Eltham Community Festival, 4-13 August 1978 Second photo of 5 ladies very motion blurred but ladies named are L to R: Edi Levi, Joyce Finster, Thelma Smith, Jean Spencer, Norma Williams. Newsletter No. 3 September 1978 Eltham Community Festival. This year’s Eltham Community Festival was held from August 4th to 13th. The society was involved with the Warrandyte Historical Society in arranging an exhibition at the Community Centre and also provided notes and a map for a self-guided walking tour of historic buildings and locations around Eltham. Copies of notes will continue to be available from the Eltham Shire Offices and the tour may be under-taken at any time. The exhibition was divided into two sections. The Eltham Society displayed early photographs associated with the walking tour, whilst the Warrandyte Society showed their photographs and artefacts of the Warrandyte gold era. An outstanding feature was the large "blow-up" photos of early Warrandyte. Two colour photographs (one very blurry but with members names on it)eltham, main road, eltham festival, alan whitmore estate agents, shell service station, mount pleasant road, parade, parade float, wingrove park, country women's association, montmorency, edi levi, joyce finster, thelma smith, jean spencer, norma williams

assortment of badges. NSW Country Women's Association ; Royal Victorian Institute For The blind Auxiliary ; Orbost Memorial Hall-1926 ; Red CrossCWA badge - Angus & Coote RVIB - Stokes + Son Melb. Red Cross - Parkes Bris. 2/-badges costume-accessories nsw-country-womens-association royal-victorian-institute-for-the-blind orbost-memorial-hall red-cross

The Country Women’s Association of Australia advances the rights and equity of women, families and communities in Australia through advocacy and empowerment, especially for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia. The Country Women’s Association of Victoria was founded in 1928 and the Warrnambool Branch was founded in 1931. The branch has given assistance through the years to the Red Cross, Baby Health Centres, the Warrnambool Hospital, bush fire relief, mental health and aged care and it has regular displays of country arts and crafts. In 1961 the C.W.A. Centre and Rest Rooms were opened in Kepler Street, Warrnambool. In 2016 the group celebrated the 85th anniversary of its founding.This booklet is of interest to researchers and others wanting a brief outline of the history of the Warrnambool Branch of the Country Women’s Association. This is a small booklet of 12 pages. The front cover is white with black printing and it has a yellow back cover. The booklet has black plastic spiral binding. The pages contain printed information, photocopies of newspaper articles, a knitting pattern and other photocopied material. The booklet has been produced in-house by the Warrnambool Country Women’s Association.‘Looking Back at 85 Years, the History of the Warrnambool Branch of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria Inc. 1931 until 2016 and Still Going Strong.’country women’s association, history of warrnambool

The Country Women's Association of Victoria was founded in 1928. It was formed to promote the interests of women and children in rural areas. Mabel Hedditch (1897 - 1966) moved to Australia and was postmistress in Bridgewater. Aswell as being elected to the Portland Town Council she was a founding member of the Country Women's Association of Victoria. Programme for Country Women's Association Choral and Drama Festival 1990. Yellow front and back cover with a green content page. Three pages in total stapled together. The cover page shows pixelated images of four drama masks with title information. Held at the Portland Civic Hall, 9th-10th Oct. 1990. Cover page: The Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. / Choral & Drama Festival, Portland Civic Hall, 9th & 10th October 1990 / Convenor - Mrs M Stratford / Adjudicators, Mrs J Irving - Drama, Mr P Sargeant - Choralcountry women's association, cwa, fesitvals, choral and drama festival

A short history of the Country Women's Association of Victoria 1928-1978. 76 pages, black and white photographs. Soft cover.country womens association of victoria

