DUIDGEEANA (From the Nyungar language - Duidgee, a place of plenty)

The Newsletter of the Toodyay Historical Society Inc. Issue No.47 (Winter 2017)

For more about us see our new website: http://www.toodyayhistoricalsociety.org.au/

AUGUST EXCURSION TO WATTENING Sunday August 27, 2pm to 7pm

(Photo: Fernlea, Robyn Taylor, 2003)

We will be visiting the historic Fernlea homestead,

owned by the Ludemann family, at 3210 Bindi Bindi-Toodyay Road, Wattening.

Leaving Drummond House at 2pm for car pool. Please bring afternoon tea to share.

Members can choose to continue to the Boshack Outback Wilderness Farm,

the Brockhurst property, located at 640 Wattening Spring Road,

for a tour of the paperbark forest ($15 p/p),

Boshack camp tour with a history talk, followed by a

roast dinner and dessert at the lakeside dining room (BYO - $25 p/p)

RSVP required for Boshack by 22/08/17 or ASAP to

Linda on 0488 098 353 or secretary.2j.ths@gmail.com

Some past events:

Moondyne Festival, Sunday May 7. THS’s new Festival

site outside Drummond House worked perfectly, with

plenty of space for gazebo, tables, Jenny’s Moondyne

Joe display and our green chairs, all easily available

from inside the House. We took over $350 in book and

leaflet sales and donations. Milton encouraged folk to

part with $150 for the privilege of having a photo taken

with Greg’s popular Cartoon Cut-out. As Robyn said: “It

certainly helped having Drummond House as a base, and

people were very appreciative of our plastic chairs set

up in the shade.” Former locals Bernie and Pam Dorizzi

stopped by for a long chat. Right: Milton spruiking. (Photo: B. Frayne, 2017)

Bolgart Railway Extension excursion, Sunday June 25

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Jenny led this fascinating tour which started in town where she talked about the site of the old

railway station, more or less behind the Medical Centre, and how the first sod for the extension was

ceremoniously turned by the Governor in November 1908. The line made its way through town along

what is now Charcoal Lane, past Duidgee Park, and crossed a very substantial timber railway bridge

over the Avon. After a delay when works

uncovered an Aboriginal burial site, the line

eventually made its way up the Toodyay Valley to

Bolgart. Jenny and Joe had walked much of the

Toodyay end of the route using maps and looking

for embankments and other signs of the track. It

made us realise how often we drive past these

traces of the past, not knowing or understanding

what they represent.

Right: Remains of the Railway Bridge over the Avon

River, near Toodyay. (Photo: Joe Edgecombe, 1996)

One of the highlights was

viewing what Jenny believes

must be the location of market

gardener Charles Soong Yock

Lunn’s homestead and Lunn’s

Landing at Coondle. The landing

was made to carry the produce

from his Evergreen Garden

Orchard to market.

Above: Enjoying afternoon tea in St. Philip’s Anglican Church yard, Culham. (Photo: L. Rooney, 2017)

We ended the tour at Culham Church to enjoy afternoon tea, and make the acquaintance of Hosanna

the goanna, who didn’t bat an eyelid at our intrusion. Perhaps it was hibernating. The sanctuary carpet

did look comfortable, and with tail and head draped lazily over the top step, it seemed to be in

seventh heaven.

Excursion to Egoline, Monday July 17:

This was an unplanned chance to be taken on a

tour of the historic Egoline homestead on the

Northam-Toodyay Road. Former owners Leonie

and Greg Randle were preparing the place for a

monster garage sale and invited us to have a look

through.

The property was originally taken up by Richard

Hinds (1837), then by John Sewell (1854), the

Wilkerson family (1870), the Walsh family, and

the Sharman family (1986-1992).

Right: On the verandah of the 1917 homestead,

with owner Leonie third from the right. (Photo: Joe Edgecombe, 2017)

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There are three sections to the main homestead, dating from the 1850s, 1870 and 1917, with a small

cottage being added in 1933 and a studio for farmer/artist Justin Walsh, who taught himself to be a

sculptor then focussed on metalwork. The owners previous to the Randles started the B and B

business.

A night of Toodyay Nostalgia

Saturday July 29 was a night at the movies with vintage films in and

around Toodyay presented by Jenny Edgecombe. There was footage of

local historical sites, THS activities and Toodyay events from 1940s.

Highlights were trailers and footage from Shame (1987) one of

Australia’s classic films, and Zombie Brigade (1988). Both were filmed

in Toodyay – no mistaking the front verandah of the Freemasons’ Hotel

where the local yokels hung out!

