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)
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)
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.
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.
(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
(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.
