Witchcliffe CWA

Statement of Significance

Witchcliffe CWA Hall is of significance: • As a highly authentic and intact example of an inter-war CWA Hall. • For its association with the efforts and influence of the women of the district; their social and economic contribution to Witchcliffe and surrounding areas. • As a long-standing focal gathering point for the women of the community. • As evidence of the small local community centres that were established in the various Group Settlements throughout the region.

Physical Description

This is a single storey, bevel-edged weatherboard building with a painted corrugated iron gable roof. The main façade has a projecting porch enclosed on either side with weatherboards. The front posts to the porch are tapered and the gable front has battened flat sheet fibrous cement over weatherboard (which supports a sign with the CWA insignia). Inside the porch there is a timber bench on either side and central double timber doors. Either side of the porch there are double casement windows with three-panes per panel. There is a flat metal sheet fireplace and chimney on the eastern side.At the rear there is a skillion room, behind which there is a toilet addition and two water tanks.The grounds have informal plantings and a deteriorated square topped picket fence on the eastern side.

History

In the early 1920s this area was closely settled as part of the Group Settlement Scheme (Group 57 – Witchcliffe and Group 72 - Walgine). During the same period a sawmill and mill settlement were established at Walgine (East Witchcliffe). On the 20th of October 1924, the government extended the railway from Margaret River to Witchcliffe to help service the saw mill. At first the siding was named Narawary but, as there was already a Post Office named Witchcliffe, the siding was renamed in February 1925.In 1924 interest was shown in blocks of land at Witchcliffe Siding, and after investigation a scheme of subdivision was planned, lots surveyed, and a townsite gazetted in 1926.The Country Women’s Association began in Western Australia in 1924 as a non-party political, non-sectarian and not for profit organisation with the first branch being at Nungarin. The aim of the Association then, and still, is to improve the wellbeing of all people, especially those in country areas by promoting courtesy, cooperation, community effort, ethical standards and the wise use of resources. CWA was formed to meet the needs of the time – to help women in isolated rural communities and to provide a voice to Government to seek solutions to the difficulties facing families in such areas.The Witchcliffe CWA commenced in February 1933, when it was reported: Mrs. Leslie Craig (of Bunbury), State vice-president reports the formation of yet another branch of the Country Women's Association at Witchcliffe. She writes: "I went to Witchcliffe on Thursday last, and formed a branch there. The office-bearers are Mrs. Ashton, president; Mesdames Maxwell and McAuley, vice presidents; Mrs. Newman, secretary treasurer. We had a very nice meeting in the local hall, and Mrs. Hearman, of Donnybrook (a State vice president) convened the meeting and took the chair. The membership is 24 and Mrs. Hearman tells me that it will be more than doubled when they get going." By 1935 the new branch had raised enough money to erect their own hall.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained. High: The original/significant fabric is largely intact.

Condition

Poor *Assessed from streetscape survey only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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