Right: The Zombie Brigade poster.

There has been considerable interest around town by those who

couldn’t attend and we are hopeful to have a repeat in summer. In the

meantime, look these films up on the web for more fascinating details.

Anyone notice the caption under the photo of our group at Egoline

in the August edition of the Herald? ‘Nostalgia night revives the

Zombie Brigade’ – I’m sure the editor just couldn’t resist using that

headline. I’m working on a suitable response. (Ed)

Annual Raffle, 7 and 8 July, outside Toodyay IGA

Over $500 was raised, on two very cold days, with an extra $100 taken in book sales. Many thanks to

Linda, Peter, Robyn, Beth, Jenny, Joe, Milton, Colin, Desrae, Wayne and Prim for volunteering their

time. Passer-by Graham Cardell kindly drew the winning raffle tickets.

Left: Milton, Graham, Robyn and Peter, during the draw.

(Photo, with Graham’s permission, Beth Frayne, 2017).

Many thanks to Robyn for contacting the winners.

Results (for the record): Scratchies: 1st ($50 worth):

Red D 064; 2nd ($30 worth): Red D 006; 3rd ($20

worth): Black C 27. Gift prizes: 1st (Blue wren glass

sculpture, donated to THS): Blue B 21; 2nd (Set of

three framed prints of York (UK), donated by Jenny

via Affiliated Societies Committee): Green E 23; 3rd

(Duidgee Dappit stuffed rabbit, donated by Beth

Frayne): Blue B 07.

BIG WELCOME to new member Jacqui Graham, hoping to come to live in Toodyay, soon.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Toodyay CWA’s 90th: On 22 June, members representing THS were invited to join the CWA in

celebrating its 90th birthday. What a great day it turned out to be with the ladies dressed in their

best vintage finery and re-enacting their 1927 foundation meeting. Beth, the renowned Chronicler of

Chronologies, produced a well-researched history which she presented to the President. Beth has

kindly agreed to write a summary for ToodyaYesterday (see back section).

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Art Exhibition: ‘Artists’ Voices from Shire of Toodyay Art Collection’ was held in the Old Wicklow

Shearing Shed on Sunday 30 April as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival. This was the

second time the Shire’s art collection has been made accessible to the public. Curated by Shire

Museum Curator, Margie Eberle, the exhibition included some works of considerable historic interest

such as the illuminated address (1928) commissioned from artist Richard Fellows and presented to

Mrs. Catherine Somers, widow of former Mayor of Newcastle, Jonathon Somers. THS President

Robyn gave a welcome and introduction. Margie created an informative Exhibition Catalogue.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Margaret Medcalf Award: On 28 June, several members attended the presentation of this Award

held at the State Library Theatre in Perth. Member Alison Cromb’s book The Road to Toodyay had

been nominated. Although not the winner, her nomination is a great honour, and recognition of her

dedicated research using the resources of the State Records Office. Robyn and Linda attended as

THS reps. Jenny Edgecombe and Margie Eberle were also there, and of course we all cheered when

the new Minister for Heritage David Templeman made a point of referring to Alison’s book because of

his early association with the Avon region.

Promotion panel and banners:

Linda Rooney has been busy

producing a beautiful THS panel

for the ‘new’ Toodyay Information

Bay and also came back from a

working holiday in Bali with new

BIG banners advertising Donegan’s

Cottage and Drummond House.

Right: Linda’s Information Bay panel.

FamilyHistoryWA Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/FamilyHistoryWA/): This is a newish

Facebook page created on 21 Jan. 2017, which is described as an Open Group for people to contact

others with an interest in Family History worldwide and in Western Australia, associated with the

WA Genealogical Society and has expert advice available to the users of the group.

Copyright Amendment Bill: Good news for all researchers. The Parliament of Australia has passed

the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017. From 1 January 2019,

unpublished materials will now be out of copyright 70 years after the

death of the creator. Amongst the benefits – libraries and other

collecting institutions will be able to make ‘preservation copies’ of

material in their collections such as manuscripts. (Source: HistoryWest,

August 2017 newsletter of the Royal WA Historical Society)

New Toodyay research book: At the 4 April THS AGM, Robyn launched

Vice-President Peter Robinson’s labour of love: “Toodyay Families 1836-

1900”. Peter created a 4-part alphabetical list, from various sources, of

the names and details of people who have had some contact with

Toodyay (Newcastle) from 1836 to around 1900, to help researchers

find family members with Toodyay connections. Bound laminated copies

are held in Donegan’s Cottage, Drummond House and the Shire Museum.

