Country Womens Association CWA
The Katanning branch of the CWA was formed in 1930 and held its inaugural meeting on 19 May, 1930 at the Katanning Anglican Hall.
The troubled early years of the 20th Century inspired an explosion in the demand for women’s rights world-wide. Following Canada’s lead in enabling the empowerment of rural women, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) was initiated in Australia in 1922, with New South Wales and Queensland – followed by Western Australia (1924), Victoria (1928), South Australia (1929), Northern Territory (1933), and Tasmania (1936).
The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) was formed in 1933, and encompasses CWA in Australia. (ACWW now has 420 member societies in 73 countries, giving voice to over 9 million rural and non-rural women).
The formation of a national body was agreed in 1945 by all CWA State Presidents. The First Annual Conference of the Country Women’s Association of Australia was held in Adelaide in 1946, with Australian delegates being sent to the ACWW Conference in Amsterdam the following year.
These women were quick to realise strength lay in unity, and CWA quickly became a large, resourceful, influential women’s organisation. The members worked tirelessly to set up baby health care centres, fund bush nurses, build and staff maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes, seaside holiday cottages – and much more.
Women of all ages were involved, with the younger ladies forming a strong “Younger Sets” movement, which lasted for many years. Continue reading
COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
INAUGURAL MEETING AT KATANNING.
LOCAL BRANCH FORMED.
Great Southern Herald
21 May, 1930
On Thursday afternoon last some twenty ladies from various parts of the town and district assembled in the Parish Hall to listen to an address by the State President, Mrs. B. M. Fisher, who is conducting an organising campaign on behalf of the Country Women’s Association.
Mr. W. J. Rogers explained the object of the meeting and introduced Mrs. Fisher, who gave an interesting address on the aims and objects of the Association, which she claimed, had secured a hold all over the Commonwealth and was now making rapid strides in Western Australia.
Mrs. Fisher expressed her gratitude to Mrs. G. E. H. House for convening the meeting and thanked her on behalf of the Association. Belonging to such a young and large State as Western Australia, with its huge outback areas, the country women of this portion of the Commonwealth were held in very high esteem by the leaders of the movement. Many of them lived in isolated regions and underwent trials and privations. Unknowingly, they were playing an important part in the building of the Empire.
The speaker, as organiser, was not present to coerce or sway any person to join the C.W.A. That, she said, would be a slight on the 30,000 voluntary members who were inspired by the motives of love and service.
Aims of the C.W.A.
Outlining the objects of the Association, Mrs. Fisher said that the main objectives were:
To bring many better things into the life of the country women and their children.
To draw together the women, children and girls of the country districts.
To bring opportunities for recreation and enjoyment within the reach of all members.
To establish club rooms in country townships as social meeting places.
To assist country charities.
To support bush nursing and health reforms.
To encourage a spirit of goodwill and kindliness between all women of the country districts.
Where established, the C.W.A. had done much for the benefit of the Commonwealth, and its functioning was helping to encourage decentralisation by having the country women more happy and contented.
The motto was “Loyalty to the Throne, Service to the Country, by Country Women, through Country Women”. The definition of eligibility for membership was those women living outside the metropolitan area and applied to those living in country towns and on farms.
The lives of both were closely interwoven, and the Association strove to encourage mutual help and understanding between them. No country woman existed who was not eligible to join. The C.W.A. was strictly non-political and non-sectarian.
Touching on the matter of the rest room, the speaker stated that one of the first objects was the establishment of such a building, either by borrowing, renting, or outright purchase. The ideal centre was a large room with easy chairs, fireplace and general homely appearance, facilities for making a cup of tea, and a work basket.
Infant Health Work.
One of the largest tasks confronting the Association was to better the conditions for country mothers, and this was attacked by working through maternity hospitals and Infant Health Associations. In some places where the movement was well established, a trained nurse was provided to relieve women attending a maternity hospital and carry on her duties in the household both during her absence and for a few weeks after she returned, until such time as normal strength was regained.
Mrs. Fisher said that the C.W.A. gave all possible assistance to infant health work, conscious that this movement was performing duties of inestimable value to the country and the coming generation. It had been proved, using Dr. Slang’s words, that “owing to our artificial means of living today, instinct is not a sufficient guide in the rearing of babies”. If we could only obtain three generations of properly fed and nourished children, we would soon be a much better race.
Seaside Homes.
Mrs. Fisher emphasised the value of seaside homes to country mothers. These were common in New South Wales and Victoria but so far, due to limited capital, only one had been established in W.A.
It was located at Cottesloe Beach, and last year had accommodated 139 guests – most of them mothers who would never have secured the opportunity of a seaside holiday but for the easy conditions provided.
“Not a Charity Concern”.
