Monday, September 18, 2023

Garfield Country Women's Association: a short history

This is a short, and  by no means complete, history of the Garfield Country Women's Association (CWA), as gleaned through newspaper reports from Trove.

In February 1931, Mrs Waller, the Secretary of the Country Women’s Association toured Gippsland where she attended the inaugural meetings of six new groups - Korumburra, Leongatha, Tarwin, Foster, Yarram and on Saturday, February 14, Garfield. The Age reported that at Garfield - Mrs. Howell was appointed president, Mesdames McCleod [sic], Robertson, Waugh and Daniel vice-presidents, and Mrs. Leask as secretary. (1) Mrs Kerr-Paterson, the President of the Koo Wee Rup branch, also attended this meeting at Garfield. Mrs Kerr-Paterson was one of the inaugural members of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria when it was formed on March 12, 1928. (2)

The CWA was established to speak and act for the country women and children.....the organisation will set itself the task of improving the conditions under which women and their families live in the country, promoting social contact, encouraging the study of affairs of local government which touch intimately the home life of the people, maintaining and improving educational facilities, and securing for the country districts adequate medical and hospital facilities. (3)

At the next meeting of the Garfield CWA, held on March 5 1931, Mrs Fraser, the State President, attended and spoke on what the other country women of the world are doing. At this meeting the tea hostesses were Mesdames McLeod, Howell, Parrish and Leask. (4). A later report in July 1931 listed Mrs Jennings as secretary. By March 1932, the group had 24 members. (5)

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of February 18, 1932 reported on the first anniversary of the Garfield branch -
C.W.A. Anniversary - On Thursday evening, the 11th instant, the local branch of the Country Women's Association held an evening to celebrate its first anniversary. It took the form of crazy whist, and modern and old-time dancing for those who did not play cards. A guessing competition was won by Mr Will Crouch. Miss Shaw won the ladies' prize and Mr Wade the gents at whist. During the evening Mrs Limmer sang, and Miss Elsie Shreeves recited, and Mrs Brennan supplied the music for the dancing. There was also a stall of articles which had been made for the local hospital effort, when good business was done and will result in helping along with the hospital funds. A dainty supper was provided by the C.W.A. members, which closed a very enjoyable evening. (6)

In 1933, the office bearers were Mrs W. Mortimer, president; Mrs. Nutting, secretary; Mrs. Nilsson, treasurer and Mesdames Tutton, Burleigh, Martin and Robertson vice-presidents.(7)  In December 1936, Mrs Patterson was elected as the President, with Mrs Wilson as Secretary and treasurer and Miss Williams, assistant Secretary. (8)

Before we look at some of the activities of the group we will look at who these early office-bearers women were, as much as I could discover through the Electoral Rolls.
Margaret Howell - wife of Stanley, the E.S. & A. Bank Manager at Garfield.
Lesley Vera McLeod - wife of Garfield doctor, Kenneth McLeod. I have written about Dr McLeod, here.
Mrs Robertson - possibly Florence Ada, wife of William, a farmer of Bunyip.
Clara Waugh - wife of William Waugh, school teacher. William Waugh left the Garfield school in 1933 after 15 years and a case of cutlery was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Waugh as a token of esteem from the residents of Garfield, whilst Mrs. Waugh was the recipient of a crystal necklet from the members of the C.W.A.(9).
Alice Minnie Daniel - wife of Frederick Daniel of Mikado Park, Garfield.
Jessie Leask - wife of  George, a farmer of 14 Mile Road, Garfield.
Eva Parish - wife of Alfred, orchardist of Garfield and mother of local historian, Bill Parish.
Ruby Jennings - wife of Garfield baker, Alexander.
Mrs W. Mortimer - possibly Jane Elizabeth Mortimer, wife of William, of Oaklands, Bald Hill Road, Nar Nar Goon.
Eunice Nutting - wife of Arthur, store-keeper. I have written about the Nutting family and their time at Catani, Garfield and Black Rock, here.
Eleanor Nilsson - wife of Percival, a farmer of Tynong. In 1940, she was Secretary of the CWA West Gippsland Group (10)
Agnes Tutton - wife of Leonard, a farmer of 13 Mile Road.
Isabella Stella Burleigh - wife of Andrew, farmer of Main Drain Road, Iona.
Mrs Martin - possibly Mabel Florence Martin of Garfield.
Enid Patterson - wife of Garfield Doctor, James Patterson, who had taken over Dr McLeod's practice in 1933. In 1940 she was elected president of the CWA West Gippsland Group (11). I have written about Dr Patterson, here.
Mrs Wilson and Miss Williams - not sure who they are.

