The colour negative appears to be an official photo arranged by the City of Ringwood Council.Gerald Smart was mayor in 1973/74 and 1976/77 for the City of Ringwood. He also served as a Councillor from 1967/68 until 1981/82. Married Sandra, who also served as Mayoress for Cr Pat Palmer. Gerald was instrumental in getting the Wyrenna-based local radio station, ECB-FM, off the ground. Other information:- SMART, Gerald Richard George 1967-73, Mayor 1973-74, Chartered Engineer. Melbourne University, R.M.I.T., Diploma of Radio Engineering. Son of Walter and Doris Smart. Married with one son. Cricket, tennis, golf, spearfishing, chess, table tennis, photography (8mm, 35mm, stills, music.) Theatre - Melbourne University, Emerald Hill Repertory Company. Radio - Music session on 3XY. Television - 'Consider Your Verdict', character parts. President Ringwood Arts and Crafts Society Honorary Secretary of Television Society of Australia Patron, Ringwood Swimming and Life Saving Club President Ringwood District Scouting Association Executive Committee Member of Municipal Association of Victoria Formed ECB-FM +Additional Keywords: Refer to the "Mayor" envelope, registration no. 3932, for further information.

Documents and invitations to Mr. C. Painter; 1 Envelope addressed to Mr. C. Painter 1960; 2 Envelope addressed to Mr. C. Painter 1961; 3 Invitation to Mr. and Mrs. C. Painter to a Ball in Ringwood Town Hall on 15th. June 1956 from the Mayor and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. B J. Hubbard); 4 Invitation to a Complimentary Return Ball on 24th. July 1956; 5 Letter detailing the Complimentary Ball +Additional Keywords: Painter, Mr C. Painter, Mrs. Hubbard, Mr. B.J.(Mayor)

Printed below photograph, "Opening St. Francis de Salle - 1958". Written on backing sheet, "Archbishop Simmonds opens East Ringwood School, St. Frances de Salle. See 'Mail' 27th Nov. 1958 for full report and 4th Dec. 'Mail' for names in photo."

Two Photograps of Mayor of Ringwood, Cr. Horman, addressing a school gathering - 1961. Pictures include from left - Mr Veitch, Principal of Ringwood Technical School, Mr Dwerryhouse, Town Clerk, and Mayoress, Mrs Horman.Written on back of photograph 21188B: "Tecnical School R'wood 1961 Mayor Cr Horman" "Left to Right Mr Veitch Mr Dwerryhouse Mayoress Mayor Town Clerk Mrs Horman."

Letter re Aged Care Home - 1961; Correspondence re Charity Ball - 1961; Clubrooms opened 1964 Greenwood Park; Photograph of opening of Clubrooms; Ringwood East Clubrooms opened 1968; Newspaper clipping, Packet includes: . Letter from Council calling for Public Meeting to consider assistance to aged citizens. . Letters from Council re Ringwood Mayor's Charity Ball. . Programme for Official Opening of Elderly Citizens Cubrooms at Greenwood Park, 2nd May 1964. . Photograph of Opening of Elderly Citizens Clubrooms 1964. Article in "Mail" dated 14 May, 1964. Photograph shows Mayoress Mrs P Vergers and Mr F Dwerryhouse, Town Clerk. . Newspaper clippings re Elderly Citizens.

Gwenneth Horman was Lady Mayoress of Ringwood when her husband was Mayor and was involved in many local oganisations4 pages of typed notes and 4 hand written by Richard Carter as his tribute to Gwenneth Horman at her funeral on 19 November 2013 giving her life achievements. 2 computer copies of family death notices and a Memorial card of the Order of Service. 5 pages of memories of Ringwood East.

Folder with two A4 invitations to unveiling ceremony and morning tea at Maroondah City Council Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood, Victoria, Tuesday 5 June, 2007, showing logos of Maroondah Council and Ringwood Historical Society, co-organisers. Folder also includes Mayoress' Luncheon inviation on 23 July, 2007, at Karralyka Centre.

