Soroptimist International Brisbane City (SIBC) was chartered 25 November 1994 with 24 members.

Our organisation has an interesting history which involved an American, Stuart Morrow who was responsible for chartering many men’s clubs in the early 1920’s.  He actually owned the corporation which chartered Soroptimist International (SI) and in 1927, the members of SI purchased the rights in the Corporation and the Soroptimist name from him.

What was the price for our freedom?  He asked for $6,000US but reduced the price to $5,500US if the monies were provided within 30 days. What inspirational visions these women had for the future – to make such an investment so early in the formation of this organisation – how proud they would be today to have witnessed the expansion globally – especially in the eastern block, african and south american counties.

With over 90,000 members in 126 countries we represent a Global Voice for Women. Like most volunteer organisations we have had our own challenges with declining membership but what hasn’t declined is the level of advocacy, activities and monies raised to implement programmes which assist both the local and global communities – in fact these areas have strengthened particularly our partnership projects with other Non-Government Organisation’s (NGO's).

What makes SI a little unique from other women’s service organisations is our Programme Focus, Position Statements and Consultative Status with many United Nations Agencies.  Geneva Douglas, International Programme Liaison in 1988, described Programme as “a very ordinary name for an extraordinary aspect of the Soroptimist experience.”

“The Soroptimist Programme is at once an agenda, a public notice and the basic framework for a plan through which we work to achieve our objectives. It gives us identity as an organisation with a broad scope of concern, competency and contribution.  As we work with Programmes, we enrich our lives and the lives of others.”

SI Brisbane City has supported survivors of family abuse, victims of domestic violence, rape, abuse, poverty, drug abuse and trafficking.

SI Brisbane City Club Logo 

Our Club logo represents the City of Brisbane with the Story Bridge in the front which is one of the most recognisable icons of Brisbane and was designed by Dr J.J. Bradfield who also designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Bridge was named after John Douglas Story who was a high-ranked public servant at the time. The sun rises behind the buildings symbolising that we are a breakfast club.