90 Years of CWA

90 Years of CWA

Presentation at the Conference Gala Dinner, May 2012

Introduction

In brief the Country Women’s Association of NSW began when Miss Florence Gordon, Women’s Editor of the Stock & Station Journal and Dr Arthur, former Minister for Health, decided action needed to be taken to bring country women suffering from hardship, loneliness and depression together.

A discussion and article in the Journal attracted the attention of Mrs Hugh Munro (Grace) of “Keera”, Bingara. It was agreed to convene a Conference at the 1922 Royal Agricultural Show in Sydney, where a decision was made to form an organisation called “The Country Woman’s Association”, to work towards improving the conditions of country women and children, Mrs Grace Munro was elected president and in June 1922 a General Meeting was held to form the “Aims of the Association”.

That is how it all began.

We are now going to walk you through the decades.

1922 – 1932

State Presidents during this time: Mrs G Munro MBE, 1922-1924; Mrs A.J Study, 1925-1928; Mrs M Sawyer, 1928-1938.

The sun shone warmly in Crookwell in 22nd April 1922, promising the first branch of the Country Women’s Association of NSW a bright future. Mrs Stephen Laver’s arrival in a new Buick car symolised the will to advance with the times.

By the end of 1923 there were 68 Branches with 17 Rest Rooms and the Dee Why Building that was to become Keera House had been purchased. Keera House was opened in 1924, debt free thanks to the Cumberland Branch and city members, who were Associate Members at that time as they were not granted full membership until 1930.

The 1923 State Conference was held in Sydney, the next was held in Moree and then in 1931 Head Quarters was moved to Sydney until 1937 when Orange was chosen as the venue.

·  Baby health Centre’s were set up, Moree was first, soon followed by small hospitals: Hillston’s on 1926 and Burren Junction in 1932 to name a few.

·  Emergency Housekeeping started in 1926.

·  Rest Tents at Agricultural Shows were pioneered by Kyogle.

·  Nyngan was the first town to have a Country Women’s Association ambulance but other Branches supplied 39 Sylvia stretchers to local ambulances.

·  Hospital Visiting began. The Committee was formed in 1930 and the Emergency fund was set up to provide instant relief in times of disaster.

·  In 1927 Younger Sets came into being with 4 started that year and 142 by 1937. Disbanded in 1970 they were replaced to some extent by Evening Branches.

·  Wool prices collapsed in 1929 and The Country Women’s Association sprang into action with the “Use More Wool” campaign. This was the beginning of organized handicraft activities.

The 1931 Act to Incorporate the Country Women’s Association of NSW empowered the Association to acquire, hold, sell, mortgage and lease land.

We had come of age.

1932 – 1942

State Presidents during this time: Mrs M. Sawyer OBE, 1928-1938; Mrs J.C Beveridge MBE, 1928-1941; Mrs J.J Garry MBE, 1941-

Here we are in the 1930’s and for eight years of this decade Mrs M. Sawyer OBE from Cootamundra presided. She was so popular, well known and hard working that she held office for 10 years.

It was in 1932 that the Challenge Cup for increase membership was donated by our great friends of the time, David Jones, Ltd, who continued this sponsorship for 70 years.

1933 heralded our affiliation with the Associated Country Women of the World and during 1935 the Handicraft Committee was formalized, although handicrafts had been an important feature of CWA from its inception.

The first issue of our journal, The Countrywoman, was published in 1937, as was the first edition of the Coronation Cookery Book.

Also at the 1937 Annual Conference, a proposal was adopted to make the Royal Flying Doctor Service a project of the CWA.

This sired emotions within the Association and in early 1938 the newly elected State President, Mrs J.C Beveridge MBE from the Gundagai area, presented one thousand pounds towards the construction of the RFD base in Broken Hill.

Another highlight of that year was an invitation to stage an exhibition of pure wool articles at the Royal Agricultural Show sesquicentennial celebrations.

