The establishment of the Koo Wee Rup Country Women's Association in 1929

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of Victoria was formed on March 12, 1928. The aims of the organisation were 

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. (1)

Mrs Kerr-Paterson of Koo Wee Rup was one of the inaugural members of the CWA executive committee and the inaugural President of the Koo Wee Rup branch. This post looks at the life of Margaret Kerr-Paterson (also known as  Margaret Paterson) and the Koo Wee Rup Branch of the CWA. 

CWA Inaugural Conference, Margaret Kerr-Paterson on left.

Some of the women who attended the conference which resulted in the formation of the Victorian Country Women's Association. Left to right: Mrs Patterson [sic] (Koo-wee-rup), Lady Masson, Lady Mitchell, and Mrs. O. Hicken

(Shepparton). Inset: Miss Fitzpatrick, organising secretary of the Country 

Women's Association of New South Wales.

The Argus, March 14, 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3917825

Margaret was the eldest child of Samuel Pope Davis and his wife Margaret Calder Thompson; they had  married in 1869.  Samuel was a publican, but had previously been a jockey and won the 1864 Melbourne Cup on Lantern, owned by Hurtle Fisher. The Melbourne Cup started in 1861 and the first two races were won by Archer, ridden both times by Johnny Cutts; the 1863 race was won by Banker, ridden by Harry Chifney, whose real name was Henry Dawes, which makes Samuel only the third jockey to win the Cup. (2). 

Lantern, the winner of the 1864 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Margaret's father. 

Engraver: Robertson. Image first appeared in The Australian News for Home Reader on 

November 25, 1864. State Library of Victoria Image  IAN25/11/64/8

In December 1879 at a licensing hearing, Samuel applied a certificate authorising the issue of a Publican's Licence for a house at Rankin's-road, to be known as Station Hotel, containing eight rooms, exclusive of those required for the use of the family. He was was unsuccessful  as the building was a wooden affair, which was by no means suitable to the place, or the wants of intending customers. He was eventually successful as his Palace Hotel was erected, on the corner of Rankins and Racecourse Road, by 1882.  In 1892, Samuel was elected as a Councillor to the Borough of Kensington and Flemington. (3). He and Matilda had nine children - Margaret McAlpin (1871), Grace Matilda (1874), Beatrice Sherman (1875), Samuel Ernest (1878-1878), Samuel Albert (1880), Victor Newton (1882), Unnamed boy (died at one day old in 1883), George William (1885) and Oscar Calder (1887). (4)

Their marriage was not all smooth sailing as in July 1893 Matilda charged Samuel with assault and asked for maintenance. The Age reported on the hearing held at the Flemington Magistrate's Court  -

Matilda Davis stated that on Wednesday last her husband asked her to go to a ball with him, but the notice was too short, and she declined. This greatly annoyed him and he went by himself. On Thursday morning, after some words, the defendant rushed at her and caught her by the throat, threatening to choke her. The barman interfered and enabled her to get away. The defendant had often previously ill treated her, and she now desired separate maintenance, as she was afraid any longer to live with him. In answer to defendant, she denied being an habitual drunkard, and said that she never drank at all until driven to it by his ill treatment and neglect. She had not thrown things at him or tried to stab him. She informed the bench that her husband had an income of £1000 a year, and she asked for £2 weekly for maintenance. (5)

The barman, Alfred Hambridge, supported Matilda's evidence and the result of the hearing was the bench, after consideration, fined Davis £5, with £3 3s. costs, for the assault, and made an order against him for £2 weekly maintenance. (6)   Matilda died suddenly that same year, at the age of 43, on December 29, 1893 at the Palace Hotel, where she was sitting in the dining room, talking to her daughter Grace, when she suddenly fell back in her chair and expired before medical assistance could be procured.  Her obituary said she was very much liked by those who knew her good qualities. (7). Samuel died May 13, 1897 at the age of 50.  His estate was left to his children and the Executors advertised the Hotel for lease for a five year term in February 1898, with the income being held in Trust, as he still had young children. (8)

The Hotel Victoria, Albert Park, in 1906, Margaret's home after her

 marriage to John Smerdon.

