The Country Women's Association of Tasmania. (1936-)

Function
Lobby group and Voluntary organisation
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-621529

Biographies

The Country Women’s Association of Tasmania is a non-sectarian, non-party-political, non-profit lobby group and voluntary organisation working in the interests of women and children in both urban and rural areas. It was founded in 1936 in Launceston, with Mrs C. W. Peart as President, and grew quickly across the state. The Association was formed partly in response to the formation of similar groups in other states. Its major activities have revolved around the provision of services to its members, fundraising, the improvement of amenities in rural areas (initially with an emphasis on child health services) and social activities.

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of Tasmania was founded in February 1936 at a meeting in the Launceston Town Hall attended by around 80 women. The meeting was addressed by the State President of The Country Women’s Association of Victoria, Miss Elsa Grice, who outlined the history of women’s organisations throughout the world and the progress of the CWA in Australia. The Tasmanian Governor’s, Lady Clark, agreed to act as patron for the new Association and Mrs W. C. Peart (a clergyman’s wife and former member of the CWA of Victoria) was elected foundation president. A month later a similar meeting was held in Hobart, with addresses this time from the Bush Nursing Association, the National Council of Women, the Women’s Non-Party League and a past treasurer of the South Australian CWA.

The motto adopted by the league was ‘Honour to God, Loyalty to the Throne, Service to the Country, Through Country Women, For Country Women, By Country Women’.

Initially the Associations in the north and south operated separately. In 1937 they joined to form a single body, with a Northern and a Southern Division. During its first 18 months, 18 branches were formed and membership reached 550. This increased to 2500 members and 71 branches by 1940.

From its establishment the Association focussed particularly on issues relating the welfare of women and children. In conjunction with local councils, they established numerous child health centres. Restrooms were also established in many regional centres to provide facilities for members when they had to visit town. Some of these also provided rooms for visiting doctors, clinic sisters, libraries and other community services.

During WWII, as in other states, much of the Association’s energy was directed towards supporting the war effort. Twenty thousand camouflage nets were made, along with sheepskin vests, slippers, mittens and gloves. Thousands of pounds were donated to the Red Cross, Australian Comforts Fund and other causes and an ambulance was purchased for the AIF. Food parcels were sent to soldiers and British civilians. A Voluntary Aid Detachment was established which gave classes in first aid and home nursing.

From the 1946 the Association produced its own semi-annual journal, The Tasmania Country Woman. From 1966, this became a weekly new sheet published in the Tasmania Farmers’ Federation Newspaper. From 1977 they again published their own News and Views.

Handcrafts and home industries have been a particular focus of the Tasmanian Association since 1937 when committees were established to promote these activities. Numerous classes, craft schools and exhibitions have been held since this time. They have also published several cookery books. In the postwar years, choral and drama activities also became a prominent feature of the Association’s social functions. They also became interested in ‘beautification’ – planting hundreds of trees., shrubs and garden beds in public spaces. From 1942 to 1982 they also ran a Housekeeper scheme, although insufficient funds limited its success. In the 1950s and 1960s numerous holiday homes were established for members. They also showed an interest in new migrants and were represented on Good Neighbourhood Councils.

Over the years the Association has raised funds to support or establish a wide range of community services – from community Halls and playgrounds, to aged care homes, to facilities for disabled children. They have supported the Asthma Foundation, St John’s Ambulance, and Meals on Wheels and provided emergency relief in times of fire and flood.

In 2004 the aims of the Association included: -To encourage interest in current affairs, home management and cultural activities. -To support schemes which provide for: (a) Education in nutrition (b) Training in Home Economics and Home Management (c) To encourage the production of home grown foods and use of them to the best advantage. (d) Community Centres and/or Projects of Community value. (e) Children's activities. (g) Child Care. (h) Youth Organisations. (i) Crime prevention. -To take interest in education at all levels. -To welcome and take kindly interest in all newcomers in every district. -To encourage tree planting, for home and town beautification and to assist conservation.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Resources for The Country Women's Association of Tasmania.