Typed below photograph, "3. Speeches at official opening - Mrs. Helen Austin, Lady Violet Brooks, Mrs. B. Hubbard, Mayoress, Cr. Ben Hubbard, Mayor, Mr. Roy Wilkins, Dr. B. Meredith, Mrs. E.V. Pullin extreme right edge".

Written on backing sheet, 'Ron Mason's coach bringing Mayor Morris and Mayoress to Back to Ringwood at Civic Centre, 10.74'.

Written on backing sheet, 'Hugh Anderson with Mayoress Mrs. L. Morris and Mrs. Hall wife of Town Clerk at launching of Ringwood's History at Civic Centre 22.10.74.'

Written on back of photograph, "Mrs. Lavis as Mayoress, Cr. Lavis".

Catalogue card reads, 'Declaration City 1960. State Governor Sir Dallas Brooks and Lady Brooks (left-hand side). Town Clerk F. Dwerryhouse 3rd from left. Mayoress Mrs. Lavis presenting bouquet to Lady Brooks. Mayor Albert Lavis wearing glasses, Mrs. Dwerryhouse'.

Catalogue card reads, 'Declaration city, 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall. Sir Dallas Brooks shaking hands with Mayoress Mrs. Lavis. Town Clerk Fred Dwerryhouse, Mrs. Dwerryhouse. Lady Brooks behind Sir Dallas.'

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Ringwood C.W.A. Ball - 1953. Left to Right: Mrs. Hart Allen (Group President), Mrs. Spittle (C.W.A. Past State President), Mrs. Greenshields (Past Group President), Mrs. Corr (Mayoress), Mrs. Giles (President Ringwood CWA), Mrs. Mai (Secretary). Written on back of photograph, "Mail 6/8/1953".

Catalogue card reads, 'Mr. and Mrs. P. Vergers, Mayor and Mayoress at Heathmont Fair - 25th January 1958'.