The Australasian, September 8, 1906 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139175344

At the time of the death of her father, Margaret was 26; her sister Grace was already married, so I presume that she and her 22 year old sister, Beatrice, looked after the younger children. On September 25, 1901 Margaret married John Smerdon, in Sydney. John Smerdon was also a publican and the time of their marriage he had the licence of the Hotel Victoria in Albert Park, which he held until September 1905; he then moved to the Greensborough Hotel, then the Duke of Wellington Hotel in Flinders Street and in April 1912 took the licence of the Cricket Club Hotel on the corner of Fitzroy and Princes Street in St Kilda. They were living there when he died November 12, 1914. (9)

The Cricket Club Hotel, St Kilda, c. 1870, as it would have looked when John and Margaret Smerdon lived there. 

It was built in the 1850s and replaced in the 1920s with a three storey building. (10)

Smerdons Hotel Fitzroy Street St. Kilda.

Harold Paynting Collection, State Library of Victoria. Image  H91.40/382

The next year in 1915,  Margaret married William Kerr Paterson. His address at the time was 48 Dalgety Street in St Kilda, barely a five minute stroll from the Cricket Club Hotel.  William was born in Ballarat in 1876 and it appears that the couple adopted the surname of Kerr-Paterson, from his middle name and surname, and that is how Margaret was frequently referred to in the newspapers.  By 1917, they had moved to Talbot, where he was the manager of the London Bank (later called the E.S & A. Bank) and in January 1920 he was transferred to the Koo Wee Rup branch. (11). 

In March 1928, as we know Margaret was elected to the CWA Victoria Executive and in March 1929 the Koo Wee Rup Branch was formed and she was elected President. (12). There are very few reports of the activities of the branch in the Koo Wee Rup Sun. The paper frequently announced that it welcomed reports of activities of various groups, so it appears that the CWA may not have supplied  reports. As  a matter of interest, in May 1931, Koo Wee Rup was reported to have 32 different organisations, which as the Sun reported, seems incredulous, given the size of the population. (13).

The very first newspaper report I can find of the branch was in the Weekly Times of  May 11, 1929 -

[CWA] Centres had been formed at Beaufort, Upper Beaconsfield, Bendigo, Broadford, Cranbourne, Crib Point, Corowa, Euroa, Flinders, Kallista, Koo-wee-rup, Macedon, Monbulk, Mortlake, Myrtleford, Rushworth, Sale, Terang, and Yarra. (14)

On August 23, 1929, Mrs Kerr-Paterson convened a meeting at Tooradin to establish a branch there. (15).  The next month the Weekly Times could report on a meeting of the Koo Wee Rup CWA - 

At the monthly meeting, on August 28, a discussion took place regarding the rest room. Mrs Patterson [sic] and Mrs Hewitt waited on the hall committee and obtained the use of the hall kitchen on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 2 till 5 o'clock. Members will take charge in turn. A stove, towels and other conveniences will be in the room for the use of visitors. The 500 tournament being very successful, it was decided to hold two more during September. A fancy dress ball is to be held on October 8 to raise funds. Members will do the catering in order to save expense. Mrs Benston is secretary and Mrs Hewitt assistant secretary. (16).

One of the major projects of the CWA was establishing rest rooms for women, when they visited town. Women came in off the farms, perhaps on a market day or their shopping day and they had  no toilet facilities and nowhere to feed their babies, so these rest rooms were a necessity. Of the women mentioned in the report, above, Mrs Hewitt was Vera Hewitt, the wife of Koo Wee Rup Doctor, Alan Hewitt and the mother of Dr Ian Hewitt, who between then served Koo Wee Rup from 1925 until 1995. Mrs Benston is Elizabeth Gray Benston, the wife of Peter, a farmer of Koo Wee Rup. (17)

In September some members of the Koo Wee Rup branch participated in the CWA Handicrafts Exhibition at the Melbourne Town Hall and in November 1929 the Weekly Times reported again on the branch - 

the CWA ball which was organised by members of the branch was a great success, and the proceeds will add considerably to the funds. On October 30 there were 22 members present at the meeting and all greatly appreciated the demonstrations on rug making and soft toys given by Mrs Colles and Miss McLean, of Upper Beaconsfield. Several new members were enrolled and more are expected shortly. The annual meeting was arranged for Thursday, November 14. Mrs C. Benston is the secretary. (18)

The first report of the CWA in the Koo Wee Rup Sun which I could find was in February 1930 when they noted that the branch had donated  a sack of potatoes and a case of groceries to the associations' holiday home at Black Rock. The next month, Mrs Kerr-Paterson chaired the meeting to establish a new branch at Clyde and in July, the CWA decided give prizes for the best garden and look at securing land for a 9-hole golf course and croquet lawn. (19)