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The doors and window sashes, (made of red deal joinery timber), as well as the brass locks and fittings, are from the original cottage, and were imported from England. The fire-place bricks are from the original cottage, and are sun-dried, (not kiln fired), and are hand-made. Convict marks can be seen on two bricks. There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. These shingles were hand-split, and most likely made from locally collected timber The nails included in this display were used to fasten the shingles on the original cottage, and are also hand-made. The cottage was occupied by William Box and family from 1865 until 1914 when it was sold to William Reitman who resided there until 1950. The enamel nameplate, “Colonial”, on the wall of the cottage, was the name chosen for the original pioneer cottage by Mr William Reitman, when he purchased the property in around 1915, for 1200 Pounds approximately. In 1974 Mr Lewis, a timber specialist, found the dilapidated building on property he had recently purchased in Jasper Rd and suggested it be reconstructed and relocated. Moorabbin Council agreed and the cottage was rebuilt just about 250 metres from its original site. The cost of the rebuild was met by 'Victoria's 150th Committee, plus a small grant from the City of Moorabbin, and Mr Laurie Lewis donated much of the timber for the reconstruction. The re-constructed cottage plan has followed faithfully the original dimensions, and plan of the original pioneer cottage, and as many original items from that cottage’s long occupation have been incorporated. The photographs in Album 1 record the progress of the reconstruction from February 1984 to the First Public Open Day November 18th 1984 and this Flag Raising Celebration in February 1985.These 3 photographs taken at the 'Reconstructed Box Cottage' on Sunday 24th February 1985 show the Presentation of the Australian Flag and the Victorian State Flag by Mr Geoff Connard MLC to CMHS President and Moorabbin City Council Cr. Max Fox and CMHS members. Mrs Kinsey, President, Country Womens' Association Bentleigh presented a hand made Quilt, that is a copy of the one exhibited at Como House, South Yarra, to CMHS President Cr. Max Fox . Mr Geoff Lawson MLC and CMHS member was also present.. Mrs H. Deam and Mr A. Smith, CMHS members, took these photographs to record the progress of the ‘Reconstruction’ from February 1984 to November 1984 and this Celebration in 1985. Although 'Box Cottage' is a re-construction, it is an unique museum that, being located in the midst of a modern community in Ormond Victoria, can educate and demonstrate many aspects of the early settler’s way of life in Victoria. As such, it is an invaluable resource for students and all kinds of visitors. 2 x colour photographs of the Australian Flag and the Victorian State Flag presentation at Box Cottage in Joyce Park February 24th 1985 1 x colour photograph of the presentation of a Quilt by the Country Womens' Association Bentleigh at Box Cottage in Joyce Park February 24th 1985 Written on back of photo a) Flag presentation / Cr. Fox Mr Connard / Mrs Fox Mr Lawson / 24th Feb 1985 b) Mrs Kinsey Pres. CWA Bentleigh / Presenting our Pres. Cr. Fox / with hand made quilt / copy of one now in Como / 24th Feb. Sunday 1985 c) Presentation of Vic. State Flag by / Mr G Connard MLC to our Pres. / Cr Fox / with Mr Lawson MLCbrighton, moorabbin, highett, ormond, mckinnon, cottages, pioneers, colonial, dendy henry, box william, box elizabeth, reitman william, convicts lewis timber co. ltd., deam h, smith arthur, museums, box alonzo, moody & smith builders highett, the moorabbin standard newspaper, the leader newspaper pty ltd., fox max , lewis laurie, moorabbin city council, national trust, connard geoff mlc, lawson geoff mlc, kinsey mrs cwa, country womens association, como house south yarra,

The Tawonga branch of the C.W.A. commenced on the 7th Feb. 1946 and often combined activities with the other branches in the Kiewa Valley. The C.W.A. aimed to improve health, welfare and education for women and children in the country.Women living in Tawonga were mostly on farms and, in 1946, when the branch commenced would have been feeling more remote with WW11 having had an effect of available workers and the well being of the women and children. This tea towel would have been used at a later date possibly for fund raising as the group continued to meet and work together.This large blue green, yellow, brown and black with a white border, linen, tea towel has the CWA logo in the middle with pictures of handcrafted items surrounding it. Along the bottom is printed: "Handicrafts / of the / Country Women's Association of Victoria."Handicrafts / of the / Country Women's Association of Victoria - along the bottom Pure Irish Linen - bottom left Dummay - bottom righttea towel, cwa, tawonga, kitchen, linen