There is a plaque near the War Memorial in Main Street, Garfield, honouring the foundation members of the CWA – one is the aforementioned Agnes Tutton and the other two are Kate Hourigan, whose husband Henry was a coach builder and Agnes Towt, wife of Ernest, a saw-miller.


Garfield C W A. members: Miss A. Dohertv, Mesdames L. Chappell, F. Rigg, L. Haigh,
N. Sturzaker (Treas.), C. Simcocks.

It appears that even though the CWA had as its focus the task of improving the lives of women and children in the country, this was a very broad purview. In August 1933, Garfield members attended a conference of the West Gippsland branches at Clyde. There was a broad range of motions passed at this conference - that the law regarding the wrapping of bread should be enforced; that obstructions at all dangerous crossings be removed, and that hedges be cut down 10 feet each way to safeguard the travelling public; that the Lands department be urged to use all possible vigilance in preventing the spoliation of fern-tree gullies in Gippsland. (12).

In February 1937, Garfield hosted the conference of the West Gippsland branches and over 200 women attended. There were two main issues discussed and I expected this one where - Dr. Younger Ross (13) gave a fine address on the work that is being done for the babies of Victoria, and stated that it was now possible to send a caravan fitted up for a nurse to travel to the outback parts of the State. (14)

I was, however, surprised by the following, about the destruction of forests - It was felt that as a Coronation gesture, we should plant trees. Mrs. Russell Grimwade’s fine letter in the “Argus” of February 6 (week-end section) was discussed. It is entitled, “Nature Takes Revenge,” and deals with the terrible after-effects of the ruthless destruction of forests. All over the world it has gone on for centuries, and still man has not learned the lesson taught. Before man came trees. After may come deserts. And disasters such as floods, silting dust, storms and erosion are awaiting us, in the very near future, unless the preservation of timber and forests is put into the charge of the Forestry Department, with its men of expert knowledge, instead of under the control of the Lands Department, as at present. Members are asked to read this letter at their next branch meetings. (15)


Garfield delegates at the Dalyston CWA conference - Mesdames F. Burleigh (v-p), 
F. Marsh (treas.), N. Bassed (pres.), W. Masters, S. Laity (sec.)

In February 1949, Garfield again hosted the West Gippsland CWA conference, attended by 150 delegates. The Dandenong Journal reported that the Branches present were - Tynong, Tooradin, Pakenham, Officer, Nar Nar Goon, Narre Warren, Lang Lang, Kooweerup, Harkaway, Garfield, Dalyston, Dandenong, Clyde North, Clyde, Cardinia, Cranbourne, Berwick, and Beaconsfield and Catani. The Catani branch was established the year before and already had a membership of 21. (16)  As a matter of interest, Garfield's close neighbour, Bunyip also had a CWA branch, established around July 1936, however they were in the Central Gippsland group, which ran from Yallourn to Bunyip. (17)

Two of the motions passed at the 1949 conference, both aimed at improving the amenity and convenience of country life were -
Tynong: “That the present railway time-table be amended to allow the 6 p.m. train from Melbourne to stop at smaller stations, instead of running “express” to Warragul. It was pointed out that residents of the smaller towns were penalised in being compelled to catch the afternoon train, as it must shortened the time available for business in the city.
Nar Nar Goon: “That the Electricity Commission be asked to facilitate the installation of light and power especially in dairying districts.” It was stated that Nar Nar Goon was promised a service two years but they were still waiting.
(18)