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 saw a change in direction of our service to our country. Depots were set up for knotting camouflage nets and again David Jones assisted by giving over a whole floor of the city store for the CWA war effort.

A Newcastle factory of members turned 5 million feet of wire into 9,180 camouflage net frames to be distributed to branches and members throughout the State.

Members knitted hundreds of jerseys, balaclavas, socks and gloves, and covered 37,000 field water bottles.

They reconditioned 264,000 pairs of trousers and trench coats, and took on an idea of Mrs Steven Laver to make 40,000 sheepskin vests. These were credited with saving many lives as the enemy thought they were bullet proof vests and shot at the legs of the soldiers.

Members rendered down tons of fat for Britain collected tinned fruit and made 1,500 Christmas cakes for our sister society in England.

With food rationing miracles had to be achieved to provide tea and food for the troop trains, often at very short notice, but our country women were, and still are, clever at creating something out of nothing.

Not yet 20 years old, the Country Women’s Association now has 16,000 members in 358 Branches across NSW.

During 1941 Mrs J.J Garry MBE from Binalong was elected and presided over the numerous activities during the remaining war years. Because of her wonderful leadership she was elected for a fourth year.

1942 – 1952

1942-1952 was possibly the most challenging and demanding time in the history of CWA when the wisdom and dedication of the State Presidents and the tenacity and strength of our members were paramount.

Mrs Garry was a wonderful compassionate leader capable of overseeing the vital war work of the Association and travel extensively throughout the state:-

Empowering and inspiring women to support each other and their families to use knitting, sewing and cooking skills to work tirelessly for the war effort.

The member’s patriotic spirit and practical response was magnificent:

·  400 camouflage netting circles were established in Rest Rooms (500,000 nets made in 1 year) where thousands of pairs of socks, jumpers, balaclavas, scarves mittens and cakes were made for comfort parcels (also made in homes throughout the state)

CWA turned 21 in 1943, a time of great service to our country for the war effort.

At home, Branches had established:-

·  136 Rest Rooms, 120 Baby Health Clinics, 14 Hospitals, 8 holiday homes, 6 rest homes and 60 libraries

·  1942 Women’s Land Army was formed, supported by CWA

·  Bayswater House was rented for a Home for Service Women and later a hostel for country students – closed in 1951

·  1945 on Christmas Day members manned St. Andrews Canteen and served 600 breakfasts, 2000 dinners and numerous evening meals

·  They served at Lord Mayors Depot, YWCA, British Centre of the US Navy Barge

·  Combined with YWCA to provide monthly entertainment, dances, suppers etc.

·  Wherever Service men and women needed help CWA responded with care, compassion and hospitality.

·  In 1947 Mrs Bertha Macsmith the State President and former Editor of “The Country Woman” inspired the publication “The Silver Years” to celebrate 25 years of proud achievements

1946 – 1947 Time of Growth

·  Membership swelled to 20,000 in 367 Branches, 108 Younger Sets

·  School Hostels opened in Inverell, Narrandera, Mudgee and Narrabri (jointly funded by Dept. of Ed.)

·  The Haven at Broken Hill opened linking the Royal Flying Doctor Service with the District Hospital

·  Meals on Wheels started

·  The Land Cookery Competition started

Property Development peaked with the Opening of Grace Homes at Nambucca Heads, flats at South West Rocks and increasing number of Rest Rooms and Baby Health Centres.

·  Royal Easter Show Kiosk started. Our public “Tea and Scones” image was born.

·  In 1946 an appeal was made to Branches for funds to rebuild Keera House and the Newcastle Home.

·  In 1947 almost every Branch held a “Blue and Gold Ball”, fully supported by their enthusiastic communities. (Newcastle House renamed Ruth Fairfax House opened in 1954 free of debt.)

CWA of Australia United the States and Territory

Encouraged by the State President Mrs Brooks, links with the Associated Country Women of the World –ACWW were strengthened and International work flourished.

·  Committees were formed to welcome and befriend the influx of migrants and newcomers.

