Historical information
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.
Physical description
Melton's Country Women's Association Choir