The Country Women's Association of Victoria was established to support and promote the interests of women and children living in rural areas.Square ticket made from yellow cardboard. Ticket is for the Country Women's Association Choral & Drama Festival 1990. A date stamp of 10 October 1990 on the front. Printed with C.W.A FESTIVAL.10 OCT 1990 / C.W.A / FESTIVALcountry women's association, cwa, festival, women's history, women

The Country Women's Association (CWA) began in Victoria in 1928 with the aim of improving the opportunities for women and children. They are a philanthropic and advocacy group and part of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW). There are currently over 5000 members and Bendigo has several groups.Small yellow bi-fold Syllabus (1959) for the Country Womens Association, South Bendigo Branch. Contains monthly syllabus events and competitions for the 1959 year. Green print with CWA logo on the front.cwa, country women's association

Information from research by Mabel Rogers from the first meeting in August 1939 – 1969 Notable Events of the CWA The document contains information about meetings and events and numbers of members who attended. December 2013 – a selection of some of the items of interest have been extracted by Wendy Barrie NOTABLE EVENTS Page 1 1938 August 10th 1938 Minutes of inaugural meeting of Melton Branch Country Women’s Association. Cr Coburn introduced Mrs Toose, Ballarat G.P. [Group President] 42 ladies were present, including visitors from Bacchus Marsh and Smeaton Branches. September – Miss A Raleigh was elected Magazine Secretary October- 26 members present. Penny Collection for Million Members Fund November December – Mrs Swan gave demonstration of basketry, using stringy bark, Eucalyptus bark and reeds 1939 February 1939 – 18 members present. Branch total 50. Donation towards Pedal Transmitting Set. Inquiries made of Shire Council re permission to fence War Memorial March April – cost of fence material beyond Branch Funds May- 24 members present June, July, August – birthday celebrations. September 25 members present October – Meeting hled at Toolern Vale Bird Sanctuary 36 members present November – 1st Annual Meeting December – Owing to harvest operations, only 11 members present. 1940 February electric kettle and urn to be purchased for Mechanics Institute. Also to install a power point. [Electricity was connected to Melton in December 1939] April end of page 1 Page 2 May – Council Permission to be sought, to plant trees on oval below Shire Hall P.M.G. to be asked to supply a seat outside telephone booth for convenience of callers after P.O. was closed. June- Wives of A.I.F. soldiers be made honorary members. “1d per week drive” for gift for the Empire. July, September, October November – Group President stressed the importance of keeping Branches together during time of war. Collection of sheep skins to be made into vests for fighting forces worthy of consideration. Group President, Mrs Morgan-Paylor. December 1941 February 30 members present March – Eight members attend Ballarat Group Conference. Approach Council re fencing and preparation of land for tree plantation May – Mrs Swan demonstrated making of slippers from pieces of sheepskin June – Empire Gift Scheme of 1d per week to be continued for another year or duration of the war. July – Demonstration on making camouflage nets August, September Group Conference at Smeaton, October, November meetings held 1942 February- Enquiries to be made as how to help with A.R.P. work March, April, May, June,- Headquarters busy on war work. July end of page 2 Page 3 August, September. October – 15 Camouflage Nets forwarded to Headquarters November- Mrs Glasson Group President presided at Annual Meeting. Meetings to be held at 3 monthly intervals. Overseas link, enquiries be made of Melton Mowbray had a C.W.A. Branch 1943 February- Overseas link to be Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales May- 7 Camouflage Nets to Headquarters. American overseas link Nov 5th Annual Meeting, letters received from Wales and America 1944 May – Approach to be made to Council re formation of Baby Health Centre July – Ball held for Baby Health Centre effort. Admission 3/- 1945 February- Mrs Lemke present at meeting May August- Miss Strahan of Womens Hospital gave a talk on “Work of Almoner Departments in Public Hospitals” November Annual meeting. eight food parcels sent to Britain, 2 to Lampeter 1946 meetings held every two months May- Congratulations to Mrs Swan, Group President Elect June – 20 members present. August- 8th Birthday celebrated with a Social Evening Music was supplied by Mrs E.W. Barrie September - Scone competition 1. Mrs Beaty, 2. Miss Robinson 3. Mrs Exell November- Eggs sent to Somers House 1947 February – Demonstration of Glove-making March – revert to monthly meetings April - decided to have an auto tray made for the Branch May – Branch decided to plant a tree for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st Birthday.. Council to be asked if agreeable to continue arrangements in 1940, to fence C.W.A. Plantation end of page 3 Page 4 June - Food parcels sent to Overseas Link July – Invitations to birthday celebrations sent to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Sunbury, Mt Egerton August September - Collection of silver coin taken a donation from Branch towards wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth … forwarded to H.Q. November – C.W.A. together with Red Cross and Bacchus Marsh C.W.A. to provide afternoon tea and luncheon at Eynesbury sale. 1948 February – Food parcels sent to ex-Prisoner-of-war. Publicity agent appointed April – Decided to apply for trees to be planted in area already chosen a beauty spot May – Additional listeners to Broadcast Session were appointed June July – Gift of books received from Overseas Link. I was decided to stat a Library . Miss Raleigh to at a Librarian. August – 5 pound donation from Branch funds to “Save the Children” Appeal. September, October, November 1949 January – At Group Conference, delegates to vote in favour of resolution that State School children be allowed to sit for exams in own school March – Decided to contact Council for permission to fence off Water Reserve April, May – Another parcel to be sent to Ret. British P.O.W. Association June July – Fancy Dress Children’s Ball to be held for Annual Effort August – 11th Birthday September – Bank Balance November – 11th annual Meeting. Members agree to supply small gifts to Ballarat Mental Hospital 1950 February – Five books were received from Lampeter March – Branch to support idea of holding a Music Drama Festival in Group April – Miss Smith elected Group President May – C.W.A. Science Van visited Melton June – Demonstration of Macrame work - July August – 12th Birthday Celebration end page 4 Page 5 September, October November 12th Annual Meeting, Miss Smith Group President. Melton's Country Women's Association Choirlocal special interest groups, local identities

