Country Women's Association facts for kids
CWA building in Bungendore
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| Abbreviation | CWA |
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| Formation | 20 April 1922 |
| Founder | Grace Munro, Florence Gordon |
| Founded at | Sydney |
| Type | Not-for-profit organisation |
| Purpose | To improve the conditions for women and children and make life better for families, especially those living in rural and remote Australia. |
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The Country Women's Association (CWA) is a special group for women in Australia. Its main goal is to help women, families, and communities. They focus especially on those living in country areas, far from big cities.
The CWA is made up of seven separate groups, one for each Australian State and Territory. There used to be a national group that helped coordinate them all. However, this national group stopped in 2022. This was because new ways of communicating made it easier for the State groups to work together directly.
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How the CWA Started
The very first Country Women's Association in Australia began on April 20, 1922. This happened at a meeting for women from the bush in Sydney. The meeting was held at the same time as the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
A newspaper editor named Florence Gordon helped organize this meeting. She had support from her newspaper and a politician, Dr. Richard Arthur. Dr. Arthur first thought of the idea in 1919. He was worried about how hard life was for women and children in the countryside.
Grace Emily Munro was chosen as the first President of this new group. It became known as the Country Women's Association of New South Wales.
CWA Groups Across Australia
Just five months later, in August 1922, the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) was formed. This happened at another meeting in Brisbane. Ruth Fairfax became its first president. She was very important in helping the CWA grow in Queensland and New South Wales.
Other CWA groups soon started in different states:
- Country Women's Association of Western Australia in 1924.
- South Australia in 1926.
- Victoria in 1928.
- The Northern Territory in 1933.
- Tasmania in 1936.
Helping During Tough Times
During the Great Depression, the CWA helped many people. They gave out food and clothes to families who needed them.
During World War II, the CWA played a big part in helping Australia. They became known for being very reliable during this difficult time. Members made thousands of camouflage nets and warm vests for soldiers. They also fixed uniforms, knitted items, and baked treats for the troops. They even set up places for soldiers to relax. In 1992, the CWA of Australia won the RSL Anzac Peace Prize. This award recognized their great work in helping to create peace and understanding around the world.
A Royal Wedding Cake
When Princess Elizabeth (who later became Queen) married Philip Mountbatten in 1947, they received many cakes. The CWA sent one of the only 12 cakes they accepted.
The CWA made a huge wedding cake, 1.5 meters tall! It had six layers, one for each Australian State. Each State donated ingredients for the cake. The cake was decorated with the Australian coat-of-arms and silver fern leaves.
The icing was made by a special cake decorator in Sydney. The cake was baked at a famous department store. The six layers were flown to London in separate tins. One layer was even damaged on the way, but a pastry chef in Israel fixed it!
Education, Health, and Wellbeing
The CWA helps young people by offering scholarships for students. They also teach and encourage skills in drama, art, music, and public speaking. Older members can learn how to use computers and online banking.
The CWA talks to the government about many important social issues. Even though they do many things, the CWA is often known for its delicious scones! They are a big part of many local communities in Australia. The CWA helps women and children of all ages with their health and wellbeing.
Buildings and Funding
The CWA owns many buildings, like community halls, that their members built and look after. In recent years, some of these halls have been sold. This is because the CWA is a self-funded group. Some local branches did not have enough members to pay for things like council rates, insurance, and electricity. Between 2003 and 2005, nine halls in New South Wales were sold.
The National CWA Group
The idea of having a national CWA group started in 1929. But it wasn't until 1945 that the CWA of Australia was officially formed. This happened at a meeting in Melbourne. For many years, different states took turns leading the national group.
In 1983, new rules were made so that the National President would be elected by a vote. In 1985, Dorothy Ross became the first elected president of the CWA of Australia.
As mentioned earlier, the CWA of Australia officially stopped in early 2022. This was partly because it became much easier for the State groups to communicate directly. They felt they no longer needed a single national point of contact. The State groups now have more power to speak up about issues important to their members.
Queensland CWA (QCWA)
The Queensland CWA group started on August 11, 1922, in Brisbane. Ruth Fairfax was their first President. This group celebrated 100 years of helping people in Queensland on August 11, 2022.
The first meeting of the Toowoomba branch happened on September 12, 1922. Mrs. Ruth Fairfax was there and talked about what the CWA wanted to achieve.
In 2013, the Queensland CWA was added to the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.
In 2017, the QCWA even created its own perfume called '1922'. This was to celebrate their 95th birthday! It was sold at the 2017 Ekka show.
Documentary
There is a TV show called Not All Tea and Scones. It was made by ABC-TV in 2007. This show is mostly about the CWA group in New South Wales.
Images for kids
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CWA building at Elliston, South Australia, first branch building in South Australia (1936)
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Giru, Queensland, 2009
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The Rest Room, Helidon, Queensland, opened 1957
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Kilcoy, Queensland, 2011
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Esk, Queensland, 2011
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CWA building at Braidwood, New South Wales
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Queensland Country Women's Association Rest Rooms, ca. 1931. Biggenden, Queensland
See also
- Associated Country Women of the World
- Feminism in Australia
- Taking Tea – a sculpture honoring the work of the CWA in Dumbleyung, Western Australia
