| Country Women's Association of Western Australia | |
| Type: | Women's club |
| Formation: | 1924 |
| Founding Location: | Perth, Western Australia |
The Country Women's Association of Western Australia (CWA of WA) is a woman's club in Western Australia. The first meeting was held in Perth in early 1924, and their first four branches were established the same year.[1] Mabel Craven-Griffith was elected the first president at their first conference in 1925.[2] It was part of the Country Women's Association (CWA).[3]
The Association's purpose was "to improve the welfare and conditions of life of people everywhere, especially those living in the country, to foster friendship andunderstanding and to encourage co-operation and community effort".[4] Their first priority was to establish rest rooms; located in the CWA of WA branches, these spaces provided a place for rural women and their children to rest and eat when they were in the town.[2]
In 1934 the CWA of WA began publishing their newsletter The Countrywoman of Western Australia, which became a monthly publication in 1940.[1]
Of note was the CWA of WA's participation in the war effort during World War II, establishing a war relief fund and participating in the Australian Women's Land Army.[2]
Membership reached its peak in the mid 1950s with 12,000 members in about 250 branches.[1]
In 2001 the CWA of WA left the national Country Women's Association, but remains active.[3]
Several heritage register listings recognize Association-related sites in Western Australia, including:[5]