Koo Wee Rup CWA

Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 10, 1930. p. 4

The most informative report of the activities of the  CWA was in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in August 1930 -

There was a large attendance of the Kooweerup branch of the Country Women's Association on Wednesday afternoon, the 30th ult.,held in the local Memorial Hall. Many members of other branches were present. Mrs W.K. Paterson presided. The hall was beautifully decorated with gum tips, heath and blue irises. Various games and competitions were held and created great merriment. Community singing was also indulged in, Mrs F. Potts rendering invaluable service by presiding at the piano. Miss Isobel Mills excellently gave two pianoforte solos.

Mrs Murray Waller, organising secretary, delivered a very educational lecture on the aims and objects of the association.  She emphasised that the organisation was non-political and 'non-sectarian'; that the chief purpose in view was to teach various handicraft which would be of service in their daily life. From the teaching imparted, many members have been able to take up various occupations, and she quoted many instances where success had been achieved. The association had done a lot of good samaritan work, but they must not look upon the organisation as a benevolent society.

Mrs Hardy  of "Glen Leith," Dalmore, presented Mrs Waller with  a magnificent bunch of violets. A dainty afternoon tea was provided by members.

Mrs Paterson in moving  a vote of thanks to Mrs Waller, referred to the happiness which suffused members at seeing so many present from other branches. The principal idea of the association was to learn something with the view of imparting it to others. Mrs G. Stevens, in seconding the motion, referred to the pleasure she felt at hearing Mrs Waller. She had on other occasions heard her lecture, and had derived much help and profit from same. Mrs J. Mickle, a former resident of Kooweerup, congratulated the local branch on the good work which it was carrying out.

Mrs Paterson responded, and alluded to the pleasure at seeing Mrs Mickle and others from distant parts present.  The success of the gathering, she said, was due to the secretary and all members, who worked unitedly together.  This afternoon (Thursday) an address on horticulture will be delivered at the meeting of the branch in the Memorial Hall, and a welcome is extended to everybody to attend. (20)

Other Koo Wee Rup CWA activities in 1930 and early 1931 included an upholstery demonstration and a raffia work demonstration; they also held a stall to assist the Deaf and Dumb Institution and there was this well-attended meeting in August 1930 when -

 A very enjoyable social afternoon was held by the Kooweerup branch of the Country Women's Association last Wednesday, in the Memorial Hall, Kooweerup. The hall was decorated in charming fashion with wattle, gum, violets and iris. The president, Mrs K. Paterson, and members of the committee welcomed 150 guests, including visitors from other country branches. The afternoon opened with community singing, and later the secretary of the C.W.A., Mrs. M. Waller, gave an address on the work of the association in all parts of the world. A delightful programme of games and competitions had been arranged. (21). 

On February 14, 1931, the ever busy, Mrs Kerr-Paterson attended the inaugural meeting of the Garfield Branch of the CWA. (22)

Prominent CWA members, Margaret Kerr-Paterson is standing second from left.

Prominent members of the Country Women's Association of Victoria, who attended

the exhibition and annual meeting recently. (Back row left to right)— Mesdames Black (Tarwin), Kerr-Paterson (Koo-wee-rup), Murray Black ( Tarwin), R. Balmer (Bendigo), K. Amos (Manangatang), and Webb (Wangaratta)

(Front row)— Mrs O Hicken (Shepparton). and Mrs R. G. Beggs (Beaufort)

Weekly Times, May 2, 1931 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223333619

Then in the September 1931, the Kerr-Patersons left Koo Wee Rup for Dandenong, where William became an Estate Agent. (23). There were three farewell presentations. The first one, on September 9,  was hosted by the Ladies Guild at the Anglican Church. The Vicar, Reverend  Dodd, referred in excellent terms of the work Mrs Paterson had performed for the church. Mrs Dodd then presented Margaret with a suede motor car cushion, with initials worked thereon. (24).

