Digitised video (1.82GB). Duration: 26minutes. Recorded April, 2024. (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Ringwood CWA was formed on 7th March in 1946 in the small town hall, with 65 Foundation members. Even in the first meeting, there was a competition for the best scones and tomatoes. The consensus was to meeting monthly on the first Thursday. In this presentation, Lorraine Zimmerman talks of the history and some of the activities of Ringwood's CWA branch.

A0-size (approx) map of named streets, lot-numbered properties and locality features within City of Ringwood boundary. Colour-coded legend identifying Existing Rec Reserves, Proposed Rec Reserves, Existing Open Space, Children's Playgrounds, and Schools.Scale: 8 chains to 1 inch. Map picked up in Engineer's office at old town hall prior to demolition 1971.

Technical drawing of Ringwood Railway Station features, surrounding streets and buildings including Cool Stores, Packing Shed, Coke Bin, Coal Box, Dam, Garage, Shops, ES&A Bank, Station Master's Residence, Drill Hall, Goods Shed, Signal Box, Passenger Platform, Footbridge, and Clock Tower at Warrandyte Road. Station entrance and traffic access areas shaded red and yellow.Scale: 1"=40'

Technical drawings (a) Block Plan - Ringwood Drill Hall Site, Station Street, Ringwood. (b) Plan View, End and Side Elevation, Drill Hall Wodonga - Removed to Ringwood. (c) Plan View, Front and Rear Elevations, Minature Rifle Range at Ringwood Drill Hall.Commonwealth of Australia. Department of The Interior, Works & Services Branch, Victoria.

Buff coloured letter dated 11th March 1965, stating the Council has "decided that as a fitting climax to the ceremony of conferring upon the Unit (Royal Engineers 3 Division) the Freedom of Entry to Ringwood, a Ball be held at the Unit's depot in Dublin road, Ringwood east, on the night of the ceremony - that is, the 27th March next" Proceeds to the appeal for erection of the proposed Maroondah Cojmmunity Hospital. Invitation signed by B.J. Hubbard, Mayor - City of Ringwod Note: At the time of cataloguing (May 2024), no photos of the Ball have been found, nor any reference to the Ball in local newspapers. Ref A/1/9, Town Hall, Ringwood

2 Invitation Cards for the Conferring of Freedom of Entry to the City of Ringwood upon Royal Australian Engineers 3 Division, 1965. Invitations for Mr. And Mrs. R. A. Pullin, and Mr. J.K. McCaskillThe cards read: His Worship the Mayor (Cr B. J. Hubbard, J.P.) and Councillors of the City of Ringwood request the pleasure of the company of Mr and Mrs R.A. Pullin (Invitation no. 117) (and on second card, Mr. J.K. McCaskill, invitation no. 101) at the Conferring of The Freedom of Entry to the City of Ringwood upon Royal AUstralian Engineer 3 Division at Ringwood 2.30pm Saturday, 27th Marchd, 1965 RSVP 19th March, 1965, Town Clerk, Town Hall, Ringwood On Receipt of Acceptance Entree Cards will be forwarded.

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on back of one photograph: "From Town Hall roof, Dec 1962. Image shows demolished site of Cool Stores on corner of Maroondah Highway and Wantirna Road.

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on back of one copy: "Town Hall roof 12/62, looking over Ringwood Street.

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on back of one copy: "Town Hall roof, 12/62".

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on back of one photograph: "Town Hall roof, 12/62."

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on back of one photograph: "Town Hall roof, 12/62.

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.

Kindly scanned from Ringwood Branch archival collectionAt the Lutheran Church Hall, City Road, Ringwood on 20th March 1996

Newspaper Clipping from "The Post", 12 May 1993, Page 7, "Communiy meal plan"'.A group of 140 Italian senior citizens may be granted use of Bedford Park youth hall and kitchen one day a week to prepare and eat a traditional Italian meal together in Ringwood. Ringwood Council's policy and resources committee directed officers to consult with the hall management committee, Italian senior citizens and the senior citizens' consultative committee and report back to council on the possibility of the Italian group using the hall one day a week.

