed to keep bathrooms and kitchens looking clean and to ensure appliances function properly. Combat limescale as follows:
•Salt for dishwasher
•Water softener (limescale preventer) for washing machine
•Limescale descaler for the kettle, iron and shower head
•Window scraper to remove water from shower door to prevent scaly build up
•Cleaning product with bleach for white kitchen sink
A good quality shopping trolley is well worth buying during your first week. Walking home with lots of shopping bags is not good for your back, arms and neck. Your husband might think you've lost the plot but it will make life much easier.
LONDON TOURIST BUREAU
Lower Regent Street (Piccadilly Tube Station)
MINI CABS
Some Londoners use mini cabs especially if living outside inner London. Ask fellow AWC members or enquire in your area for reliable cab companies. Women worried about safety late at night can contact Ladycabs 020 7272 3019 which specialise in women drivers. If you have teenagers out clubbing, make sure they only use registered drivers, especially in the early hours of the morning, and they should always travel with a friend.
NHS
You need to be registered with the NHS and will receive an NHS number.
To register, look up your local surgery on the net or ask your local chemist.
Info: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Overseas info: www.gov.uk/travellers
You can also choose to go privately to a doctor or dentist. This is not as easy as it sounds so if you decide to do this, ask around with friends or make enquiries through the AWC.
PARKING
www.alg.gov.uk
www.ncp.co.uk
Never park illegally or even pull over in no-stopping zones if you don't want to receive a huge fine through the mail or have your car clamped. Each council in London has different parking rules, so educate yourself about these as ignorance will not be accepted as a reason for non-payment of a fine. And don't forget, there are cameras everywhere. You can phone in and pay by credit card for a parking space in London.
PROPERTY RENTAL
Make out your list of requirements. Consider what is important to you such as light, outside space, proximity to schools, no pubs nearby, any noise problems, nearest tube/bus, parking. Once you've chosen an agent, be firm about what you're looking for. To avoid being taken on a wild goose chase, it's best to give them written details of your requirements. Compile a wish list. Say what is negotiable, what is not to be compromised and what is a 'must have'. While inspecting a property, check the plumbing, especially showers and toilets. We have been very spoilt in Oz with things that work.
Make sure you get an inventory done. It can cost a couple of hundred pounds depending on the size of the premises, but it is absolutely essential. The good inventory companies will go into an amazing amount of detail and ensure photos are taken of any potential problems. Beware! It's sometimes very hard to get back the bond. Take lots of your own photos and keep records to support your case should an agent be slow in refunding your bond.
Make a 'house book' to record any problems. Log all phone calls including date and job required. For every 'handyman' visit, note down the name of contractor/time/problem, for future records. Experience has shown that on one job you can have four different tradesmen who don't know what the other person is doing.
It makes life much easier if you can put a few utilities in your name, especially when you need to open bank accounts straight away. A gas or electricity bill is often required as proof of address.
Council Tax is either included in your rent or will be sent to you directly. This can be rather a large amount, depending on which borough you are living in. Check with the agent to see if you're responsible for payment.
SCHOOLS
Each London borough is also a Local Education Authority (LEA) which provides info about its state schools. www.dfes.gov.uk/leagateway - click LEA Addresses.
Other web sites or books:
The London Schools Guide (Mitchell Beazley)
www.gabbitas.co.uk
www.schoolsnet.com
For pre-schools (two to five years), try The British Association for Early Childhood Education 020 7539 5400 or www.earlyeducation.org or The Pre-School Learning Alliance 020 7697 2500, www.pre-school.org.uk
SHOPPING
Buy Time Out Magazine at newsagents or bookstores. Time Out has a book on London shopping which is useful for finding your local specialist shops.
Some supermarkets deliver. Check your local shop. Orcado (Waitrose) is an online supermarket, Tesco deliver via internet orders.
Sunday: Some High Street stores (main shopping drag) open at 11.30, but one cannot purchase until noon.
The summer and winter sales are fabulous. It's always advisable when you shop at the big department stores, like Selfridges/Harrods, to get there at opening times because once the crowds start arriving from outside London, things become all too crowded.