On September 28, there was a community function at the Memorial Hall where the Kerr-Patersons were the special guests. The first presentation was from  Mr A. Eason, who on behalf  of the Bank employees presented William with an attache case and Margaret with a set of useful ornaments. Then Dr A. Hewitt, on behalf of the townspeople, euologised the guests for the manner in which they had interested themselves in practically every public movement. Cr G. Bowden, on behalf of the district farmers, paid a tribute to the sympathy and help which they had always received  from the guests....Mr. M. Bennett, M.L.A., said they were extremely sorry to lose such public-spirited citizens....they had been to the fore in all public functions and had endeavoured to advance the interests of the town and district. Mr Bennett presented William with a handsome writing desk, also a wallet of notes and Margaret was given a beautiful wristlet watch. (25)

A month later, on October 28, another function was held, this time by the Koo Wee Rup CWA. The new President, Mrs D. McCulloch, in eulogistical terms referred to the work performed by Mrs Paterson, and on behalf of the members presented her with an electric kettle. The  Cardinia CWA branch gave her an oak butter dish. (26). Mrs McCulloch, was Marion Minnie McCulloch, wife of David of Harewood Mains, Dalmore.  

The only reference in the newspapers to the Koo Wee Rup CWA after the reports of the departure of Margaret Kerr-Paterson was from September 1932, when members attended the third birthday party of the Tooradin CWA (27)  The branch may have continued, but I suspect that Margaret was the driving force the branch and it closed down not long after she left.  As we know, there were 32 organisations in Koo Wee Rup at the time, so the women had many other options for serving the community. However, on November 9, 1944, the Koo Wee Rup CWA was reformed and I have written about the first  meeting of this newly established group, here.

Margaret Kerr-Paterson continued her community service  in Dandenong - she was the inaugural President of the Dandenong CWA, which was formed in May 1933 and Convenor of the Women’s Voluntary National Register, who provided help for soldiers in camp or those enlisting at Dandenong,as well as aid to refugees in Europe (28). She was also involved with the Dandenong Red Cross Auxiliary, the Dandenong Hospital Appeal committee and was the Inaugural President of the Dandenong Public Hospital Auxiliary. The Dandenong Hospital opened in April 1942. (29)  

In recognition of the long connection with the Country Women's Association, Margaret was awarded Life membership in 1946. This is part of the Dandenong Journal report of the occasion- 

On Tuesday afternoon, December 10th, a very enjoyable time was spent in the Assembly Room when Mrs. Kerr-Paterson was the guest of members of different branches of the Country Women’s Association. Mrs. W Rogers, Group president of West Gippsland, received Mrs. Paterson, and as she entered the room members sang "For She’s A Jolly Good Fellow.” In welcoming the guest of honor Mrs. Rogers made her a presentation of a very lovely basket of pink roses, carnations and blue delphinium, and in a most sincere speech, spoke of the high esteem in which she is held,  and the great love all have for her. She then presented Mrs. Paterson with a life membership badge of the Association and in pinning it to her coat expressed the hope that she would wear it for many years to come. With it went the love and good wishes of members.

On recovering from her surprise, Mrs. Paterson thanked those members who had made the presentation possible and said that it was one of the proudest and happiest moments of her life. Continuing in reminiscent vein she referred to the beginning of the C.W.A. in Victoria, when she became the first Group president in Gippsland and travelled as far afield as Sale. She spoke of the high ideals of the C.W.A. and urged members to continue to work for the advancement of those ideals which aim to help and better the conditions of the country women. (30)

Margaret died on August 26, 1954, aged 83 and William died on April 7, 1961, aged 85. Margaret's obituary described her as a woman of fine character and  a sterling citizen and we can truly say that her efforts with the Country Women's Association made a positive and practical effect on the lives of many rural women. (31) [I need to add that even though this post was really about Margaret and the CWA, I was just amazed and excited to find that her father had won the Melbourne Cup; it was such a surprise discovery]

Trove list - I have created a list of articles connected to the Koo Wee Rup CWA and the life of Margaret Kerr-Paterson (nee Davis), access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Report of formation - The Argus, March 14, 1928, see here and here; The Age, March 15, 1928, see here.
(2) https://www.races.com.au/melbourne-cup/melbourne-cup-history/past-winners/1861-to-1870-melbourne-cup/ ; The Herald, September 9, 1909, see here.

(3) Application for Hotel licence - The Age, November 17, 1879, see here; Application refused  - The Herald, December 15, 1879, see here;  First mention of Palace Hotel I can find - Essendon and Flemington Chronicle, September 22, 1882, see here; Election to Council - Essendon Gazette, September 1, 1892, see here.

(4) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and marriages.

(5) The Age, July 26, 1893, see here.

