AS A wave of 1950s music filters through Warwick Golf Club, a group of women - dressed in lavish red and purple clothes - instinctively rise to their feet to dance.

Swaying to the music, each one with a smile as big as the next, the women clearly revel in these unique meetings.

Yesterday, more than 50 Red Hat Society members from around south-east Queensland met for their bi-monthly meeting, where the dress code is the only rule.

In her address to the visiting club members, 'Queen Mother' Florence Slattery - who founded the club in Australia - reflected on how the club was set up in Australia.

"(The society) originated from a poem called 'Warning' written by Jenny Joseph, where she relates just how eccentric she plans to be in her old age," she said.

"It was started in America in 1998. When I spent a few days with a friend from America in 1999, she told me about it and suggested I start it."

From there, Mrs Slattery invited friends around for a morning tea, instructed them to wear red hats and purple clothing and asked them to bring another friend to the following meeting, and the club was born.

Now, the members regularly go out for mystery tours' and change their meetings to a different venue each time.

"It's slightly unconventional but I just love it - it's fun company," said Fay Wickham.

"You can come and get dressed up in your bling - we're the Red Hat Ladies having fun," said secretary Sonia Aspinall.

Red hat society

• Founded in America, April 1998
• A social club for women aged over 50 years, who meet wearing red and purple.
• Thought to be bought over to Australia in 2000 by Warwick's Florence Slattery.
• More than 70 members in Warwick.