General News
22 November, 2025
CWA to celebrate 90th anniversary
The Hopetoun CWA branch is celebrating its 90th anniversary on Tuesday, November 25.
To mark this significant milestone, branch president Sue Afford said the group is inviting all past and present members, along with other CWA branches and the wider community, to an afternoon tea to reflect on nine decades of achievements.
“It’s an amazing achievement,” she said.
“It will be an afternoon of celebrations, plus an opportunity for the community to see what the CWA has achieved.”
The celebrations will take place at the Hopetoun RSL Hall, 4 Austin Street, from 1.30pm.
RSVP by November 22 by calling or texting 0409 233 184.
Looking back
The inaugural meeting was held on November 8, 1935, in the Karkarooc Shire Hall.
The first meeting took place in March 1936, with 30 members present.
The May meeting had 60 women in attendance, and the membership for 1936 consisted of 76 ladies for 1936.
The first President was Mrs J. Roberts (Kath), Secretary was Mrs A. Lampard (Clarice), and Treasurer was Mrs R. Loosli (Marjorie).
Although there were several organisations in the town, these women believed that the CWA would appeal to all, as it embraced the cause of improving conditions for all country women and children.
Every member of the CWA drew inspiration from the bond between the country women of a continent and sought to foster on a vast scale what was the very essence of Christianity - loyalty, friendship, service, and a spirit of neighbourliness.
At the first meeting, afternoon tea cost 3d. Junior members paid 1/- for membership, while others paid 2/- . One lady paid 4/-.
In November 1979, CWA moved from the Memorial Hall Reading Room to the Education Centre for their meetings.
Meetings are now held at Rural Northwest Health's Hopetoun campus, accommodating senior members who now reside at Corrong Village.
The first resolution taken at the Melbourne conference came from this branch, concerned with soil drift, a vital matter.
Also, the drift of young people to the city.
The first Birthday cake was sold for 3d. per slice at the Flower Show.
The second birthday was held at the Fire Brigade Hall.
In 1942, due to ingredient rationing, the birthday cake was dispensed with for that year.
The Younger Set was formed on June 30, 1939, with 19 members in attendance, and disbanded in November 1943 due to petrol rationing and the departure of younger members from the district.
Donation of £5 to Sister Cummings for a wireless for the local hospital, one guinea to the baby health caravan.
Moved Mrs Scholfield, seconded Miss Ruby Blake, that one penny per week, per member, be collected for the ambulance.
Mrs Dickinson (nee Ruby Blake), Nhill, told how early conferences were held on Saturdays when a school bus was free.
On October 9, 1945, Mrs Giles Snr. moved that the secretary write to Mr H. Rinaldi, thanking him for the gift of a pig to assist the Parcels for Britain appeal, seconded by Mrs Shofield.
Afternoon tea charges were increased to 6d.
Craftwork over the years has included making wool quilts and mattresses, upholstery, hat making, hooked rugs, knitted squares to make rugs, camouflage nets, pastry making, savouries, cake decorating and many other varieties of craft.
Some crafts were sold to support the scholarship fund, and Christmas puddings and cakes were also made and sold at the State Fair.
Articles collected, old silk stockings for Austin Hospital, fat for Britain, clothing for families, sheep skin vests, socks and scarves for service members.
Plum puddings were sent to Navy House.
Socks were knitted for the Comfort Fund. Members have continued to attend Anzac and Remembrance Day services and lay wreaths for 75 years.
Social events, including a welcome home dance for the diggers returning from the War.
Dances and Balls, along with street stalls, catering for functions, demonstration days, garden parties and fashion parades have all been held to raise funds.
Salmagundi evenings, social evenings, dancing, and cards; admission 1/6d.
Various projects around the town have been either suggested by CWA or been built with the aid of other organisations, including a concrete ramp at the Education Centre, seats, picnic tables at the Lake and around town, planting trees at the Cemetary, recreation ground, McGinnis Park, eastern side of Lake Lascelles, north entrance to the town, beautification of car park and the Baby Health Centre caravan.
Early market stalls at meetings consisted of poultry and dairy produce.
In 1941, 52 bags of flour were donated to the Red Cross.
The Hopetoun branch has participated in numerous plays over the years.
In April 1979, at Ballarat, Hopetoun won third place in the Song and Costume competition.