This pair of brass binoculars was presented to Tom Pearce in recognition of his heroic efforts at the wrecking of the Loch Ard and saving Eva Carmichael. They were presented to him by the Lady Mayoress of Sydney on 27th July 1878 on behalf of the colonists of New South Wales "In recognition of his gallant conduct on the occasion of the wreck of the Loch Ard". Tom (Thomas) Pearce was born in Ireland in 1859 and arrived in Melbourne two years later; he considered himself as Australian. Before sailing on the Loch Ard he had been at sea for three years as an apprentice sailor and had already experienced one shipwreck. Tom was on the deck of the Loch Ard with Captain Gibb throughout the night of May 31st 1878. It was mistakenly thought they were 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Cape Otway. By 2:00 am on June 1st, the wind was blowing "pretty fresh" but a thick haze remained and, when it eventually cleared, the land was so close the unsuccessful battle to save the Loch Ard began. After the ship struck Mutton Bird Island Tom and five others were sent to the lifeboats. Conditions were very dangerous as waves broke over the decks and they were all washed away. Tom found himself in the stormy waters and under a lifeboat, which had also been washed into the sea. After being swept into the gorge Tom left the boat and swam into shore; he was alone. Eva Carmichael, a passenger on the ship, had been snatched from her bed just before dawn and into the chaos, confusion and terror of the shipwreck, with rigging and rocks raining down. Thrown into the sea, she afterwards said: "God taught me to swim in my distressful plight, for I never swam before". Clinging to a spar, she was swept into the gorge and saw Tom Pearce walking along the beach. Upon hearing the cries of Eva, Tom swam out and with great difficulty brought her to the shore and placed her safely in a cave where he made a bed of grass and shrubs and gave her brandy to revive her. She sank into exhausted unconsciousness. Tom then scrambled to the top of the high cliff and after walking for some time he stumbled upon workers from Glenample Homestead. They rode back to the homestead for help but Tom insisted on returning to Eva. When Eva awoke she found herself alone, "cold, weak and terrified with the wild waves before me, and caves and cliffs around me" and upon hearing strange noises, which she imagined to be made by the local indigenous people, she hid. The noises were made by the rescue party from Glenample Homestead. After eventually discovering Eva they hauled her up the cliff in the darkness of night, “a work of great difficulty and danger” and took her to Glenample. Sadly, Tom and Eva were the only survivors of the 54 people on board the Loch Ard. Tom’s rewards for his bravery included the Gold Medal of the Humane Society, a gold watch and £1000 from the Victorian Government, a set of nautical instruments, (which included the binoculars) from the people of Sydney and £60 from the people of Warrnambool. He was also presented with a Bible by a “Friend of the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria, Protestant Hall Melbourne” in August 1878. Coleman Jacobs composed the music "The Young Hero Schottische" and dedicated it, by permission, to Mr Thomas R. (Tom) Pearce. The sheet music was published in 1878 by Mr Roberts, professor of dancing and was on sale for 3/- (3 shillings) in aid of the "Loch Ard" fund. Tom Pearce went on to join the Loch Sunart on her return to England, only to be wrecked again off the Irish coast in January 1879. Tom left the Loch Line in 1883 and the following year married Edith Gurney Strasenbergh, the sister of his friend Robert who had died on the Loch Ard. They had three children, unfortunately, two of the male children were to die at sea. In 1895 Tom obtained his first command as Master of The Larne, a vessel with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. He remained with the company until he died in Southampton, England, on 14th December 1908. Tom Pearce never saw Eva Carmichael after he had fare welled her some 30 years before. Eveline Victoria Berta Carmichael was born in 1859 in Mountrath, Queens County, Ireland. After recovering from her ordeal in August 1878 Eva returned to Ireland and in 1884 married Thomas Achilles Townshend, a Civil Engineer. They had three sons, all of whom had successful military careers, and when Eva’s death notice appeared in the Melbourne Argus It read. "Townshend on 8th April 1934 aged 74 at her residence in Bedford, England, Evaline Victoria, widow of the late Thomas Archilles Townshend, C.E. of Co. Cork, Ireland. Mrs Townshend was the Eva Carmichael who, with the late Tom Pearce, were the only two survivors of the ship Loch Ard, which was wrecked near Port Campbell on June 1st 1878." The binoculars are significant for their association with the wreck of the Loch Ard and the only two surviving members of that wreck Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from Loch Ard is significant for being one of the largest. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The assemblage of items from the wreck is of historical significance in that they are associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Pair of brass marine binoculars in a wooden box On the left hand eye piece, on the underside, is an engraved inscription and another engraved word. On the right hand eye piece there is another small inscription and on the underside there is a small green mark. The binoculars have a pattern of embossed tiny circles on the outside. Some of the patterning is very shiny due to wear and rubbing, there is a brass ring on the underside of the binoculars for the attachment of a lanyard. The wooden box has a hinged lid and on the front of the box in the centre is a lock, and at either end are two hooks and eyes. The box is split across the top for about 3/4 of the length. Marking on the left underside reads, 'Presented on behalf of the Colonists of New South Wales By the Mayoress of Sydney on 27th. July 1878 to Mr Thomas B Pearce. In recognition of his gallant conduct on the occasion of the wreck of the "Loch Ard"'. Underneath this inscription is engraved 'Sydney'. On the other eye piece is engraved what looks like 'Mac Donnell & Co' binoculars, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, loch ard shipwreck, tom pearce, thomas r pearce, eva carmichael, mutton bird island, loch ard survivor, loch ard hero, coleman jacobs, the young hero schottische, photograph of tom pearce, glenample homestead

