Temperance movement in Australia

[citation needed] In the mid-1880s the US-based Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), a more successful abstinence-oriented movement, set up a branch in Australia.

[2] The inaugural President of the federated Australasian Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was Jessie Ackermann, who visited the country in 1889, 1891 and 1894.

However, the movement failed to bring about prohibition, as happened in the United States, despite a long campaign for a local option.

[4][5] Jessie Mary Lloyd was the WCTU President in Victoria in 1930 when a poll of the state returned 43% in favour of a ban on alcohol.

[7] Today, organisations such as the Independent Order of Rechabites and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union continue to promote the cause of temperance, specifically focussing on "preventing the extension of hotel opening hours and the increase of licences" as well as promoting "public education and the health and social effects of alcohol".