Shops: clothing
Selfridges, John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser - Oxford Street
Fenwick, Max Mara - Old Bond Street
Liberty - Regent Street
Zara and Gap are very popular and are in most High Streets.
Most shops have a 14 - 28 day return policy and are very accommodating about taking items back, if you have a receipt.
Shops: furniture, electrical, etc.
John Lewis, Peter Jones in Sloane Square (same shop as John Lewis just different name) Selfridges, Ikea
Book Shops
Waterstones (Main store in Piccadilly has a good restaurant on the 5th floor, especially for lunch.)
Serious book lovers - Daunts, Hatchards, Foyles, John Sandoe (off Kings Rd), London Review Bookshop, Bloomsbury
TIPPING
Tipping is not often required in the UK. Many food outlets include a service charge of about 12.5% on the bill. VAT is also included.
TRANSPORT
An Oyster card is essential to simplify tube and bus rides. It also makes using public transport cheaper. Apply at the local tube station or online at (www.tfl.gov.uk/oyster). Cards can be topped up via the internet, at stations or at many local corner stores. It can also be topped up automatically on your credit card. Arrange to register the card so if it's stolen, it can be cancelled and any remaining credit transferred to a new card. This is a very efficient service.
Night buses run till very late because the tube stops at 12.30am. When boarding a bus or entering an underground station, you can see the amount left in your Oyster account on the machine (but you have to be quick if you're to spot it).
National Rail booking/enquiries can be done online and by phone: 08457484950. If going out of London after 9.30am, it's cheaper. If you have a group of four travelling both ways together, it's half price.
www.thetrainline.com is a useful website for finding out what train runs where and the price of tickets. www.seat61.com is a great website for finding trains and ferries from the UK to Europe and beyond. Eurostar bookings can be made at www.eurostar.com, for trains leaving London's St Pancras Station to Europe.
You can purchase a 12 month Family & Friends Railcard and a 12 month Under 25s Railcard for discount advance tickets from major stations like Kings Cross.
RYANAIR/EASYJET Book holiday flights online. For villa/apartment/gite summer rentals, book well in advance. Many Londoners start organising their summer holidays in February.
Buses: one can obtain a Central London Bus Guide from certain Tube stations, usually ones in the tourist area, or online www.tfl.gov.uk or www.easybus.com
TRAVELLING FROM THE UK
The UK Home Office is using the IRIS programme for passport control. Many regular travellers find this fast-track system invaluable. Remember to register at the airport before you leave the UK. IRIS at Heathrow is just past the last customs check in, to your right. It only takes 5 minutes to register but is well worth it, especially on those 5.30am arrivals.
The Heathrow Express is quick and efficient. The first train leaves 5.10am from Paddington. It costs less if booked online (www.heathrowexpress.com) but tickets may be bought at the station or on the train. Both Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express offer discounts so register to receive these by email.
There are some very good private car hire companies that pick up from Heathrow or collect you from your home at any time, even 5.30am. They are very reasonable and it's always a set rate.
TV LICENCE
Every household has to be registered for a TV licence, paid annually. However, more than one TV is covered. www.tvlicence.com.uk
These tips are reviewed regularly so if you have any advice you feel could be included, please feel free to pass it on to a Committee Member via email or at an AWC event.
Links
The Australian Women's Club raises funds for CCLEF, the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund.
Their mission is to raise money to help girls in over 25 Commonwealth countries build a better future through education.
www.ccl-int.org
The Federation of International Women's Associations in London (FIWAL) is an umbrella organisation comprising 29 international women's associations and clubs based in London. Its role is to provide a forum for the exchange of information, ideas and expertise between its member organisations.
