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A Short Overview The Country Womens Association in Tasmania (Inc) began in 1936, when the first branch was opened at a meeting in Launceston Town Hall, convened by Lady Clark, the wife of the Governor. In the next 18 months, 18 branches were formed, with a membership of 550. Membership peaked at 6,000 around 1954 in 203 branches. Handcraft and Home Industries Committees encouraged participation in agricultural shows, exhibitions and displays and Choral and Drama Committees fostered music and drama. CWA shops opened in Hobart and Launceston and holiday homes and rural halls were acquired. Working with local councils, Child Health Centres were established in country areas and maintained by branches until the Health Department restructured the operation. Rest rooms were established in towns, providing areas for visiting doctors, clinic sisters and community services. Community support initiatives included the provision of infant clothes and care items for families in need and aids for cancer sufferers, distributed through the Cancer Council. The war years of 1939-1945 saw outstanding work. Members raised funds for the Red Cross, prisoners of war and the British Air Raid Relief, provided food parcels, made 27,000 camouflage nets for the armed forces, repaired army uniforms and were involved in the Womens Land Army. A Voluntary Aid Detachment held classes in first aid and home nursing around Tasmania. An ambulance was donated to the armed forces in the Pacific. The Association has been involved with many issues affecting rural communities, including the provision of better education, health and telephone services. Among numerous matters addressed have been the placement of seat belts in cars; bubble packaging of medicines and recommending the installation of audible signals at traffic lights for the visually impaired.(Source: Ena Miles, Glimpses of Gold: A Brief History of The Country Womens Association in Tasmania, Hobart, 1987).
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