(6) Ibid

(7) Obituary - Essendon and Flemington Chronicle, January 5, 1894, see here;

(8) Short obituary - The Argus, May 15, 1897, see here. Will and Probate papers at Public Records Office of Victoria;  Hotel advertised for lease - The Argus, February 12, 1898, see here.

(9) Marriage notice - The Leader, October 5, 1901, see here; Hotel licences - see various  newspaper notices  in my Trove list, here ; Death notice - The Argus, November 14, 1914, see here.

(10) A history of the Hotel can be found here https://skhs.org.au/SKHShotels/Elephant.htm

(11) William's parents were John Paterson and Jane McConnochie. Addresses in St Kilda and Talbot - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry;  The Argus, January 27, 1920 see here.

(12) Date of the establishment of the Koo Wee Rup branch - Twenty-one years : a brief history of the  Association since it was formed in 1928, published by the Country Women's Association of Victoria in 1949. Available on-line at the State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/131587

(13) Koo Wee Rup Sun,  May 7 1931 p. 4

(14) Weekly Times, May 11, 1929, see here.

(15) Weekly Times, August 31, 1929, see here.

(16) Weekly Times, September 14, 1929, see here.

(17) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry; The Hewitts   https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/08/medical-matters-at-koo-wee-rup.html

(18) The Argus, September 21, 1929, see here;  Weekly Times, November 23, 1929, see here.

(19) Koo Wee Rup Sun, February 13, 1930 p. 4; Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 10, 1930. p. 4

(20) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 7, 1930 p. 2

(21) See my Trove list, here,  for activities. Report of meeting is from The Age August 1, 1930, see here.

(22) I have written about the establishment of the Garfield CWA here   https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2023/09/garfield-country-womens-association.html

(23) Occupation from Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.

(24) Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 17, 1931 p. 1.

(25) Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 1, 1931 p. 1.

(26) Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 5, 1931 p. 1.

(27) Weekly Times, September 3, 1932, see here. There is nothing on Trove and I checked the Koo Wee Rup Suns (which are not on Trove)  from 1931, 1932,1933 and 1934 and could not find anything.

(28) The Age, May 26, 1933, see here; Dandenong Journal, June 5, 1940, see here;  Dandenong Journal, June 26, 1940, see here.

(29) Dandenong Journal, September 20, 1939, see here; Dandenong Journal, November 30, 1938, see here; Dandenong Journal, July 10 1940, see here

(30) Dandenong Journal, December 18, 1946, see here.

(30) Obituary - Dandenong Journal, September 1, 1954, see here; Margaret and William were both cremated at Springvale Crematorium.

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.

Weekly Times August 22, 1945 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226563046

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.)

Weekly Times, March 5, 1952 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/224017025

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.

Weekly Times, June 18, 1952 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/224019418

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 here; Weekly 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.

Inaugural meeting of the Koo-Wee-Rup branch of the Country Women’s Association in 1944

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of November 9, 1944 reported on the inaugural meeting of the Koo Wee Rup branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA). I have transcribed the article and researched and added some biographical information on everyone mentioned in the article. [Update September 2023 -  I have since discovered that there was an earlier CWA in Koo Wee Rup, established in March 1929, with Mrs Margaret Kerr-Paterson as the President. I have written about this here.]

On Wednesday afternoon, 25th ult. [October 25 1944] a most important and pleasing event took place in the Kooweerup Memorial Hall, viz the inaugural meeting of the local branch of the Country Women’s Association. Mesdames Nicholson, Keighery, Mortimer, Riggall and Harder transformed the hall into a delightful meeting place. The stage end was banked with shrubs and flowers and the eastern end was set with tables to hold a delicious afternoon tea provided by Mrs H. Bourke and Mrs C. Einsiedel. 

Cr Cochrane, as deputy for the Shire President, in a few well chosen words assured the convenors of the personal interest of the councillors in the formation of a local branch and welcomed and introduced the official party. Mrs Sewell, M.A., representing headquarters, was the speaker for the afternoon and seldom have the ladies of Kooweerup listened to a more able speaker who clearly and concisely and interestingly covered the whole of the functions and aims of the association. As a result 30 members were later enrolled. Miss Kent, [West Gippsland] Group President and Mrs Ellwood, Secretary installed the following office bearers. President , Mrs E. Glasscock; vice presidents Mesdames H. Bourke and Nicholson; secretary, Mrs A Mortimer; treasurer, Mrs R. Levey; committee Mesdames C. Einsedel, C. Keighery, A. Hewitt, E. Holley, W. Levey and W. Henry. 