In 1944-1996 Edna Barrie was a member of the Melton Branch Country Women’s Association (CWA), Melton Branch, Secretary of the Branch in 1945 – 1946 and Branch International Secretary 1970-1971. She worked with choir, music and drama interest groups within the branch attaining both first and second place in 1959, second place in 1952 Exhibition and second in Music in 1960 in the state. She was involved in their handicraft craft events, fund raising and musical events and singing competitions. During the 1950s she trained Trios and Quartets in part singing for the CWA competitions in Ballarat and Melbourne. It was at this time that she developed her skill as a conductor and trainer of choirs. She later auditioned for the Victorian Choir for alto parts believing she would stand a better chance of being chosen, because of her ability to sing in natural harmony. In 1962 she participated in the Tenth Australian Country Women of the World (ACWW) Triennial Conference “Australia Presents: CWA Massed Choir” in the Melbourne Town Hall. This event was recorded by Super Sound Spotlight on 45 extended play vinyl record. The songs were Australian music and words, for example The Silver Stars are in the Sky, The Graceful Swaying Wattle and Kookaburra. Edna continued with her interest in the Victorian Choir regularly meeting at the CWA Headquarters in Toorak for rehearsals. In 1974 she took part in the Australian Choir at the fourteenth Triennial conference of the ACWW Interfaith Service held at the Perth Concert Hall on the 13th of October. Items celebrating 80 years of Country Women's Association and the closure of the Melton branchlocal significant groups, local identities, local special interest groups