In 1990, member Ailsa Swalwell led the Hopetoun CWA Choir for the Central Wimmera Group Competition.
On July 27, 1945, Mrs Burdett and members attended a meeting to welcome Sir Louis and Lady Bussau.
Sir Louis, a local Solicitor and farmer, became a Member of Parliament (Country Party) and later Agent-General to London.
In 1947, a letter of sympathy was sent to Lady Bussau on the passing of her husband.
Owing to sugar shortage, the July competition of marmalade was postponed, and it was decided to help the Diggers Ball with cakes as far as sugar supplies allowed, as requested by the sub-branch of R.S.S.A.I.L.A.
A motion was later made to have the water channels piped.
In May 1947, a recording of planting a tree in honour of Princess Elizabeth’s 21st birthday and the CWA wrote to the Shire secretary seeking permission to plant a tree in the children’s playground.
Mrs Burdett moved the branch hold over the tree planting until the park is opened, seconded Mrs Russell (Poulton Memorial Park).
Advocacy
The February 27, 1945, committee minutes, moved by Mrs Giles and seconded by Mrs Schofield, stated that our branch supports the movement urging the substitution of open channels by pipeline.
The 2006 water situation was critical.
On April 30, 2009, the Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Hopetoun Pump Station was opened.
GWM acknowledged the CWA by naming the station, the Hopetoun Country Women’s Association Pump Station and in 2010, the GWM pipeline was completed to this area.
GWM Water recognised Hopetoun CWA for their foresight, claiming that the mission had been completed.
Empty shop windows used for displays at Easter, Anzac Day, Mother's and Father's Day, Christmas and special events – wool display.
More than 100 people attended the Hopetoun CWA's 70th birthday celebration, with state president Noela McLeod presenting service certificates to members.
Letters of support for retention of public phone box in Lascelles Street, parking time zones in CBD.
Motion regarding water-saving taps in new buildings.
Request to Shire to install cigarette butt receptacles in CBD.
Supported toilets for Corrong Homestead.
Efforts to retain Mallee Research Station, Walpeup, supported the proposed Community Gym by Secondary College Year 9 Alpine School students; a History grant was obtained to digitise Hopetoun CWA minute books, and a Federal Government grant for equipment – fridge, table and crockery.
Delivered fruit donated from Swan Hill to drought-affected families.
Ran “Birds in the Bush” day, a health and wellbeing day and distributed goods.
More than 100 people attend our annual Australia Day breakfasts, and we support the Anzac and Remembrance Day services by laying wreaths and support with refreshments.
Community minded
On March 20, 2009, a heat wave hit Hopetoun, with temperatures exceeding 35°. for 15 consecutive days.
Treaching a high of the branch, purchase was declared at the newly developed hospital complex.
Library books donated to schools.
An annual encouragement award at Hopetoun Secondary College.
Young Ambassador Award and craft aggregate for 15 – 18-year-olds, and Showgirl at the Hopetoun Show.
Branch minute books sent to CWA archives.
Twenty-four baby wraps were sent to Saibai Clinic, along with rugs, beanies, scarves, squares, knitting supplies, and school requirements. Donations were made to the Scouts, the Lake Committee, the Historical Society, and the Black Saturday fund.
On February 7, 2009, Hopetoun reached a temperature of 48.8°C.
A letter of support to Iluka for mineral sands to be loaded on rail from Hopetoun.
Sister branches and numerous contacts and visitations to Sheridan (Kyabram) for two years, and currently Darling Junction, Wentworth CWA branch.
Governor of Victoria, David de Kretser, and his wife, Jan, CWA patron, visited Hopetoun on September 16, 2009.
CWA members attended Lake Lascelles for the activation of the first piped water savings project in recreational lakes.
A volunteer grant was received for a new barbecue and shade structure next to the Hopetoun Memorial Hall garden, which was completed in September 2010.
Branch members actively attend Group conferences, where our branch resolutions are contributed and often then presented to the State Conference.
The State AGM and Conference are a highlight in our year with our delegates and members.
The branch celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 2015, acknowledging its 17 current members who have served CWA, their community, and further afield for a total of 401 years, with nine of those members serving between 33 and 50 years.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to all members, acknowledging this outstanding service.