The Y Canberra had the good fortune to be born in 1941, during an era of gradually changing social attitudes and when Canberra was a young city in the early stages of developing its own particular style and personality. At the time, Canberra’s population was barely over 10,000 and our capital more closely resembled a semi-rural town than the vibrant city we know it as today. So quite literally, Canberra and the Y have grown side-by-side since then.

The Y’s initial programs in Canberra were designed to introduce much-needed recreation and physical activities into the lives of the predominantly young male workforce who had relocated here to construct the new city. As the city became more diverse the Y adopted its programs while maintaining its commitment to ‘building strong people, strong families and strong communities’.

The Y touched many hearts and made an impact on thousands of lives in Canberra… (it) has had an enormous influence on the development of Canberra’s social fabric and its community and welfare services.
– HARRY BLACK, Developer of Y activities in the 1940s and 50s and party of the Y community for over 60 years.

The above information is summarised from Helen Tracey’s book The Y Generation – the YMCA in Canberra 1941-2011.