This flag was used by Country Women's Association (C.W.A) Kiewa Valley Branch circa 1950's. This was in a period when the C.W.A. was the major women's organisation which had the greatest influence amongst rural women (especially in isolated areas). This was a period when broad based communications were mainly by radio,women orientated magazines and the telephone. The CWA was an organisation that catered exclusively to country(rural) women's needs. The atmosphere was one of "sisterhood" and covered nearly all the needs of rural based women. This one organisation incorporated knowledge and learning targeting women who physically may be isolated but not mentally.The Kiewa Valley Group of the C.W.A. was a focal point for women in this still relatively isolated rural region and the need to have a place of refuge from the heavy domestic demands that family and business exerted. It was place where the need of a time and space to gain all the mental relaxation and group bonding necessary to balance the sometimes harsh environment that rural life presented existed. The C.W.A. motto "Honour our God, Loyalty to the throne, Service to the country, Through country women, For country women, By country women."This flag is made from dark green cloth and has the Country Womens Association of Victoria insignia embroidered on it in gold and white lettering.This insignia is contained in a circular motif."C.W.A." (each letter layered over each other) cwa flag, national cwa victoria, country women's association, jan burnett, mt beauty

Country Women's Association of Victoria Awardlocal significant groups

The Real Story of the Country Women's Association of Victoria 1928 - 2008cwa

Front page of the 33rd Country Women's Association Finley Branchlocal significant groups

Photocopy of article re Doris and Cecil Evans married on 24/12/1938 at St Johns Anglican Church, Mitcham. Their honeymoon was spent at Quamby Guest House, now known as the Cuckoo. The prize for winning the 'Hannam's Birthday Celebrations Oldest Appliance' competition was received by Doris Evans.Photocopy of article re Doris and Cecil Evans ringwood east uniting church, ringwood east country womens association, steam and traction engine club, mckay, bruce, st johns anglican church, mitcham, 3aw (radio station), evans, doris, cecil

MABEL nee ABRAHAM ROGERS 1920 - 2004 Publications: The First One Hundred Years 1870-1970 Melton State School No 430 Co Author with Edna Barrie The Mechanics [Melton] 1985 Mabel Abraham was daughter of Herbert G Abraham, Butcher of High Street Melton. She attended Melton State School from 1928 qualifying for her Merit certificate in December 1928 and continued her education at Melbourne Girls High School [soon after known as MacRobertson Girls High School] She studied piano and elocution as a school girl. Mabel was associated with many activities in the Melton community. She was a natural writer and interested in research and was committed to documenting and preserving Meltons History. Mabel produced, wrote and acted for the “ Melton Amateurs” theatrical group established in 1950. The group performed Revues, Pantomimes, one and three act plays, Musical Comedy and Melodramas. In 1960 it lapsed for a time and from 1967 onwards more shows were successfully produced by Mabel. A creative producer and writer, audiences at the Melton Mechanics Institute enjoyed the performances of Gilbert and Sullivan and excerpts from the many Musicals of the era. She skilfully wrote scripts interweaving with songs and topical local dialogue successfully drawing out the talents of all the cast members. Mabel was a member of the C.W.A. holding position of Secretary. She was a member of the Melton and District Historical Society at its inception in 1968 and was a Member of The Willows Committee of Management. She was supporter of the first historical display and the Mechanics Hall and the Historical Society Annual Art and Craft shows from 1974 until 1982. In 1961 she was involved with Melton Development Association and in 1969 with the establishment of the first “Carols by Candlelight” held in Melton. Mabel was a member Anglican Church and Committee. She was a member of the Melton Mechanics Institute and made a Trustee and Life Member in 1965. She was a member of Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee. She was Guide Leader, member of the Red Cross and School Committee. In November 1982 she was a recipient of the Annual Rotary Community Service Award for outstanding service to the Community of Melton over a prolonged time. Mabel married Eric Rogers in August 1944 the wedding reception was held at the Melton Mechanics Hall. Their are children John, Ron, Francis and Judy. The family lived in High Street Melton between the Mechanics Institute and earliest Shire Hall eastern end. Eric was grader operator on the district roads. In their latter years Mabel and Eric lived in Bacchus Marsh. Eric died in Bacchus Marsh in July 2007. Country Women's Association Melton Branch lyrics from Mabel Roger's handwritten noteslocal identities, local significant groups