Annie Syrett GREEN

GREEN, ANNIE SYRETT (b. Brunswick, Vic, 2 Dec 1858; d. Adelaide, SA, 14 April 1936). Adelaide City Mission Superintendent.

Born the fifth daughter of a London butcher who had emigrated during the Victorian gold rush, her formative years, which included basic Presbyterian schooling, were spent at home. She became a convinced and active Christian through the influence of friends at the Baptist church.

In 1877 Annie moved with her family to Adelaide where she started working as a volunteer with the Adelaide City Mission (ACM) while remaining a member of Stepney Christian Church. The Mission employed Annie as their female missionary in 1881, her 'qualifications' being a good speaking voice, musical ability and a willingness to assist the poor. She helped organise free Sunday breakfasts for the unemployed, English classes for the Chinese settlers, a Flower Mission to the Adelaide Hospital and the Midnight Rescue Association for young girls in prostitution.

Annie resigned from the Mission in 1888, becoming secretary of the YWCA for two years. Then with Ruth Nesbit, a like-minded friend, she undertook itinerant evangelism, first with the Bible Christians and then with the Methodists. During this time she developed an effective, evangelistic preaching style.

In 1897 ACM appointed her to superintend a branch mission at North Adelaide. Annie worked there for 25 years, concentrating on evangelistic meetings and social welfare programs for working-class people. Her outstanding and attractive leadership and an ability to enthuse volunteers drew crowds, particularly to the children's clubs. In addition to counselling and visiting, she served as a JP in the area and ran time-payment schemes. Annie Green was appointed General Superintendent of ACM in 1923, the first woman in Protestant Australia to hold such a position. She guided the Mission through the depression of the ] 930s and was an adviser to the premier.

E L Green, Evergreen Annie (Adelaide, 1988)

ESTHER GREEN