The Country Women's Association of Western Australia (CWA of WA) is a woman's club in Western Australia. The first meeting was held in Perth in early 1924, and their first four branches were established the same year.[1] Mabel Craven-Griffith was elected the first president at their first conference in 1925.[2] It was part of the Country Women's Association (CWA).[3]
 | |
| Formation | 1924 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Perth, Western Australia |
| Type | Women's club |
| Website | www |
The Association's purpose was "to improve the welfare and conditions of life of people everywhere, especially those living in the country, to foster friendship and understanding and to encourage co-operation and community effort".[4] Their first priority was to establish rest rooms; located in the CWA of WA branches, these spaces provided a place for rural women and their children to rest and eat when they were in the town.[2]
In 1934 the CWA of WA began publishing their newsletter The Countrywoman of Western Australia, which became a monthly publication in 1940.[1]
Of note was the CWA of WA's participation in the war effort during World War II, establishing a war relief fund and participating in the Australian Women's Land Army.[2]
Membership reached its peak in the mid 1950s with 12,000 members in about 250 branches.[1]
In 2001 the CWA of WA left the national Country Women's Association, but remains active.[3]
Historic sites
editSeveral heritage register listings recognize Association-related sites in Western Australia, including:[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Country Women's Association of Western Australia. (1924-)". Trove. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "The Country Women's Association of Western Australia (Inc)". The Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ a b "History of the CWA". Country Women's Association of Western Australia. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "The CWA Story" (PDF). Country Women's Association of Western Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ Inherit system search screen
- ^ "InHerit - State Heritage Office".
- ^ Peterson, Belinda; Rumans, Bernice; Bunbury Women's Club (1999), A condensed history of the Bunbury Women's Club, 1954-1999, The Club, retrieved 1 January 2019
- ^ Thornbury, Ernie; Bignell, Merle, 1927-; Church, George, 1918-; Kojonup Women's Club (2006), Stroll down the main street : with Ernie Thornbury, Merle Bignell and George Church, Kojonup Women's Club, retrieved 1 January 2019
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