On taking the chair Mrs Glasscock assured those present that she fully realized the importance of the office she had been elected to. After hearing Mrs Sewell’s account of the activities a branch can undertake she also realized the great importance a branch is to a district. She congratulated Mrs Nicholson and Mrs Bourke for the way they had organised the meeting. Afternoon tea was then partaken of and the function closed with the President passing a vote of thanks to the visiting ladies for their attendance, also the local ladies who had supported the effort. 

As is usual in newspaper reports of this time first names are rarely used, you only get the first initial of the person and in the case of women, they don’t even get the initial of their own first name, it is the initial of their husband’s first name. I have done some research in the Electoral rolls, old newspapers and indexes to marriages to give these women a name (and I believe the names are all correct) so, below, is an alphabetical list of all the people mentioned in the article. 

Bourke, Aileen (nee Donoghue). Wife of Hugh Bourke, grazier, of Monomeith.

Cochrane, Leslie James. Cr Cochrane was a Shire of Cranbourne Councillor from 1930 to 1964 and Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1950 to 1970. Cochrane Park is named after him.

Einsiedel, Agnes Constance (nee Grant). Wife of Percival Gustav Claude Einsiedel, grazier, of Monomeith.

Ellwood, Margaret Jean (nee Mason). Secretary of the West Gippsland Group and a member of the Harkaway Branch. This is Margaret Ellwood, wife of Allan, who was the Manager of the Boys Home (Melrose Training Farm for Boys) at Harkaway.

Glasscock, Phyllis (nee Witty). Wife of Eric Gordon Glasscock, grazier, of Monomeith.

Harder, Alma Evelyn (nee Sevior). Wife of Dudley Grenfell Harder, Bank official, of Sybella Avenue.

Henry, Alma Constance (nee Sturley). Wife of William Henry, Bank Manager E. S. & A. Bank at Koo-Wee-Rup.

Hewitt, Vera Wakefield (nee Mann) Wife of Dr Alan Hewitt of Rossiter Road.

Holley, Constance Mary (nee Feild). Wife Edward John Holley, Theatre Manager, of Koo-Wee-Rup.

Keighery, Eva Emily Adeline (nee Misson). Wife of Christopher Keighery, saddler, of Rossiter Road.

Kent, Kathleen Valetta. This is Kathleen Kent of Wilson Street, Berwick. She was elected as President of the West Gippsland Group on March 16, 1944 at the half yearly group conference held at Dandenong, attended by nearly 100 delegates, according to the report in the Dandenong Journal. Kathleen belonged to the Berwick branch, she was the granddaughter of William Wilson, who established the Berwick quarry in 1859 (now Wilson Botanic Park)

Levey, Marie Alice (nee Jackson). Wife of Wilfred Levey, farmer, of Manks Road.

Levey, Mollie Enid (nee Humphries). Wife of Raymond Wallace Levey, farmer, of Manks Road.

Mortimer, Adele (nee Lamb). Wife of Afton Lindsay James Mortimer, hairdresser, of Rossiter Road.

Nicholson, Jane Stewart (nee McDougall). Wife of Norman Nicholson, farmer, of Bayles.

Riggall, Edna Muriel (nee Flack). Wife of Horton Riggall, surveyor, of Gardner Street, later lived in Charles Street. They were married in 1932 and the wedding was reported in Table Talk  June 23, 1932, a newspaper that reported on popular culture - theatre, movies, sport and the activities of the ‘social set’. Mrs Riggall is pictured, left.

Sewell, Alice Maud (nee Cunning). Wife of Sir Sidney Sewell, a Melbourne surgeon noted for his research into tuberculosis. The Sewells lived at 'Roads End', Berwick. Lady Sewell went to Melbourne University where she obtained  a Master of Arts in 1906. She founded the Lyceum Club in 1912 with Ethel Osborne, a club for women who had graduated from University or had achievements in their own right.

Lady Sewell is pictured above with the Duchess of Gloucester and Mrs McDonald.

The Argus December 13, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12158410

Country Women's Association - Koo-Wee-Rup Branch 1963

This is the booklet produced by the Koo-Wee-Rup Branch of the Country Women's Association for 1963.

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