Civic organisations

Country Women’s Association

Added 24 Jun 2010 | Added by: Linda Giddy | Last updated 10 Sep 2013 by Linda Giddy

Contact: Secretary: Mrs Joyce Simpson

Phone: (03) 5682 2147 BH and AH

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria is part of the largest women’s organisation in Australia. It is a non-party political and non-sectarian organisation for country and city women.  It aims to improve conditions by community service more especially as they affect the welfare of women and children.

Members work for the welfare of all women and children through representation to all levels of government, undertaking fundraising events, providing networking opportunities and teaching life skills.

The Victorian Association was formed on 12 March 1928 and today boasts over 5,000 members. Each member belongs to one of 300 branches state-wide that maintains its own program and is empowered to support community needs.

The Victorian Association is a member of the Country Women’s Association of Australia (CWAA).  Across Australia the Association has more than 25,000 members in 1,500 branches.

The Victorian Association is a member of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), which has non-government organisation status at the United Nations. ACWW has over 9 million members in 62 countries around the world.

Throughout Victoria branches meet monthly to take on any number of initiatives – be it fundraising for causes, lobbying for better services for women and children or helping out in times of emergency and natural disaster, sharing in interest groups to develop skills in areas such as craft, cooking, gardening, singing, dancing, public speaking, photography and others.

The Association continues to achieve and make great contributions to the State, the Country, the South Pacific Area and world-wide projects to improve the living standards of women and children. We encourage new women to join so the Association can continue its work.

The Association continues to lobby Government for improved services and has made submissions on food labeling laws, importation of product regulations, Problem Gambling, foreign ownership of land regulations, transport, education and medical services and much more.

The Association assists in crises and administered funding provided by the Federal Government to assist people in drought. Continual support has been given to those affected by the fires and floods through provision of “pamper packs”, crafted goods and financial support. Emergency and welfare support is provided continually.

Scholarships have been provided since 1946 to assist with education expenses.

Each year the Association raises funds for two selected recipients. In 2013 they are the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust and the “What Can I Do” project in support of the elimination of Family Violence.

The Association maintains representation on:

  • Foodbank Victoria
  • Council on the Ageing (COTA)
  • FarmSafe Victoria
  • Travellers Aid
  • Community Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC)
  • Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria (Health Services Advisory Committee)
  • United Nations Association Australia (Vic) Status of Women Network
  • plus other women’s lobby groups.

The CWA is a diverse organisation with more than tea and scones on the menu!