Selected resources (15)

Australian Women's Register

  1. The Official Annual of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [1948-]
  2. The Tasmanian CountrywomanOfficial organ of the CWA in Tasmania : The Tasmanian Countrywoman
    [1946-1972]
  3. More than tea and talk :the story of CWA in Taroona, 1942-1986
    Acton, Amy
    [1987]
    Published: Taroona Branch, Country Women's Association in Tasmania
  4. A History of the North Eastern Group: Country Women's Association
    Carins, Allison
    [1986]
    Published: CWA
  5. The Formation and History of the Devonport Branch
    Bligh, Marjorie and Jean Potter
    [[1986]]
    Published: CWA
  6. News and Views / Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [1977-]
    Published: The Association
  7. Playing our part : sixty years of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania, 1936-1996 : in celebration, a Roll-of-Honour, and graphic evidence, dedicated to our membership.
    [1996]
    Published: Country Women's Association in Tasmania
  8. The 21st birthday cookery book of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [1958]
    Published: The Association
  9. Glimpses of gold : a brief history of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    Miles, Ena.
    [1987]
    Published: The Association
  10. Getting things done : the Country Women's Association of Australia
    Country Women's Association of Australia
    [1986]
    Published: The Association
  11. The Many Hats of Country Women: The Jubilee History of the Country Women's Association of Australia
    Stevens-Chambers, Brenda
    [1997]
    Published: Country Women's Association of Australia
  12. Archives Office of Tasmania: Country Women’s Association, Frankford Branch (1950 - 1958)
    Minutes, 1950-1958
    NS 1815/5
  13. Archives Office of Tasmania: Country Women’s Association, Taroona Branch (1942 - 1983)
    Minutes of meetings, 1942-1986; executive minutes, 1950-1977; register of members, 1942-1980; roll, 1976-1983; annual reports, 1943-1950; financial records, 1951-1972; glee club minutes, 1950-1954; glee club annual general meetings minutes, 1951-1960; Taroona Theatre Guild club annual general meetings minutes, 1955-1970, with photographs, programs and press cuttings.
    NS 1254
  14. Australian Historic Records Register: Country Women's Association of Australia, North Bruny Island Branch (1939 - 1988)
    Minute books, 1939-1988 (6 vols). Correspondence, 1939-1988 (1 small tin trunk). Accounts, 1939-1988 (1 folder).
    2067
  15. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: Women's Land Army, Launceston, Tasmania (1940 - 1995)
    Three looseleaf papers and handwritten copies relating to the establishment of the Women's Land Army in Launceston, Tasmania in 1940. Included is a handwritten organisational chart of the Women's Land Army (WLA), Tasmania from registered rural women up to the Tasmanian Department of Agriculture and Manpower and the Commonwealth War Organisation of Industry; a handwritten itemised list of the categories of women who were required to be listed on the 'Compulsory Register of rural women' and, typescript copies of minutes of a meeting held on June 28, 1940. Present at that meeting were three members of the Country Women's Association, Tasmania, Mrs Belmont Clark, Mrs Alice Jean Thomas OBE, Mrs V. (Edith Ranson); Mr Guy Parsons, probably Tasmanian Primary Producers Union; Mr Francis Forster, Tasmanian Member of House of Assembly and probably President of Tasmanian Farmers, Stockowners and Orchardists Association and, Miss Agnes Hodgson for whom there are brief biographical details.
    PR00765

No Comments for this organisation

 

Add a comment



Possibly related

Digitised newspapers and more

Searching...

Minimise

Diaries, letters, archives

Searching...

Minimise

Archived websites (1996 – now)

Searching...

Minimise

Pictures, photos, objects

Searching...

Minimise

Books

Searching...

Minimise

Music, sound and video

Searching...

Minimise

People and organisations

Searching...

Minimise

Journals, articles and data sets

Searching...

Minimise

Maps

Searching...

Minimise

Lists

Searching...

Minimise
  1. Baranggay Philippine Dancers Australian Tour (1968 - )
    Created by dance[NLA], 2 items.

    The Baranggay Philippine Dancers, also presented as 'The Baranggay Dancers' and 'The Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe', first toured Australia in 1968. The company was initially brought to Australia by ...

