The Australian Women's Register

A national federation of the existing Australian state-based Country Women’s Associations was first proposed in 1928. Discussion continued the following year with the formation of the first international rural women’s organisation-the Associated Country Women of the World. But the state organisations were wary of losing their independence and identity to a national body. These fears and problems were resolved during several wartime meetings and the Country Women’s Association of Australia was officially founded in 1945. It was agreed that the federal body would consult with all state organisations on issues of policy and that the presidency, and annual national conference, would rotate between the states. The foundation president was Mrs Helen Marfell, then the Victorian state president.

In each state, numerous local branches formed in rural areas, and metropolitan branches were also formed. There were considerable differences between the various state branches in terms of their activities and priorities. The National body, however, allowed concerted action on issues on which there was general consensus.

The CWA is a generally conservative organisation with an almost exclusively white membership. Historically, it was, however, also a progressive force in many ways. Particularly in its encouragement of country women to take an active part in public affairs. It has also been outspoken on environmental issues. As early as 1936, for example, the NSW branch passed a resolution in favour of equal pay for women. Although advocating a greater public role for country women, the organisation also in many ways defended traditional gender roles.

Early issues which attracted the attention of the national body in the 1940s included: the provision of basic utilities in rural areas; provision of home nursing; married women’s right to retain their own nationality; the introduction of domestic science into the university curriculum. More recent concerns have been rural poverty and unemployment, and strengthening rural families. As of 2004, its aims are ‘to improve the conditions for country women and children and try to make life better for women and their families, especially those women in rural and remote Australia.’ Its functions are:
1. To enable the Member Associations to speak with one voice on national and international matters through the National President.
2. To represent the concerns of Member Associations to the federal Government, Non-Government Organisations (NGO’S) and other national bodies.
3. To do such lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the above aims or any one of them, as considered necessary or desirable by the required majority of Member Associations.

And its aims and objectives are:
TO RAISE the standard of living of rural women and families through education, training and community development programmes.

TO PROVIDE practical support to its members and help them set up income generating schemes.

TO GIVE rural women a voice at international level through its links with UN agencies.

Given its national scope, large membership and longevity, it was arguably the most influential Australian women’s organisation of the twentieth century. The organisation flourished in the years after WWII when many other urban women’s groups went into decline. It is only in recent years that its position has become somewhat less secure-with the emergence of other rural women’s organisations. Nevertheless, as of 2004, the Associated Country Women of the World (with which the Country Women’s Association of Australia is affiliated) is the largest international organisation for rural women in the world with around nine million members across 70 countries.