Naturally, many of the activities of the CWA were domestic in nature – one of the first activities of the Garfield branch in 1931 was to "adopt" a Mallee family of seven children and supply them with clothing; in 1935 the ladies were given a demonstration of the many uses to which sealing wax may be applied, and demonstrations of poker work (the craft of decorating wood by burning  a design with a hot metal point) and in 1937 members enjoyed a dressmaking demonstration given by Mrs Redpath. (19)

In December 1936, it was reported that through the efforts of the Country Women's Association the Infant Welfare centres at Garfield and Bunyip have been granted a whole day a week by the Government. Sister Mitchell of Warragul visits these centres on the days allotted. This was a major achievement for local mothers as they could obtain free and professional advice on caring for their babies. The CWA continued to support the Infant Welfare Centre over the years, by donating baby clothes and money. (20)

Amongst the other practical activities undertaken by the branch - in February 1939 they arranged a kitchen and pantry tea for three families who were burnt out in the Black Friday bushfires. The Garfield women would have had great sympathy for these bushfire victims as on April 15,1937 the branch lost all their possessions when the Garfield Hall was destroyed by fire. (21)

At the 1946 Conference at Dandenong, the Garfield delegates put forward this practical motion -
“That the C.W.A., as one of its post-war schemes, edit its own Housekeeping Book, to contain sections for cooking suitable for beginners starting life in the country, hints on first-aid, school lunches and keeping of food, with a chart showing cuts of meat.” This resolution was moved by Garfield branch, which stressed the value of such a book to the young housewife new to the country, or the ex-service girl starting domestic life afresh. Tooradin branch seconded the motion. An amendment to postpone this motion until September to enable particulars as to cost, etc., to be obtained, was moved by Mrs. K. Paterson, seconded Mrs. Rogers (Cranbourne) and carried. (22)

The branch also organised Debutante balls - I have found a report of one in November 1938, where the debs were listed as Misses O. Perkins, J. Galway. J. Hicks, J. Perkins, M. McClure, M. Preston, V. Barnes, M. Dawes, and N. Preston. The only other Debutante ball I know about was  held in July 1957 as my aunt, Marion Rouse, was one of the debs; her partner was Frank Dineen. (23)

Garfield C.W.A. members: Mesdames H. Gibson, C. F. Gates, E. Watts, V. Maud, 
S. Laity (sec.), M. Marsh (treas., and sec. Infant Welfare Committee), C. Rowlerson, 
A. Bassed, (pres.), E. Cox, D. James, J. Lindsay, E. Parr, E. Sturzaker.


The Garfield CWA was still going strong in the 1950s. Some of their members were among the 200 delegates at the September 1952 West Gippsland group conference at Dandenong. At this conference the following motion was passed, once again showing the broad range of interests and concerns the women had -
A resolution, moved by Tynong and seconded by Garfield was carried, relating to Cruelty of Dumb Animals, and requesting that Victorian laws relating to same be brought into line with those of the other States. (24)

When did the Garfield CWA cease? I know they were in existence in 1971, as I have a copy of a Bunyip and Garfield Express newspaper from November 1971 and at a report of the Annual General Meeting  the following office bearers were elected -  Mrs H. Marson, President; Mrs E. Kavanagh, Secretary; Mrs L. Kellaway,  Treasurer and the Vice Presidents were Mrs A. Dick, Mrs L. Kierce and Mrs V. Marsh. (25)


Report of the 1971 Annual General Meeting
Bunyip and Garfield Express, November 25, 1971, p. 1

The CWA Railway Garden and playground
In July 1937, in a practical activity to directly aid local families, the Garfield CWA was granted a block of land at Garfield for a children's playground and the planting of ornamental trees by the Railways Department. (26) The playground was opened in February 1938 by the CWA Group President, Mrs Gamble, who, after congratulating the branch on its progressiveness, cut the green and yellow ribbon and declared the park open. Mrs Gamble was presented with a beautiful bouquet by Marjorie Lawson, one of the children who will be enjoying the benefits of the new playground. (27)

In January 1940, the branch planted shrubs and seedlings, the gift of the Railway department, in the new portion of the C.W.A. garden. (28) The local Council was both unhelpful and helpful – in January 1940, the council was reluctantly compelled to refuse its request for a light in the Garfield Playground and Garden; however in November 1943, council agreed to clean up the garden and playground at Garfield. (29)

Sadly, the garden was associated with a tragic accident in October 1950. The Argus reported -
Found near line - A five-year-old boy, Geoffrey Roberts, of Garfield, died after he was found lying in a deep gutter at the side of the railway line at Garfield on Saturday. Police believe that he was struck by the Warragul-Melbourne train after wandering from the near-by playground onto the line. The driver of the train did not know of the accident. (30).