With the drive and commitment of the State President Mrs Edith Gordon, our members efforts were again galvanized to assist in the emotional and mental rehabilitation and recovery needed to rebuild the lives of returned service men and women, their families and local communities, after the shattering effects of war.

·  With friendship and fellowship the “lynch pin” members again directed their cooking craft and home making skills to educating women and their families in their own communities.

·  A magnificent example of patriotic Service to our Country, through, for and by Country Women.

1952 – 1962

State Presidents during this time: Mrs J.M Gordon MBE; Mrs W.H Cullen OBE; Mrs J.A Lander OBE; Mrs T Bate CBE

In 1953 membership totaled 30, 427 in 547 Branches. CWA of NSW continued to be a force to be reckoned with. Its standing in the community and with the government of the day continued to be very high.

In 1957 a wing was added to the residential property at 11 Greenknowe Avenue in Potts Point to house Head Office which moved there from Macquarie Place. The Auditorium and Handicraft Shop were incorporated into the complex.

Meanwhile Keera House, a holiday home formerly situated in Dee Why was relocated to a newly purchased site in Manly and Ruth Fairfax House was opened in Merewether.

During these years the first Branch for mainly Aboriginal women was opened in Toomelah and it continued to function until 1970.

The first Branch of the Air was established.

The plight of women with mental illness became apparent to the Association with resulted in the commencement of Branches at Morisset, Kenmore and Bloomfield which could give members in these places an outside interest.

Overseas students were coming to Australia in increasing numbers and many could not afford to return home for holidays, so owing to the generosity of CWA members “Home Hospitality” was offered to these young people with arrangements being made through the International Foundation. Through this initiative many long-term friendships were formed.

During these years the Association afforded much needed assistance to the UNRA, UNICEF and FAO with monetary donations to causes such as Milk for India. Members were requested to embroider 500 UN flags for presentation to public bodies.

The number of scholarships increased as the need for education at home and abroad was recognised. Endowment based scholarships were administered at Executive Level. There were also many Group and Branch scholarships offered.

This was also an era of change. Many Baby Health Centres, CWA Hospitals and Student Hostels were found to be superfluous to needs and were subsequently closed.

A period of keen involvement in pursuits such as International studies, Land Cookery and Handicrafts ensued. International Days involving a country of Study became outstanding events in Branch calendars and large sums of money were raised to assist the work of the Associated Country Women of the World.

Our care and compassion now had a global significance.

1962-1972

State Presidents during this time Mrs G.T Barber, Mrs W.W Sharrock MBE and Mrs S.F Nlxon CBE.

Our first Units for the Aged were opened in Quandialla. Ruth Fairfax House at Merewether was converted from holiday accommodation to a Student Hostel.

As a contribution to the Freedom from Hunger Campaign, in 1965, CWA offered an International Scholarship, to enable Papua New Guinea Girls to study Home Economics at the South Pacific Training Centre in Fiji. In recent years it has been our pleasure to host our sponsored student to visit NSW Branches, at the completion of her course.

The State Cultural Committee was formed in 1966, and has developed into a Showcase for the talents of writers, artists and singers.

Younger Sets were closed. Have our efforts to improve the education and career opportunities for children in isolated areas been too successful?

During the Vietnam War, the United States Government asked the Association to host Rest and Recreation (R & R) for American Servicemen on a 5 Day Leave. Over a 4 year period, 280,000 personnel spent time with Australian families, some as far removed from the coast as Urana. Those who kept in touch offered reciprocal hospitality in America. A “Thank You” Plaque hands in our Auditorium.

A mark of the National influence of the CWA was shown by our representation on 21 major decision-making bodies.

1972, our Golden Jubilee year, was celebrated by the publication of “The Golden Years”, and the issue of a CWA Commemorative stamp and first day cover. State Conference in Sydney attracted 1,000 delegates, who were invited to a Garden Party at Government House. The Governor, Sir Roden Cutler, and Lady Cutler, were also present at our State Dinner.