CWA 90th Birthday Lunch

We will be sending invitations to other CWA Branch Members. Any members or past members of our CWA and any interested residents who would like to attend are most welcome. 

Please contact Barbara Camiller Braidwood CWA President on 4842 8051 or Margaret Shea Secretary on 4842 2874 for more information.

The following Extract is from from the Goulburn Evening Post 12/19/1972

Braidwood branch started in 1925 - Braidwood branch of the Country Women’s Association was opened in 1925 with Mrs L.Chapman in the chair. Mrs J.McKellar was Secretary and Mrs Chaseling was Treasurer. Mesdames V Ryrie and CE Prell of Goulburn, L Goodhew of Crookwell and Miss M Yeo of Yass attended the meeting. 

For a number of years members moved from one rented place to another to hold their meetings. 

When Mrs Jj Roberts was elected president in 1933 the main objects of the branch were catering, helping families in need, the hospital and CWA hospitals. 

Mrs J Roberts died in 1934 and Mrs JF Hyland was elected President. 

At that time the branch had a credit balance of 241 pounds and a membership of 109. 

On 1935 it was decided to build a Memorial Rest Room and baby health centre in memory of Mrs Roberts. 

The secretary wrote to council about a block of land next to the Post Office which belonged to council to see what could be done about acquiring it. 

With the land in hand a tender was let for 75 pounds in 1936 to a local builder. The secretary was to inquire about cost of materials. 

Mrs M Sawyer, the then State President, opened the Rooms in August 1936. 

A ball followed - the price of each ticket was five shillings. 

The baby health centre opened the same year but did not function for long. 

It was reopened in 1947 by CE Smith with Sister Hardy in charge, and has remained open since. 

The rooms cost 485 pounds to build- and $1200 to have water connected and two toilets built in 1966. 

The rooms were enlarged in 1944 and an extra room built for the baby health centre. 

In 1937 it was decided to change the tenure of the holding from conditional lease too conditional purchase. The deeds were received in 1944.

The Rooms were used for a wholehearted effort during the second World War. Afternoon teas and dances were held. 

Other activities included the making of camouflage nets, sewing for Red Cross and comfort funds, manning observation posts and goods to many other outside war efforts. 

Two younger sets were formed during the years, but both had to be closed because of the girls leaving town to obtain employment and to live. 

Mrs B Baxter donated the flag in the Rooms in memory of her nephew Mr B Roberts who was killed in action during the war. The rooms were built in memory of his mother. 

Branch Patron Mrs A Royds, was President for 13 years altogether. 

She also was group resident for three years and a member of the central council for two years. 

At the Branch’s 21st Birthday Party and council meeting in 1946, Mrs Royds was given a life membership badge. 

Miss M Yeo was guest speaker. 

While Mrs Royds was in office she opened the Captains Flat and Tarago Branches.

Braidwood Branch has “adoptees” from Kenmore Hospital who are given birthday and Christmas presents. 

The branch also helps with the Kenmore Christmas party and gives donations of money towards the party and barbeque each year. 

Technical fashion classes have been held in the rooms each week for a number of years. 

The Golden Jubilee Group conference will be held at Braidwood tomorrow. The branch will then celebrate 47 years of service.”