This file contains original photographs of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day Memorial Civic Services from years 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986. Some of the photos identify location as Caulfield Park. Other photos include persons of interest i.e. Mayor and Mayoress of Caulfield, Members of Parliament and also RSL Presidents.caulfield park, caulfield rsl, mayor, mayoress, town clerk, ford dorothy, patience geoffrey, rudzki brian, campbell jack, campbell a. j., shipton roger, tanner ted, moore hedley, calder graeme, peters austin, walters ron, walters ronald, booth john, rudzki judith, patience jean, loftus elizabeth, hawson robert, conard geoffrey, anzac day, remembrance day, flagpole, wreaths

Ringwood Mail newspaper article clipped from pages 9 and 14, 23 December, 1958.Norwood's First Speech Night FOR its first Annual Speech Night Norwood High School put on a remarkably smooth and entertaining performance. It even broke new ground for these occasions by staging a junior Mannequin Parade. In the appreciative audience were the Mayor and Mayoress of Ringwood (Cr. and Mrs. R. 0. Spencer), Cr.and Mrs. Peter Vergers, Cr.and Mrs. Doug Baxter, Cr.and Mrs. Ben Hubbard, and Mr. George Ormandy (Head Master of Ringwood High School) and Mrs. Ormandy. After the singing of the Norwood High School Song,'Fidelis', the Mayor, as Chairman, gave high praise to the school for its 'mighty effort on its first Speech Night.' It was an historic night, he said, an event which would live in the minds of the boys and girls of the school for as long as they lived. Education was a live issue today, the Mayor said, and it was as well to reflect on what the teaching staff of a school was asked to do. They were asked to teach the children how to play their part in life, to make decent men and women of them. And if the children were a future disappointment to their parents the Head Master and the staff could not be blamed. On behalf of the Council and citizens of Ringwood, the Mayor offered congratulations and good wishes for a happy Christmas. In his report the Head Master (Mr. J. A. Gibson, B.A.) said the school colours of purple and gold had been appropriately chosen because of the golden wattle and purple sarsaparilla which rioted through the district. The badge design was a transition of Nowood to Northward, a symbolic representation of the magnetic compass which formed the central motif of the badge. The fact that the compass is used by travellers as a reliable guide gave the school the motto 'Fidelis' which combined the ideas of faithfulness trustworthiness and dependability. The word was easy to remember and to say, and its meaning set a worthy ideal which the boys and girls of the school could strive to attain. For House names native words had been chosen and they were associated with features of the district. The names Kalinda, Maroondah, Mullum and Yarra had already acquired a special significance for everyone associated -with the school. School traditions were also being established, the report went on, by the holding of annual swimming and athletic meetings and the awarding of prizes, and the school had been helped here by the generosity of certain good people of the community who had presented trophies. In the field of inter-house activities the Couche family had presented to the school the Couche Cup for Swimming Contests, and the Warrandyte cup for aggregate points earned in all sports; Mr. Avison had presented the Norwood Cup. for Athletics Contests, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Godbehear the Rosebank Shield for award to the House gaining the highest aggregate score each year. Members of the Mackinlay family had perpetuated the name of the early owner of the property on which the school is built by donating a sum of money, the interest of which would provide the William and Elizabeth Mackinlay Prize each year for the Dux of Norwood High School. ATHLETIC SUCCESS The gross enrolment of 117, included 52 boys and 65 girls, who were divided into three forms of approx equal ability. The curriculum had been broadened to include excursions to the Art Gallery and Museum, to Orchestral concerts, and trips to Warrandyte, the Maroondah Dam and Healesville Wild Life Sanctuary. The school had taken part in inter-school sports contests during the year and came first in their section of the Swimming Contests held at Olympic Pool, also gaining second place at the Athletic Meeting at Olympic Park late in the year. A Social Service League had been formed in the school and had raised £36/7/3. This had been distributed to the Anti-Cancer Campaign, the Lord Mayor's Hospital Appeal, and Yooralla Crippled Children's Appeal. A Parents and Citizens Association had also been formed which had already raised more than £90 towards school funds. Mr. Gibson