The Country Womans Association of Australia

The Country Women's Association was first formed in New South Wales in 1922 Subsequently each State and the Northern Territory formed an Association, a process which took a period of 14 years.

In 1943, a meeting was held in Sydney of The State Associations reforming a Federal body, but it was not until 1945 that at a meeting of all State Presidents, that it was agreed to form The Country Women's Association of Australia, recognition was swift and Mrs. Marfell, the first President was invited by the Federal Government to join a select committee to consider various aspects of the Nationality Bill then before the House, This committee gave consideration to anomalies which arise over the Nationality of women who marry foreigners. The First Annual Conference of C.W.A of Australia was held in Adelaide in 1946. The next Conference was hold in Sydney, at which delegates were appointed to go to the Associated Country Women of the World Conference in Amsterdam. It was then decided to meet bi annually, to operate a fare pool and to hold a C.W.A day of prayer. Various changes of constitution were affected over the years in an attempt to make the National Association more effective while preserving the autonomy of the Member Associations, In 1985 Miss Dorothy Ross of N.S.W. was elected to the office as National President. Until then, the states had taken it in turns to supply a President for the National body. The National President is now elected to the office for a 3 year term with the States still taking it in turns for the National Conference. The total membership of the Country Women's Association in the States and Territory is 44,000 members and 1855 branches. The, C.W.A. of Australia is the largest women's organization in Australia. The aim of the association is to improve the conditions for country women and children and try to make life better for women and their families, especially those women in rural and remote Australia. C.W.A is non party political and non sectarian and is open to all women who are in sympathy with the aims of the Association Properties built and maintained by members include.,

-Student hostels.

Scholarships are awarded to students in many different fields and all ages and back grounds including, mature age women who need help,

Instruction is given in all Crafts, Participation is encouraged in Drama, Art and Music, Public Speaking, Cooking and Floral Art. Workshops are held to encourage older members to use the Computer and the A.T. M, machines and electronic banking. Submissions are made to all Governments on a wide variety of social issues. C.W.A of Aust. is a member of the A.C.W.W, through which it has non government organization status at the United Nations,

C.W.A, made a huge contribution to this country during the War Years 1939 to 1945. Meals that were provided by C.W.A for the troops at Quorn in S.A. and Tennant Creek in N.T. were rated one of the best voluntary war time services in Australia. The making of Camouflage nets and the knitting of Balaklava's and Sox for the troops was also very much appreciated. The depression years saw the C.W.A to the fore helping those in need with food and clothing parcels.

In 1992 C.W.A of Australia was awarded the R.S.L. Anzac Peace Prize in recognition of the outstanding effort by an Australian organization which has promoted the concept of International understanding and has made a contribution to world peace in accordance with best traditions exemplified by A.N.Z.A.C.

In 1995 the C.W.A of Australia, acknowledged 50 years of involvement at Federal Government level on behalf of Urban, Rural and Remote members throughout Australia. The 29th Triennial Conference held in Adelaide in June 1997 saw the launch of The Many Hats Of Country Women, an anecdotal record of the work of The National Presidents and Members.

Over the last 3 years, C.W.A. Australia wide have donated over $600,00‑00 to all manner of health needs including:

The Royal Flying Doctor. Jean Calven Hospital . Rural doctors Bush Bursaries. Foetal Monitor for a country hospital. Cancer Support. Palliative care units. Lymphedema measurement perometer. Mobile bone density unit. Research into mosquito born viruses. Lupus. Parkinson's Disease. Prostrate Cancer B.I.M.D. Blood Cord Bank

Currently the Association is represented on The National Rural Health Alliance

0The Rural Women's Advisory Group with the D. P.I. E,

Farmsafe Australia. Consumers Telecommunications Network. Rural Training Council of Australia Telstra Consumer Council. Austel Postal Services Consultative Council of Aust. Post and other bodies.

All branches participate in preparing comments on proposed legislative changes which are forwarded to appropriate Ministers.

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THE COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
NON PARTY POLITICAL		NON-SECTARIAN
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