Left: Robyn and Peter at the launch of “Toodyay Families” in the Anglican Hall.

(Photo: B. Frayne, 2017)

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Oral History update - Linda and Robyn have now received their Qualification Certificates following

the two-day oral history course funded by THS. Linda is working on the copyright agreement

document and policies that need to be in place when interviews are undertaken by members. An issue

that has arisen with advances in technology is making the recordings and transcripts available on line.

While THS may not go down this track for some time, the State Library of WA is now requesting this

be covered in the permission forms that accompany our lodgement of oral histories.

VALE

Mrs Lynette Mattin

Former member Lyn Mattin died on 20 July 2017, in Perth, WA. Her husband Robert (Bob) and son

Andrew are currently members of THS. Lyn had formed many friendships in Toodyay, whilst living in

the Old Toodyay Hospital, Henry Street, where Bob ran his chiropractic business in 1979-2012. Lyn (a

former naturopath) and Bob were founding members of the Toodyay Society; Bob serving as its

inaugural President 1980-1982, while Lyn was a Committee member 1980-1981. They continued their

involvement in 1980-1985 and 1987-1993. Bob and Andrew rejoined THS in 2016.

Mrs Joy Wood

Widow of former THS Patron the late Hector Wood, Joy (Jocelyn) Wood (nee Pearce) died on 18

June 2017 in St. John’s Murdoch, Perth. Joy was the mother of Michael Wood, of Coorinja.

We send our condolences to both the Mattin and Wood families.

FEATURE SPEAKERS – talks presented before our monthly meetings

Inaugural State Heritage & History Conference, Perth Concert Hall, 11–12 May: by Robyn

Taylor, 17 May 2017. Robyn gave a talk about the conference, themed ‘Connections’, which was huge

with 7 keynote speakers and 63 speakers presenting at 4 concurrent sessions. A wide range of topics

relating to the theme was covered.

River Training Scheme: by Wayne Clarke, 19 July 2017. Wayne presented a fascinating talk

about the history of attempts to solve the problem of the Avon River floods that periodically

threatened, and flooded, the towns established along its banks. It was a European custom to locate

new settlements along rivers regardless of the fact they were often within the floodplain. ‘Rather

than moving away from the river, the option was to change the river’s impact.’ (Wayne Clarke, notes dated

January 2010) Thus the River Training Scheme (RTS) came into being during the late 1950s, a scheme

that had a drastic and negative impact on the river system.

Wayne talked about the efforts of local farmer Jim Masters OAM, an inaugural member of the

Toodyay Friends of the River, who tried unsuccessfully to prevent the RTS, which didn’t cease

operations until the 1970s. Attempts to restore the river began in the 1990s through community

effort and the establishment of the Avon River System Management Committee. Since then, there

has been a chequered history in relation to managing the river with various committees and

departments being established and replaced and always it seems, the lack of sustained government

commitment and funding. Regardless of these drawbacks, community groups along the Avon remain

optimistic and active in their efforts to gradually improve the health of the river through projects

such as revegetation and increasing public awareness.

Terra Nullius – Cook to Mabo: by Dr Toby Metcalf, 16 August 2017. Toby used an innovative

approach to his talk by first getting us into the swing by providing rap lyrics to tell the story of

James Cook’s 1770 exploration to the southern continent; and the consequence of Terra Nullius

becoming a foundation Crown Law with its non-recognition of Australia’s indigenous people. The legal

aspect of this was far reaching. A Treaty with the Aboriginal people was not considered necessary

because there was no evidence they practiced agriculture in the European sense, thus they weren’t

seen as owning the land on which they lived. Toby also discussed the different attitudes of the

French Captain Nicholas Baudin, who countermanded his instruction from Napoleon to plant the

French flag wherever he could, thus making claim to land for France. Baudin was far more

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sympathetic to the indigenous people he encountered. This was the first part of Toby’s talk and the

second, at a later date, will take us up to and including Mabo.

FROM THE ARCHIVIST – Makeovers and Exploding Cars - Jenny Edgecombe

Donegan’s upgrade plans

We were successful in our bid for an Australian Government Volunteers Grant towards much-needed

upgrading of archival storage and office fittings. With Drummond House now the venue for THS

meetings and functions, we are planning a makeover of Donegan’s Cottage to create a Research Centre

with improved access to our collection. THS has allocated additional funds for this project. Before we

can finalise floor plans and storage purchases, our little archives team is carrying out a basic listing

and boxing of the backlog of material created by the amazing volume of enquiries, research and

collecting activity of the last few years. We will call for assistance when the moving begins!!!