  2. West Tamar Football Association
    Created by pinkyinc, 779 items.

    To compile and document the history of Australian Rules Football in the West Tamar ( Tasmania ) district

  3. Canberra Girls' Grammar School Old Grammarians' Association
    Created by margschroeder, 49 items.

    For the use of the Old Grammarians' Association

    Keywords: CGGS Old Grammarians' Association
  1. The Country Women's Association of Tasmania (1936-)
    ... ) and social activities. The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of Tasmania was founded in February 1936 ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.064)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.064)

  2. Girl Guides Association of Australia
    ... The first meeting of the Girl Guides Association of Australia Incorporated was held in Melbourne in ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

  3. Cosgrove, Gertrude Ann (1882-1962)
    ... active in the Australian Comforts Fund, the Country Women's Association, the Australian Red Cross Society ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

  1. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 60 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.092)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.092)

  2. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 104 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.067)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.067)

  3. Website: Putting skirts on the sacred benches : women candidates for the New South Wales Parliament
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 21 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.058)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.058)

Pictures, photos, objects

No results

Minimise
  1. Australian country women's crafts / the Country Women's Association
    Country Women's Association of Victoria
    [ Book : 1986 ]
    At 47 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.634)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.634)

  2. Playing our part : sixty years of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania, 1936-1996 : in celebration, a Roll-of-Honour, and graphic evidence, dedicated to our membership
    Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [ Book : 1996 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.543)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.543)

  3. Life has never been easy : report of the survey of women in rural Australia / Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Office of the Status of Women and the Country Women's Association of Australia
    Australia. Office of the Status of Women
    [ Book : 1988 ]
    At 62 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.542)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.542)

  4. The 21st birthday cookery book of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [ Book : 1957-2010 ]
    At 11 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.477)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.477)

  1. Kim / by Rudyard Kipling
    Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936
    [ Book, Audio book : 1897-2011 ]
    Languages: English, German, Italian, [10 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 124 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.253)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.253)

  1. Plain tales from the hills / by Rudyard Kipling
    Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936
    [ Book, Audio book, Published : 1800-2010 ]
    Languages: English, French
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 57 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.29)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.29)

  2. Country Womens Association - Taroona Branch NG1254 [Records]
    State Library of Tasmania
    [ Unpublished : 1800-1999 ]
    Possibly online
    At State Lib Tas (CKN)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.147)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.147)

  3. Pamphlets
    Grey, George Sir, 1812-1898
    [ Published : 1724-1902 ]
    At State Library of NSW
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.137)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.137)

  1. Plain tales from the hills / by Rudyard Kipling
    Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936
    [ Book, Audio book, Published : 1800-2010 ]
    Languages: English, French
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 57 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.29)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.29)

  2. Kim / by Rudyard Kipling
    Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936
    [ Book, Audio book : 1897-2011 ]
    Languages: English, German, Italian, [10 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 124 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.253)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.253)

  3. Romeo and Juliet / William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1597-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, [17 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 190 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.251)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.251)

  4. Hamlet / William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1603-2009 ]
    Languages: English, Spanish, French, [26 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 201 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.226)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.226)

  1. COUNTRY WOMEN Formation of Another Association in Tasmania To the Editor of "The Mercury."
    The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Tuesday 6 October 1936 p 10 Article
    ... COUNTRY WOMEN Formation of Another Association in Tasmania To" the Editor of "The Mercury." Sir,-On February 14, 1936, a public meeting was held In . the Launceston Town Hall. There were present ... Ransom, another Country Women's Association taking the Identical name, objects, and aims of this ... 327 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.048)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.048)

  2. First C.W.A. President Dead
    The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Saturday 7 May 1949 p 8 Article
    ... First C.W.A. WX President Dead Mrs. W. C. J. Peart, who was the first Tasmanian president of the Country Women's Association from. 1936 till 1938, died in Melbourne yesterday. It was largely due to her efforts that the association was formed in Tasmania. Mrs. Peart had been in ill-health for some ... 74 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.047)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.047)

  3. WOMEN'S NEWS WHICH IS THE C.W.A.? Arguments Stated by Both Sides
    Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954) Tuesday 6 October 1936 Edition: DAILY p 14 Article
    ... Country Women's Association of Tasmania, wrltes:-"On Friday, February 14, 1936, a.public meeting was ... the Country Women's Association of Victoria), and some 70 representative women fron all nr)t5m of ... Tasmanian Country Women's Association and the state ment of Mrs. W. C., J. Peart that the Country ... 655 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.038)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.038)

  1. News and views (Hobart, Tas.)
    Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [ Periodical : 1977-2011 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.069)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.069)

  2. The Tasmanian Countrywoman / Official organ of the CWA in Tasmania
    Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [ Periodical : 1900-1972 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.007)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.007)

  3. Official annual of the Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    Country Women's Association in Tasmania
    [ Periodical : 1948-2011 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.911)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.911)

  4. Kim / by Rudyard Kipling
    Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936
    [ Book, Audio book : 1897-2011 ]
    Languages: English, German, Italian, [10 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 124 libraries
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.458)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.458)