C.W.A.

Statement of Significance

The place is representative of country women and the community spirit in rural Western Australia.

Physical Description

The domestic looking building is constructed of concrete blocks with a hip tiled roof. A verandah extends across the front of the place, and the roof extends over it, supported by square timber posts. The front double door entry is central.

History

In June 1929 the State President of the CWA addressed the women from the Wickepin district, in the Town Hall, and one month later, in July 1929, the first meeting of the Wickepin CWA took place in the kitchen of Blake's Store (which became the Co-op). The CWA is an organisation which offers social interaction and support for rural women, and works for the community in which they live. During the Depression years, farmers wives donated scoured wool which the women worked at, and together with calico flour bags, made quilts. They also collected and re-made cloths for needy families. In 1930 the "Younger Set" was formed, with the girls helping with community events, and providing baby clothes to the hospital to assist the mothers. They disbanded in 1936, only to reform in 1938, providing much needed Saturday night entertainment in Wickepin. In 1938, the Co-op built a rest room on the side of the store, the furnishings of that room are still in the existing CWA rooms. It was always open for people waiting for trains and buses in war time, and the farmers wives with young children coming into town. During the war years, the community efforts were to the Red Cross for the war, and the CWA was quiet except for the CWA annual ball. With the war over the main aim was to build a rest room. In 1945 Mrs Devlin was asked to donate her land, which she subsequently did in 1946. Later that land was exchanged for this larger site. A building committee was formed in 1948, and decided to build in cement block and tile which was the cheapest method. A fundraising donation list was drawn up and many of the town businesses and community members contributed. The CWA women catered at functions throughout the district. The community men made the bricks, using Alan Brockwells cement brick mould, having just completed the bricks for the show luncheon booth, they carried on. On 26 October 1955 the State President declared the CWA rooms open. In 1957 the World President of the CWA, Mrs Alice Berry visited the Wickepin CWA. In 1950 the first handicraft demonstration took place, and handicrafts created much interest for many years. "The drama group" was active for several years providing entertainment at parties and divisional rallies. The CWA rooms were also used for the meetings of the Junior Farmers, Methodist Sunday School, music lessons, a play centre for three years (1972-75), and the Infant Health Clinic. In June 1979 the CWA ladies celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Uses

Historic Themes

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