| Brief Description |
This black and white photograph shows members of the Wanganui Swankers' Club dressed in full Swanker's regalia in a large car adorned with greenery, flags and banners at one of their regular fund-raising events. A man in "blackface" and boater hat is also seated in the car. This dates to World War I when the Swankers focused on supporting the Red Cross nurses.
The Swankers' Club was formed in Wanganui in 1915 for the purpose of raising funds for Red Cross nurses and hospitals during World War I. It ran until 1929. Swankers, as members were called, had a light-hearted approach to a serious purpose.
After the war, they were very active during the Influenza epidemic of 1918-19. Members continued to raise money to establish and maintain the Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Society and support a range of charities. Like the Savage Clubs, Swankers held concerts, Mardi Gras and gala days and were very successful. In June 1925, for example, the Swankers' Club assisted the annual YMCA street appeal, raising £121 2s 6d, which was equally divided between the Swankers' Club and the YMCA.
The word swanker means a dashing, smartly-dressed or stylish man. Swankers wore a distinctive, stylish garb of top hat and tails, usually teamed with formal striped trousers and spats.
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