Toodyay ‘Pictures’ research

Internet research and information can disappear without warning or lie buried in tortuous Facebook

and forum pages. When useful or interesting material does appear, I try to record it in some way, as

with our recent Nostalgic Toodyay Movie Night. My research picked up new clips of trailers and other

useful information for the three commercial films made in Toodyay during the 1980s. A request for

help on the Toodyay Photos Facebook page produced delightful reminiscences from locals who had

taken part in these films as extras, or remembered events, such as the blowing up and burning of a

car in a local paddock during an extremely hot part of summer!

On the night, we picked up further reminiscences, and Beth’s and my research had turned up some

more fascinating images such as the Toodyay Community Cinema, active during the 1990s. If you

missed the film night, do call in at Donegan’s Cottage on Toodyay Show day in October. There will be a

display of stills from the commercial films, as well as information and photographs relating to the

history of ‘the pictures’ in Toodyay, and possibly showing segments of local historical films.

Constant flow of enquiries

These additional research and planning activities run as background to a constant flow of enquiries

handled by our research team. Recent enquiries: ‘The Toodyay Tree’ near St. Stephen’s, Braybrook,

Eugenio Vanzetti, Brian Buzzard’s garage and the

location of a Lee home known as the ‘Happy Home’.

We have recently received Brian Buzzard’s fascinating

1997 autobiography, A Gentleman and a Rascal, shelved

in the library at Donegan’s Cottage. He had been a radio

operator on Catalina flying boats and Liberator bombers

during WWII before coming to Toodyay, where he ran

various agencies, including a successful Elders agency. Right: 1957 Mobilgas Rally stop showing Buzzard and Loeper’s

agency on the right, Stirling Terrace. (Photo: R. Erickson

slide, 1957, THS archives)

FUTURE EVENTS Sunday 27 August – Wattening excursion to ‘Fernlea’ and Boshack, 2pm at Drummond House

Friday-Sunday 8-10 September - Affiliated Historical Societies State History Conference, Wanneroo

Wednesday 20 September – General meeting, Drummond House, 7pm

Saturday 7 October – Agricultural Show, THS Display at Donegan’s Cottage

Wednesday 18 October – General meeting, Drummond House, 7pm

Friday 27 October – Sundowner at Connor’s Mill, 6pm

Wednesday 15 November – General meeting, Drummond House, 7pm

Sunday 26 November – Sundowner at Wicklow Shearing Shed, 6pm

Editor: Dr Robyn Taylor – 9574 2578, email: rdtaylor@iinet.net.au

Sub-editor: Beth Frayne – 9574 5971, email: toobide4@iinet.net.au

Toodyay Historical Society Inc, PO Box 32, Toodyay WA 6566

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TOODYAYESTERDAY

Definitely NOT Just Tea and Scones!

Toodyay CWA has been serving the Toodyay community for 90 years, 1927-2017.

By Beth Frayne

The Toodyay Branch of the Country Women’s Association of Western Australia (CWA of WA)

celebrated its 90th Birthday on Thursday, 22 June 2017, with a super party with delicious birthday

cake in the CWA Centre on Stirling Terrace. The State President, Heather Allen, and members from

other branches, were able to join Toodyay members and invited community representatives, including

THS President Robyn and myself.

For this event, I quickly (over a month) wrote a 32-page history booklet for the Toodyay Branch,

which was quite illuminating for me as a non-member, as to what this organisation has achieved for

the Toodyay community. The booklet covers the Branch’s significant events and challenges, and the

women that did the work, but it is too long to even summarise here. So, what follows are some of the

things that I found interesting; a sort of CWA What, When, Where, Who and, most importantly,

Why!

What is the CWA?

Obviously, only women may be members, and most live in the country. The Governor’s wife was

traditionally the Patroness, but currently, the Governor herself is the Patron: Her Excellency the

Hon. Kerry Sanderson AO. The Aim of the CWA of WA (as at 2004) “shall be to improve the well-

being of all people, especially those in country areas by promoting courtesy, cooperation, community

effort, ethical standards and the wise use of resources.” (From the CWA of WA website) Members

discuss issues relating to these aims and raise funds to promote them, both locally and state-wide.

The CWA of WA is now independent of similar CWAs in the other states, and still has about 136

Branches, with more being rejuvenated or newly formed every year. The State body is represented on

many State committees. The organisation has links at national and international level with similar

organisations, such as the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

When did the CWA form?