AW Hall, Ringwood Town Clerk 1972 - 1983

Newspaper Clipping from "The Mail", 2-12-97. P3. Dr Blair Widmer marks 50 years practicing as a doctor in the Ringwood area.Dr Blair Widmer was honoured for having spent 50 years as a GP in the Ringwood area. The occasion was marked by an afternoon tea at the Uniting Church Hall in Greenwood Ave.

Hand written letters, and newspaper clippings.5517(a)- Letter of thanks to Ringwood Council for donation of 13/- to the Auxiliary. Dated 15/5/1929. 5517(b)- Letter of thanks to Ringwood Council for donation of £1 rebate for hire of Hall. Dated 6/6/1932. 5517(c)- Letter of thanks to Ringwood Council for donation of £5 to the Auxiliary. Dated 19/11/1935. 5517(d)- Letter fo thanks to Ringwood Council for donation of £5 to the Auxiliary. Dated 15/10/1937. 5517(e)- Newspaper clipping with details of the monthly meeting of the Ringwood Auxiliary of the Eye and Ear Hospital. Dated 3/5/1934. 5517(f)- Newspaper clipping with details of the monthly meeting of the Ringwood Auxiliary of the Eye and Ear Hospital. Dated 13/11/1930.

Newspaper Clipping from the ""Mail", 2-12-1997 P16. "Pupils put best feet forth"Pupils at Mullum Primary School took part in a Walkathon to raise money for their new hall. The school's 326 pupils walked about 2750 kilometres on a fund raising walkathon . Principal Rob Bloye said the event raised about $5000 for the new hall's heating and carpet. Mr Bloye said the $90,000 school hall would be finished by the start of the next school year. "The hall is a co-operative project, which means it has been fundfed by the community without any government grants", he said.

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.

Invitation to the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 19th March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall by His Excellency General Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks KCB KCMG KCVO DSO K St J. From the Mayor Cr AG Lavis Councillors to Cr RC Horman and Mrs G Horman. Includes minutes of the Council meeting. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation to celebration of the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 24th March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall, a Variety Concert. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation to celebration of the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 23rd March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall, a Night of Ballet. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Extract from the Australian Municipal Journal celebration of the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 19th March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall, with Sir Dallas Brooks and Lady Brooks. Cr Lavis, Mayor of the City of Ringwood. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation to celebration of the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 19th March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall, special meeting of the Ringwood City Council. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation to celebration of the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 23rd March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall, a Reception. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation to celebration of the proclamation of Ringwood as a City on 23rd March 1960 at Ringwood Town Hall, The National Theatre Ballet.. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Invitation for the Mayoral Ball on 10th June 1955 at Ringwood Town Hall from the Mayor RC Horman and Mayoress Gwen of the Borough of Ringwood. All material is from Gwen Horman’s three albums that she owned.

Opening of Ringwood Bowling Green Ringwood Council Chaplain appointed Sir George Knox Memorial appeal launched at Ringwood Town Hall "New Theatre" group at St Paul's Hall. Official opening of Ringwood Ladies' Bowling club season Ringwood East CWA birthday celebration Maroondah Pre-School fundraiser with Gerry Gee and Ron Blaskett, and helicopter rides.

Ringwood Arts and Craft Society annual meeting at Ringwood Town Hall Ringwood Business and Professional Women's Club at Mirama Court, Mitcham Ringwood State School Mother's Club birthday at Methodist Sunday School Hall The ringwood Council Chaplain Rev. Bruce Adams Ringwood Guides and Brownies fundraiser British Commonwealth Youth Day Marathon-running Mayor RC Horman 1st Heathmont Scouts annual garden party New Heathmont Welfare Centre Viviani Crescent opened by Lady Brooks October 1960 - Ringwood Naturalisation Ceremony at Town Hall