Advertises gift evening to support Victoria's State War Council's Appeal during World War 1. Admission by gifts.White coloured card printed in bluestate war council's appeal, wwi fund-raising

Flyer for a Great Carnival held at St Kilda Town Hall during World War I to aid the State War Council's Appeal. The dates are not given in full but they correlate with dates in 1918.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side.wwi fund-raising, st kilda carnivals

A Show and Tell panel with space for names is headed "London Hotel Gay Boys" but does not explain or give the origins of this name however an IN MEMORIAM notice in The Age, 5 Apr 1926 reading, in part, "NEVIN - In sad and loving memory of our club mate, Jimmie, who departed this life on 5th April, 1924" was inserted by the Gay Boys Club, Port Melbourne. The "White Hand", "Glee" and "Gay Boys" clubs were expected to take part in a carnival parade in Port Melbourne, Saturday 7 February 1925 for State War Council's appeal as previewed in The Record, 31 January 1925. A report on the carnival, The Record, 14 February 1925, mentions the "'White Hand' Club, a musical society, gathered themselves on a waggon and played popular orchestral numbers as they moved along. The 'Glee Boys' provided similar entertainment." But does not mention the 'Gay Boys'. Also, at Port Melbourne court on Monday, 13 June 1927, As reported in The Age the following day, George Alexander AMY, David Henry REID, Percy JENNINGS, John William DAVIS, and George William WALTON were proceeded against on complaints that on Sunday, 10th April, they were officers of an unregistered club, the 'Gay Boys', wherein liquor was kept for supply. Evidence given in court revealed that "each member paid 4/6 a week towards the cost of the liquor, which was consumed at the weekend. ... Amy, who arrived while police were there, said that he was the secretary. One of the functions of the club was to help people in distress." Given the connection to the Amy Family we can assume this is the same group still going strong in the early 1940s or perhaps it is the Glee Club that was also associated with the Amy Family.Photo taken outside London Hotel c 1941 of large group of people, including some women, and children from the McClusky family, owners. All present are wearing the same badge, which says 'No to Prohibition'. This group is ready to go off on a picnic. In shirtsleeves on the left is the publican, Bill GREGSON, who has married Eileen McCLUSKY and become publican after her husband died. Back row L-R: ?, ?, ?, Jack CALDWELL, ?, Jim MALONY, ?, Ernie STAFFORD, Jack IRVING, ?, Nat TYRELL, ?, ? Third row L-R: Bill GREGSON, Moss McCALL, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Watty POWER, ?, ?, ?, ? Second row L-R: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Andy POWER, ?, ?, (girl) ?, ?, ? Front row L-R: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, (boy) ?, ?, ?, ?, (boy) ?, ?, ?, George AMY Jr, (boy) ?societies clubs unions and other organisations, jack caldwell, jim moloney, ernie stafford, jack irving, nat tyrell, bill gregson, moss mccall, walter 'watty' power, andy power snr, george amy jnr, business and traders - hotels, jim malony, gay boys club, london hotel, glee club

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