www.fiwal.org.uk
Australian High Commission
British Home office (UK Border Agency immigration, citizenship, employment, travel) www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (health, rights, employment, services)
www.adviceguide.org.uk
UK Public Services, including drivers licences,employment,health
www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
Transport for London (tube and bus information)
www.tfl.gov.uk
Walking around London
www.walklondon.org.uk
Theatre Guide
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
BritishMuseum
www.britishmuseum.org
National Portrait Gallery
www.npg.org.uk/home.php
National Gallery
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Living in London
www.londonnet.co.uk
City Lit - Centre for Adult Learning
www.citylit.ac.uk
British Pub Guide
www.britishpubguide.com
Dining throughout the UK
http://trustedplaces.com
Eating in London
www.london-eating.co.uk
Top Table
www.toptable.com
UK travel guide
www.bugbog.com/english speaking_countries/united_kingdom/travel_uk.html
Traffic England (live traffic information)
www.trafficengland.com/index.aspx
Eurostar
www.eurostar.com
Qantas
www.qantas.com.au/uk
Landmark Trust (accommodation)
www.landmarktrust.org.uk
World weather
www.wunderground.com/global/stations
This group helps expat spouses network and find employment in the UK.
www.global-networker.com
UK weather (MetOffice)
www.metoffice.gov.uk
World Telephone Codes
www.countrycallingcodes.com
Department of Health (primary care, hospitals, insurance)
www.dh.gov.uk
Register of Health professionals
www.hpc-uk.org
Royal Mail (post codes, mail delivery)
www.royalmail.com
Conversion calculator
www.metric-conversions.org
Currency converter
www.xe.com
TV Guide
www.tvguide.co.uk
About us
The Australian Women's Club started in 1985. Pam Douglas, wife of the then Agent General for Western Australia, became aware of the many isolated and homesick Australian women in London who lacked the companionship and stimulation needed to make the most of their time in Britain.
A small committee was formed of like-minded women who had also travelled the world and understood what it was like to be alone in a strange place and missing home.
From those beginnings, the AWC has expanded into a thriving organisation. Some members have made their lives in the UK. Others are here on fixed-term contracts and will return home in a few years. Some members live in central London, others in the capital's suburbs and surrounding counties. Regardless, a warm welcome awaits, along with the opportunity to enjoy lively company and to form strong bonds with others in the same situation.
The Western Australian connection continues today through the invaluable support of our patron, Kerry Sanderson AO, the Agent General for Western Australia in the UK and Europe.
"I would encourage all Australian women in the UK to join the AWC and take the opportunity to enjoy the varied range of outings and meetings. A number of members have said how much more settled they have felt because of this opportunity to meet and interact with women of a similar background. I have also enjoyed my role as patron because it has given me an opportunity to meet a number of wonderful women who have come from Australia or who have connections with Australia." Kerry Sanderson AO
Membership
Welcome to the Australian Women's Club membership page. Through joining the AWC, you will enjoy many benefits and become part of an active and supportive community.
Who Can Join
•All Australian women
•The spouse, partner or daughter of an Australian
•Women with a close affiliation to Australia
How to Join
A Membership Form can be downloaded from this page or is available from the Membership Secretary.
Post the completed form with the fee to the Membership Secretary or bring the completed form with the fee to an AWC event.
Please click here to download a copy of our Membership Form:
Download as Word
Download as PDF
Our membership year is 1 July to 30 June.
Annual subscriptions are £25 and are due and payable in July each year.
New applications received in the last half of the financial year (ie from January to June) need only pay half of the annual subscription.
As a financial member, you will receive our monthly newsletter and will be invited to the many activities and events held during the year. You will have the opportunity to serve on the committee and to be involved in the planning of events.
For membership enquiries contact:
Sue Williams
Membership Secretary
020 8542 1903
Contact us
If you would like further information, please email or contact any of the members below:
Jill Berry
President
020 8440 6420
president_awclondon.org.uk
Kerry Foster
Vice President
020 75810615
vicepresident_awclondon.org.uk
membership_awclondon.org.uk
Coffee Mornings are held at:
Western Australian Business Centre
Australia Centre
Melbourne Place
The Strand
London WC2B 4LG
Closest tubes: Temple (5 mins) Holborn and Covent Garden (10 mins)
Copyright 2010 Australian Women's Club, London
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