The Country Women's Association

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) has been a cornerstone of rural Australian life for over a century. Founded in 1922 at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney, the organisation was created by women who recognised the urgent need for connection, support, and services in isolated country communities.

The CWA hall in Batlow

At the time, rural women faced enormous challenges: poor medical access, limited education for their children, and almost no public infrastructure. Many endured harsh conditions on remote farms, often with no electricity, running water, or nearby neighbours. The CWA provided a vital lifeline, offering not just social support but also practical assistance, health information, and advocacy.

Members raised funds to build restrooms for women and children in country towns, set up baby health clinics, and campaigned for improved rural hospitals and roads. The organisation expanded rapidly, with branches forming across all Australian states and territories throughout the 1920s and ’30s.

The Morongla Mechanics Institute Building is also a CWA hall

While the CWA is often associated with scones and tea, its legacy runs much deeper. Its members have long been grassroots activists, lobbying governments on issues such as drought relief, mental health, domestic violence, and rural education.

My first encounter with the CWA was when my family was on holiday on the Gold Coast when I was 9 years old. The CWA ran a tea room, and my parents would often call in for a cup of tea and a biscuit.