Perhaps in response to this accident, the Railways decided to enforce the original conditions of the use of the land and in March 1951, the Dandenong Journal reported - 
The Railway Department advised that it had been brought under notice that swings and a sandpit had been placed on land at Garfield leased by the Department to council for beautification purposes. This was contrary to the terms of the lease. In August, 1946, the Commissioners had refused to permit council to establish a children’s playground on the land in question. It was requested that the swings and sandpit be removed as early as practicable. Councillors agreed that the equipment would have to be shifted and the Garfield Progress Association is to be contacted about the matter. (31) The playground had been  removed by October 1951 (32)


Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove on the activities of the Garfield branch of the Country Women's Association,  access it here.

Footnotes
(1) The Age, February17, 1931, see here.
(2) The Argus, March 14, 1928,  see here and here; Mrs Kerr-Paterson, born Margaret McAlpin Davis, she married William Kerr-Paterson in 1915; her first husband John Smerdon had died in 1914.  In the 1926 Electoral Roll he was the manager of the London Bank at Koo Wee Rup, in 1931 he was listed as an Estate Agent at Dandenong. Margaret died in Dandenong in 1954, aged 83. You can read her obituary in the Dandenong Journal of September 1, 1954, here.
(3) The Age, March 15, 1928, see here.
(4) Weekly Times, March 14, 1931, see hereWeekly Times, March 21, 1931, see here;
(5) The Argus, July 11, 1931, see here; Weekly Times, March 5, 1932, see here.
(6) Koo Wee Rup Sun, February 18, 1932, p. 4
(7) The Age, November 29, 1933, see here.
(8) The Age, December 5, 1936, see here.
(9) Horsham Times, January 20 1933, see here.
(10) Dandenong Journal, November 27, 1940, see here.
(11) Dandenong Journal, February 14, 1940, see here. Dandenong Journal, November 27, 1940, see here.
(12) The Age, August 11, 1933, see here.
(13) Dr Henrietta Younger Ross (1887-1956), read her Australian Dictionary of Biography entry here https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ross-isabella-henrietta-younger-isie-8272
(14) Dandenong Journal, February 25, 1937, see here.
(15) Ibid
(16) Dandenong Journal, February 23, 1949,  see here.
(17) The Age, July 7, 1936, see here; The Argus, March 12, 1949, see here.
(18) Dandenong Journal, February 23, 1949,  see here.
(19) The Age, June 2, 1931, see here; Dandenong Journal, March 21 1935, see here; Weekly Times, April 24, 1937, see here.
(20) The Argus, December 18, 1936, see here; The Age, December 28, 1937, see here;  The Age, December 21, 1938, see here. Weekly Times, May 4, 1940, see here. Local Infant Welfare Centres  https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2022/10/baby-health-care-centres.html
(21) The Age, February 2, 1939, see here; Weekly Times, April 24, 1937, see here; I have written about the Garfield Hall, here https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/06/garfield-public-hall.html
(22) Dandenong Journal, March 6, 1946, see here.
(23) The Age, November 4, 1938, see here.
(24) The Dandenong Journal, September 10, 1952, see here.
(25) Bunyip and Garfield Express, November 25, 1971, p. 1
(26) The Argus, July 22, 1937, see here.
(27) Dandenong Journal, February 23, 1938, see here.
(28) The Age, January 10, 1940, see here.
(29) Dandenong Journal, January 24, 1940 see here; Dandenong Journal, November 24, 1943, see here.
(30) The Argus, October 9, 1950, see here.
(31) Dandenong Journal, March 28, 1951, see here.
(32) Dandenong Journal, October 24, 1951, see here.

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