Difference between revisions of "South Australian Country Women's Association Mallala Branch"

Revision as of 13:41, 27 March 2010

 At the close of  World War 2, having devoted much time and energy to the war effort, local women felt the need of a different role of service and companionship and discussed the possibility of the formation of a C.W.A. Branch. The Branch was formed in March 1946 and the first meeting was held in the old Church of Christ building  April 4 1946.

Foundation Officers being President - Mrs. M. Roberts, Vice President- Mrs W. Broster, Treasurer - Mrs. O. Pitt. Thirty ladies paid for Membership. Mrs. Steer formed the Handicraft group. The following year a building fund was established. Due to the polio epidemic in 1950 meetings were suspended  temporarily.

The following years saw a Branch Choir established, a pine tree planted in the school grounds to mark the 1954 Royal Tour and the awarding of the Burton Cup for Handicraft to Mallala for three successive years.

When the Mallala Institute renovations commenced in 1959  a purpose built room for the C.W.A. was included in the planned  work. The building fund had continued as a project and the amount of money saved in it had increased over the years and enabled the C.W.A.branch to finance such an asset. The room was officially opened by the State President, Mrs. T. A. Hunt-Cooke.

Many functions for fund raising were held over the years----Annual Debutante Balls, catering for weddings, Christmas Tree exibitions and numerous other activities.

At the 21st. Birthday Celebrations of the Mallala Branch of C.W.A. the Life Membership honour  was conferred on Mrs. M. Roberts. It was in recognition of 21 years of wonderful guidance as the President of the Mallala Branch.

During the next ten years the handicraft room and toilet were added to the existing area.

Several members attained positions at State and Divisional levels and Mrs. C. East visited the headquarters of the Women's Institute whilst in London,obtaining a  link with an English W.I. group.   
 The Mallala Choral Group received good reports at the Annual Choral Festivals held in the Adelaide Town Hall, while the Drama Group under the leadership of Mrs. Barbara Franks, performed regularly at Competitions held at the Arts Theatre and other venues, with great success.    

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