Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Princess Mary Club

— Wesley Place Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. Princess Mary Club Marker

Inscription. A stepping stone to independence

The Wesley Central Mission opened the Princess Mary Club in 1926. Designed by architect Alec Eggleston, it provided a safe haven for girls studying or working in the city. The Mission's concerns for young women reflected significant social change in the interwar period. While its role changed over time, the Princess Mary Club operated until 1988. It was a home and a stepping stone for an estimated 15,000 women over its 62-year history.

Erected by Wesley Place. (Marker Number C1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 37° 48.619′ S, 144° 58.11′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Lonsdale Street 0.1 kilometers west of Jones Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

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South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Nicholas Family (here, next to this marker); John Wesley Statue (a few steps from this marker); Wesley Church (a few steps from this marker); Balit-dahn Balit-nganjin (Their Strength, Our Strength), 2021 (within shouting distance of this marker); Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicholas Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Manse (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeology and Artefacts (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Stop C1: Princess Mary Club. Wesley Place

A stepping stone to independence

The Wesley Central Mission opened the Princess Mary Club in 1926. Designed by architect Alec Eggleston, it provided a safe haven for girls studying or working in the city. The Mission’s concerns for young women reflected significant
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. Princess Mary Club Marker, Mosaic and Church
social change in the interwar period. While its role changed over time, the Princess Mary Club operated until 1988. It was a home and a stepping stone for an estimated 15,000 young women over its 62-year history.

Sanctuary and opportunity

In addition to its rescue work, the Wesley Mission developed initiatives to provide protection and support for women who came to the city for work or education. In 1923, the Wesley Central Mission purchased land adjacent to the church and in 1926 opened a four-storey hostel. Construction was made possible by donations from the Wesley community, including the Nicholas family. The official opening was on 17 November 1926. It was named the Princess Mary Club and accommodated around 120 women at a time.

(Submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.