Felicia HOPKINS

HOPKINS, FELICIA (née SMITH), (b. Bocking, Essex, England, 4 Jan 1841; d. Rockhampton, Qld, 15 July 1933). Founder of YWCA in Qld; lifetime member Society of Friends (Quakers).

Daughter of Lister Smith, an employee of Courtalds, Felicia was educated at a Quaker boarding school in Croydon, Surrey. On leaving school she worked as a governess, then migrated to Qld in 1862. The concluding lines from a long poem written during her voyage on the sailing ship Wansfell reveal the Quaker emphasis on faith and works:

Now may we all with grateful mind,

Our gallant vessel leave behind,

And ne'er torget, where'er we go,

The source whence all our blessings flow;

Thus should we live, a noble band

And, guided by the heavenly ray

In works of love our faith display -

Till her poor sons the lesson learn

And life to higher purpose turn....

Felicia Smith married fellow Quaker, Francis Hopkins, in Brisbane on 18 Dec 1865. They made their home in Rockhampton and there began a lifetime of service to the spiritual, educational and physical needs of the underprivileged. He served in the local Benevolent Society, YMCA, BFBS; organised a Penny Savings Bank (1899), a Temperance Crusade Hall (1867); and is credited with inducing the Commonwealth government to soften its total repatriation of 'Kanakas' to permit some to remain in Qld. When her husband joined the Department of Public Instruction, Felicia taught 'girls' crafts' and other subjects. In 1874 Francis Hopkins established a bookshop and after his death in 1913 Felicia managed it until retirement at the age of 83 in 1924.

In the early years the Society of Friends met in Hopkins' home, but with financial help from Britain in 1880 built a Meeting House. They were linked to the London Yearly Meeting until 1900 then became a Preparative Meeting of Sydney. In 1913 a Qld organisation, the Six Months Meeting, was set up with its initial meeting in Rockhampton.

As Quakers the Hopkins' faith was not of the closet variety. Active members of the Rockhampton Benevolent Society (founded 1866), they became aware of the plight of orphaned children whom they cared for in their own home along with their young family. Felicia was instrumental in obtaining a grant from the Queensland government to found an orphanage in 1871 under the auspices of the Benevolent Society.

At the request of an English friend, Felicia Hopkins founded the YWCA in Rockhampton in 1886—the first branch in Qld. She readily responded to its concern for the spiritual, moral, social and physical welfare of young women. The Rockhampton YWCA is the only branch in Qld with continuous service to the present day. Early branches in Brisbane and Townsville soon closed, but later were re-established by Mrs Hopkins. She also formed branches in central-western towns as well as serving as Rockhampton secretary, 1888-1911. By the early 1900s a hostel provided a home for single girls in an atmosphere of Christian fellowship.

In 1867 Felicia began her lifetime work for temperance through the Band of Hope. In her later years she personally crusaded outside hotels during the 6 o'clock closing era. She had a habit of closing her eyes while talking and on one occasion, while lecturing a drunken man or the effects of this on his wife and family, her 'victim' quietly slipped away.

As a pioneer in Christian work among women and children in Qld she has earned a place in history. When the University of Centra. Queensland (formerly Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education established a Women's College, it was named Felicia Hopkins House.

Felicia Hopkins, 'Early Temperance Work in Rockhampton', Morning Bulletin, nd, c1910; Hopkin: family information supplied to Lorna McDonald; Lorna McDonald, Rockhampton A History of City and District (Brisbane, 1981); Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton); news cuttings, nd, 1916; 13 April 1926; nd Oct 1931; 11 July 1933; 1 Aug 1968

LORNA MCDONALD