expressed the school's appreciation to the Head Master, staff and pupils of Boronia High School where Norwood pupils had been guests, and hoped that Norwood would be able to look after Mitcham High School as well in the coming year. After an informative explanation of the 'Importance and Responsibilities of a High School Advisory Council given by Inspector of Schools, Mr. H. W. Hopkins, B.A., the big moment of the evening arrived—the presentation of prizes and certificates by the Hon. J. W. Manson, MLA. Mr. Manson said the purpose of a school was twofold. It was to teach the children to fend for themselves and to live with one another. He congratulated Norwood High on its good start for the year and also those who didn't win prizes because, he said, they had learnt the most important lesson of all — not to win but to keep on trying. Second half of the program was purely entertainment. The School Drama Club presented a Christmas Nativity tableau and an adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'Christmas Carol' with considerable talent. The unique Dress Parade, conducted on the usual professional lines with a running commentary, was both amusing in its sophistication and delightful for the youthful charm of the mannequins and the excellence of the garments displayed. Attractive winter and summer school uniforms were displayed by boys and girls and featured the purple and gold colouring of the school. The girls' summer uniforms were fresh and cool looking with narrow lavender and white stripes. Gold Cesarine sports frocks were distinguished by a purple cord sash. Garments were made by girls in the Needlework Classes and reflected the greatest credit on both pupils and teachers. Cooking aprons, skirts, frocks and knitted sweaters and cardigans showed a wide variety and charm and the school uniforms were practical and smart. There was a bracket of rollicking folk dancing and a Making Music Interlude in which a group of boys and girls, in full hillbilly rig put on a turn with home-made instruments, penny whistles and their own fresh young voices. Teamwork was very good and the whole thing most amusing. Under the direction of Mr.J. A. Collins, the School choir sang delightfully; the traditional 'Greensleeves' and 'Gaudeums Igitur' being particularly effective. PRESENTATION PRIZES FORM 1A PASS CERTIFICATES — Margaret Forder, Noala Fullarton,Karen Gill, Jeanette Hamilton, Maureen Ing, Phyllis Kellar, Marie Knee, Norma Leslie, Mary Mackay, Valerie Quaife, Beverley Rimmer, Elizabeth Stubbs, Heather Trout, Gail Waugh, Brigitte Wieneroider, Jacqueline Wilson, Jeffrey Barnes, Stuart Dickson, Donald Duff, Brian Fitzgrald, Patrick Ford, Ian .Holt, Robert Jenkins, Allan Meyland, Ross Perkins, David Pullen, Denis Wise, John Wright. HONOUR CERTIFICATES; Lois Dewar, 89; Pauline Harmer 86.9, Brian Horswell 87.2. PASS CERTIFICATE and MOST IMPROVED: Willy Hoogstraat. HONOUR CERTIFICATE and DUX: Anne Luscombe, 94.9. FORM IB PASS CERTIFICATES: Faye Alsop, Helen Ashton, Joan Bedford, Carole Bonnett, Hazle Collins, Eileen Gunn, Gloria Lander, Meryn Longmire, Dianne Mclntyre, Geraldine McWilliam, Leslie Mahoney, Dawn Marley-, Judith Miller, Ann Morgan, Lucia Pruis, Dianne Whitehead, Jeffrey Aus, Peter Buckthorpe, Donald Falkingham, Brian Girvan, Nicholas Lobb, Graham Prime, Keith Purdie, Ronald Ryan, Colin Standfield, Kerry Stuart, Michael Toppin, Ian Weist, Terrence West, James Wilson. HONOLTR CERTIFICATES: Anne Couche 85.2; Susan Rule, 93.1; Dianne Thompson 92.1. PASS CERTIFICATE and MOST IMPROVED: Anne Bottomley. HONOUR CERTIFICATE and DUX: Arno Haemmerlea. FORM 1C PASS CERTIFICATES: Caroline Andrew, Ann Blower, Dianne Brown, Glenda Farrall, Judith Gibson, Jane Godbehear, Deidre Harding, Helen Morris, Margaret Patterson, Beverley Vergers, Heike Wenzel, Naomi Willshire. Beverley Wilson, Linda Woolan, Geoffrey David, Rowan Don, Timothy Donovan, Anthony Johnston, Michael Lavey, Frank Noble, Michael Parks, Graham Rogers, Gordon Stark, Angus Stark, David Williams. HONOUR, CERTIFICATES: Jennifer Coombs 87.1; Janice Cooke, 85.3; Merlyn Robertson 89.4; Richard Bell, 88.5; Peter Van Den Heuvel, 92.9; John Kerr, 89.3. PASS CERTIFICATE and MOST IMPROVED: Phillip Brown. HONOUR CERTTFICATE and DUX; Helena Lobb. ART PRIZE: Merlyn Robertson, 1C. NEEDLEWORK PRIZE: Judith Gibson, 1C. WILLIAM and ELIZABETH MACKINLAY PRIZE for Dux of the School: Anne Luscombe, 34.8. ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS. Norma Leslie (Mullum) under 13, girls. Dianne Whitehead (Yarra), 13 yrs and over girls, Don Falkingham (Kalinda), under 13, yrs, boys, Denis Wise (Maroondah), 13 years and over. HOUSE AWARDS Couche Cup for House Swimming Competition: Maroondah. Norwood Cup for House Athletics; Mullum. Warrandyte Cup for House Sport: Yarra. Rosebank Shield, for total House Points scored during year: Mullum.