The C.W.A. was not a charity concern. It helped country women to help themselves, and even though each branch was allowed to function in order to suit local conditions, members realised that every big organisation must have headquarters, and the units felt it incumbent upon them to help those headquarters.
There was nothing to prevent an isolated branch being formed, but the true spirit of the association would be lost if such a venture were attempted. Most well-established branches contributed £12 a year to the executive, and held one function during the year the proceeds of which were devoted to the general funds. Since the recent conference in England, at which branches were represented from all over the globe, the fact was emphasised to members that the movement was town, state, commonwealth and world-wide.
New Phase of C.W.A. Work
No association, continued the speaker, can attain success unless it interests and does something concrete for the younger generation.
Recently the C.W.A. had extended its activities by bringing the young girls together in communities where branches were established, and inducing them to work in conjunction with the parent body. By this means valuable assistance had been forthcoming to conduct social functions. and the help rendered to the movement generally, had been tremendous.
Mrs. Fisher maintained that there was great scope for the formation of a branch at Katanning. It was impossible to get in touch with the outback women unless the town women were first interested. From large branches smaller ones were formed, and the movement gradually extended to the more remote rural areas.
With the formation of a branch a new spirit of mutual help and the sharing of troubles was initiated – an infectious feeling of fellowship was created, and members were all bound together in joy and sorrow.
The address concluded, Mrs. G. E. H. House moved, and Mrs. Hedley Anderson seconded, that a branch of the C.W.A. be formed at Katanning. The motion was carried unanimously.
Election of Officers.
The election of officers resulted as follows:
Patroness: Mrs. F. H. Piesse.
President: Mrs. Hedley Anderson.
Vice-Presidents: Mesdames G. E. H. House, J. G. Walter and Wilfred Ogden.
Treasurer: Miss C. Hardie.
Acting Secretary: Mrs. G. E. Ford.
A resolution was passed that the newly formed branch holds its meetings on the second Friday in each month.
To the accompaniment of friendly chatter, afternoon tea was served, and a pleasant and successful afternoon was brought to a close.
COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
VISIT OF ORGANISING SECRETARY.
Great Southern Herald
18 June, 1930
On Friday afternoon, June 13th in the Masonic Hall, the newly formed Katanning branch of the Country Women’s Association held its first general meeting. There were over 60 ladies present, with the president, Mrs. Hedley Anderson, in the chair.
Mrs. Anderson introduced Mrs. T. C. Wilson, the hon. organising secretary, who gave a most interesting address on the aims and work of the Association.
Mr. A. E. Piesse, M.L.A., in proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs. Wilson, who had travelled so many miles to help Katanning start its branch, congratulated the women on having such a splendid meeting and wished them success in the future. Mr. W. J. Rogers and the Rev. Thrum supported Mr. Piesse’s remarks.
It was decided on the motion of Mrs. F. G. Joy, seconded by Mrs. W. Ogden, to make their objective this year the raising of funds to erect a Rest Room in Katanning for the convenience of country women in the district.
A letter was read from the secretary of the Katanning Road Board offering the free use of the hall for the monthly meetings, until the committee was able to make other arrangements.
At the conclusion of the meeting the committee served afternoon tea, and musical items were rendered by Miss A. Hardie and Mrs. Philip.
Mrs. Jack Norrish has undertaken the duties of hon. secretary, and will be pleased to hear from any ladies interested who wish to join the Association.
C.W.A. to build Rest Room
Great Southern Herald
26 November, 1954
At the monthly meeting of the Katanning Branch of the C. W. A., held last Friday, it was decided to build C.W.A. Rest Rooms and to improve the facilities in the existing hall. The floor will also be renewed.
Mrs A. E. Wanke, president of the branch, presided over a good attendance of members. Representatives appointed to attend the meeting regarding the Home for the Aged were Mesdames A. E. Beeck and C.B. Ball.
Catering arrangements for the Katanning Trots on December 4 were discussed and finalised, and the Christmas Party, which is to be held on December 17, was discussed. This is to take the form of a social evening and guests will be asked to bring a gift, valued at 1/6.
Recent visitors to the Eastern States, Mesdames F. A. Rogers, H. Conning and P. J. McAuliffe were welcomed back and were asked to give some of their impressions of their visits at the next social afternoon on December 3.
A recent bequest by Mr Purser, a one-time traveller in this district, was received recently by the C.W.A. Mr Purser left £500 in appreciation of many years of kindness and hospitality from country women of the Great Southern districts and he wished the money to be spent on a pleasant treat for the children of these women.
Katanning and districts quota was £12/10/0 and the social committee have the matter in hand.
It is hoped to have a millinery demonstration in December, specially in straws. The leather and basketwork demonstrations, which have proved very interesting, will be continued on Wednesday, December 8, at 10 a.m.
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