CWA Pioneer Memorial Mall

Statement of Significance

The CWA Pioneer Memorial Mall has Historic importance to the Nungarin community. Nungarin CWA was the first Branch of the Country Women's Association to be formed in Western Australia, and it is appropriate that this memorial to their contribution to the social fabric of this State be recognised.

Physical Description

A paved area 15.9 x 7.7 metres, abutting the East side of the Shire Hall with a 2 metre high limestone wall on the South-West side, reducing to 1 metre on the South -West side. The mall is accessible from double doors opening from the Hall, and from the front entry facing Railway Avenue.
A bronze plaque is fixed to the centre of the South-West wall. The inscription is as follows:
PIONEER WOMEN'S MEMORIAL
THE FIRST BRANCH OF THE COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA WAS FORMED IN
NUNGARIN ON 7th JULY, 1924 WITH THE FOLLOWING OFFICE BEARERS
PRESIDENT MRS R FRANCIS VICE-PRESIDENTS MRS BURNS & MRS BENSON SECRETARY MRS JH JOHNSON TREASURER MRS NICHOLS
IN ADDITON TO THESE LADIES, THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS JOINED IN THE FIRST YEAR:
MESDAMES
ANDREWS
BAIRD BAIRSTOW BENSON BEURTEAUX BODEY BRADLEY BURNS COULSON CREAGH DEVEREAUX DUGDALE
EDMONSEN J.HALL HARPER GH HERBERT SP HERBERT HODGES J JOLLY LE VAUX MCKINNON MATTHEWS MILLER MURRAY
H.PAYNE REILLY RICHARDS RORISON SASCHE THICK TURPIN WADSWORTH
WARNER F WILLIAMS VANZETT!
AND MISSES ANDREWS FRANCIS JOLLY
BURNS GEORGE NEWALL
DUGDALE HALL WARNER
THIS PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED ON 31st MAY 1998 TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA (1899-1999)

History

1999 marked the centenary of female suffrage in Western Australia. This state was the second in Australia to grant women the vote on 16th December 1899, and the third place in the world after New Zealand and South Australia.
As part of the celebration of women's suffrage, the Nungarin Shire Council received a grant of $5 520 to recognise the contribution made by Nungarin CWA Pioneer Members in the social, economic, political and cultural development of this region. A further $900 was contributed by the Nungarin Shire Council.
In 1924, Nungarin formed the first branch of the Country Women's Association in Western Australia. The history of the Nungarin CWA records an incredible diversity of concerns and achievements of rural women. Some of the issues addressed included the Jury Act Amendment Bill, peri-natal mortality, equality of legal rights for both parents, and health and education. Some of the early office bearers were also associated with the Executive of the Primary Producers Association, the Women's Welfare Committee, and the Children's Court.
The grant enabled the construction of the Pioneer Women's Memorial Mall adjacent to the Shire Hall, and also encouraged further research jointly undertaken by the Nungarin Primary School and members of the Nungarin community. The research enabled the production of a small booklet acknowledging the contribution of some of these pioneer women.
Rachael Jones wrote an article about Henrietta Burns (1873-1941), Crystal Roberts studied Rose Matilda Johnson (1870-1940), and Katrina Crogan chose Alice Williams (1890-1972)
The plaque was unveiled by the Chairperson of the W.A. Committee for the Centenary of Women's Suffrage, Mrs Kath White, as part of Nungarin's West Week celebrations. The State president of CWA, Mrs Rosa Tognela, was also present, and spoke about the contribution made to this State by CWA.
The Mall also has a water fountain in the East corner, which was presented to the Community of Nungarin by Mrs Phyllis Cornish as a memorial to her parents, Mr & Mrs F.J.W.Dawe.
Frank Dawe was a pioneer of the Nungarin District, having taken up land in the Burran Rock area under the Civil Servants' Re-Settlement Scheme in 1910. Ellen was a member of the Nungarin CWA between 1930 and 1979, having served as Treasurer between 1946 and 1959. She had been granted
life membership of the Nungarin Branch.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact
Authenticity: High

Condition

Excellent

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.