A.T. Miles was a Mayor of Ringwood in 1924Buff coloured card with the Borough of Ringwood logo

Mr. J. McCaskill was a Mayor of Ringwood. Cream coloured card with the City of Ringwood logo, blue writing, and small pencil hand written note "unable to attend".

Mrs. E Pullin MBE was the President of The Ringwood Research Group for many years and was associated with many groups in the area hence she was well known by successive Mayors and Mayoresses.1. White bifold Invitation to Mrs. E. Pullin to attend luncheon at Civic Centre, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood on Wednesday 19th. March 1975, from the Mayoress Mrs. Lois Morris. 2. Bifold typed letter with City of Ringwood Crest inviting Mrs. E. Pullin to a "last supper" on Monday 28th August 1975 after the Council Meeting. 3. Inviation to Luncheon by the Mayoress Mrs. Shirley Martin to Mrs. Pullin at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood, 17th. March. 1976. 4. 24th June, 1987, letter from the Mayoress Mrs. Lillian Rosewarne to Mrs. Pullin thanking her for the photograph taken at the opening of the Poppet Head in the Ringwood Lake area. 5. Invitation to Mrs. Pullin from the Mayor, Councillor John Caffyn and the Councillors of the City of Ringwood to a "Thank you" for local community organisations at Mines Road on Thursday 19th. May 1988. 6. Invitation to Mrs. Pullin by the Mayoress Mrs. Verna Gardini to a Luncheon at the Ringwood Convention and Performing Arts Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood on Friday 17th. March 1989. 7. Inviation from The Mayor of Ringwood Councillor Margaret Cheevers to Mrs. Pullin MBE to Afternoon Tea at the Convention Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood East on 26th. October 1993.

Kindly scanned from Ringwood Branch archival collectionTranscript (kindly completed by Ken Briscoe using ChatGPT) RINGWOOD BRANCH COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION INC. February 13, 1946 in the Ringwood Town Hall, the Mayoress, Mrs. H.E. Parker, called the meeting and Ringwood Branch Country Women's Association was formed, and would be in the Yarra Valley Group. Speaker for the day was Mrs. Wray, Group President, Yarra Valley Group. Office bearers elected were: • Mrs. Greenshields (President) • Mrs. Shields (Secretary) • Mrs. Roberts (Treasurer) At the inaugural meeting, 93 ladies joined, and the first general meeting of the Ringwood Branch was held March 7, 1946, and by the end of August the membership grew to 160. In 1946 the joining fee was 4/- and you never attended a meeting unless you wore hat and gloves. The first year, meetings were held in the main Town Hall, then they were transferred to the small hall, which had a creche next door, at the baby health centre, where mothers could leave their little ones, while mum enjoyed the meetings, demonstrations or entertainment. The Branch had a very good Choir, conducted by Mrs. Dorrie Davidson, also a very talented theatrical group. Each birthday they put on excellent stage shows, some beautiful costumes being hired from well-known Melbourne theatrical company. The 1956 Olympic stage show had some well-trained, but out of form, athletes. Highlight of the year was the Annual Ball and two Debutante Balls. New branches were formed in the district, Everard, East Ringwood, Heathmont, South Warrandyte. There was also, Ringwood Younger set, a night branch (later years was renamed Marana). It was then that our membership dropped. As more and more branches were started in the district, Ringwood was then allocated to the newly formed Maroondah Highway Group. Craft classes and demonstrations were of a high standard, with some interesting things being made such as millinery, dressmaking, pottery, etc. In 1960 when Ringwood was made a City, a C.W.A. float was entered in the procession, this was a mammoth task, as hundreds of flowers were made and wired to the float, which was in green and gold C.W.A. colours. The time came when the Town Hall was to be demolished, and we moved to the Church of England Hall, Civic Place, but after a short time, this hall was also demolished. Meetings were then held at Ringwood Library until the library was no longer available. Our last move was to our present meeting room at Lionswood. Today you dress as you wish and membership is $12.00. The Ringwood Branch in 1995 has 2 life members and 21 members. Alice Milner March 15, 1995 As a matter of interest, of those 160 members who joined in the first year, only one active member is left with the Branch

Kindly scanned from Ringwood Branch archival collectionTranscript (kindly completed by Ken Briscoe using ChatGPT) During the second World War, a group of Ringwood ladies sent tins of fat to England. When the War ended in 1946, the Mayoress, Mrs. H.E. Parker, called a meeting and a branch of the Country Women's Association was formed. The subscription was four shillings and two shillings for associate members. Meetings were held in the lower Town Hall, the President and Secretary sat on the stage, the Treasurer at a table on the floor and the hostess at the door to welcome members. Birthdays were held in the Town Hall. There was an active drama group who performed at competitions. After the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956, members re-enacted some of the events. A yearly ball was held for several years. Members catered for the Scout Jamboree. They looked after victims of the bush fires - the Town Hall was covered in beds. Mrs. Pratt, Senior, whose husband took up a selection in Ringwood, gave a block of land to the C.W.A., but the late Councillor Mr. Frank Corr, told his wife (a member) that the Council would not permit a hall to be built on this land so the block was sold to the Masonic Lodge for 250 pounds. Cards were enjoyed monthly in the Presbyterian Church Hall in Adelaide Street. Craft group met in the Church of England Hall in Ringwood Street.

Ringwood Mayoral Ball 10th June, 1955. Mayor and Mayoress Horman. Sir George and Lady Knox, Mrs Kelly (far right). All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned. Some photos have been taken by Peter Payens of Ringwood Studios, 36 Whitehorse Road, Ringwood, WU-7609, probably for the Ringwood mail newspaper.

Ringwood Mayoral Ball 10th June, 1955. Mayor and Mayoress of Ringwood greeting the Hon. Gilbert Chandler, Minister of Agriculture, and Mrs Chandler. Also Mrs Kelly on right. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned. Some photos have been taken by Peter Payens of Ringwood Studios, 36 Whitehorse Road, Ringwood, WU-7609, probably for the Ringwood mail newspaper.

Invitation to Ringwood Charity Ball, March 24th, 1961. To the Mayor and Mayoress of the City of Ringwood, Cr Bob and Gwen Horman. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation to Reception, March 22nd, 1961 at Ringwood Town Hall. From the Mayoress of the City of Ringwood, Gwen Horman. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.