Country women starting forming organized groups in Canada in 1897. However, in Australia, quite

independently, country women in NSW and Queensland began forming similar groups in 1922, calling

themselves branches of a state-based Country Women’s Association. The word spread to WA in late

1923, resulting in the formation of the CWA of WA in early 1924. Nungarin has the honour of being

the first branch formed, on 22 May 1924, with Bolgart following suit the next month and Calingiri the

following year. So Toodyay folk read all about these CWA developments in their local weekly paper,

the Toodyay Herald.

When did the Toodyay Branch form?

The Toodyay Branch of the CWA of WA held its inaugural meeting on

Saturday, 18 June 1927, but what led to this significant event in

Toodyay’s history? The Editor of the Toodyay Herald suggested the

empty Mechanics’ Institute (our current Library) might be a “restful”

place for Toodyay’s country women and children whilst in town. The

Toodyay Road Board agreed with this suggestion, initially.

Right: Inaugural Secretary/Treasurer Katherine Beard. (Sunday Times, 10

Aug. 1930, p.2: Trove: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58394491)

So, on Saturday, 11 June, Mrs. Katherine Beard (mother of nurse

Alma Beard, then aged 14) convened a meeting of a large group of

women in the Road Board Chambers (now the Foyer of the Memorial

Hall). The CWA State President Mrs. Mabel Craven-Griffiths was

present to explain the aims of the organisation. The first minuted meeting occurred a week later, on

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18 June, in the same place. Mrs. Ada Piesse (who lived at Key Farm with her orchardist husband) was

elected the inaugural President, with Mrs. Katherine Beard (who lived at Hillside farm, Culham, with

her farmer husband) filling the positions of both Secretary and Treasurer.

Toodyay was the 19th CWA branch formed in WA. Of the 18 branches formed prior to 18 June 1927,

only eight of those branches are still functioning. So Toodyay may be said to be the ninth oldest

functioning branch in WA.

Where did the Toodyay Branch meet?

The Branch has had three homes in its lifetime. The first was a room in the front section of the Town

Hall, because the Road Board had moved into the old Mechanics’ Institute itself, by December 1927.

A spate of card parties, balls and other events to raise funds eventually allowed the Branch to rent

and furnish its second home: two rooms owned Mr. H.M. Wroth, at 98 Stirling Terrace, which were

formerly the de-licensed Toodyay Wine

Saloon. These rooms became the first

Toodyay Rest Rooms, opened on 10 May

1928. A caretaker could open the rooms

when required by members and female

visitors.

Left: The first Rest Rooms, to the left of the

power pole, as they looked in 2004. Later, the

rooms were used as Dr. O’Reilly’s surgery and

later still, as THS’s first headquarters.

(Photo: Jenny Edgecombe, 2004)

The last and current home of the Branch is also in Stirling Terrace, over the road on a block bought

by the Branch in 1937, which is now located between the Garden Centre and the Patten house. Made

from elements of the 1927 wood and iron Coondle Memorial Hall, but with a new brick frontage, this

next set of CWA Rest Rooms at 101 Stirling Terrace, was most probably built by Cottesloe master

builder Percy Yates. The Rest Rooms were opened on 6 September 1939, a few days after Australia’s

entry into the Second World War. The building contained two rooms in the front section: a

comfortable Rest Room, with seating, and a Bush Nursing Society bedroom, particularly useful for

overnight stays to catch very early trains to the city. A passage led through to a large room at the

rear, with a lean-to kitchen off that. The partitioning remained in place until the mid 1960s.

From 1942 to 1944, part of the Rest Rooms was made available as an observation post for the

Volunteer Air Observers’ Corps. The 4

December 1943 was a big day for the Branch.

The members held a social in conjunction with

the annual CWA Xmas Rally to mark the

liquidation of the final payment on the bank

loan and overdraft to build the Rest Rooms.

Right: The 1939 Rest Rooms during WW2. (Photo

taken 1940s by Edith Lee, courtesy Gordon Lee).

The CWA Centre, as it is now called, has been

changed, restored and extended several times

over the years. Several sets of toilets have

been built and replaced, with the current set,

off the side verandah, opened in 2001. The original kitchen is now a storeroom. The current kitchen

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and verandah were added in 1964-1965, with fund-raising and community donations paying for various

upgrades over the years. The Centre has always played an important role as a social centre of the

town, but especially so after the December 2009 Toodyay bushfire, for collecting donations, offering

cups of tea and a friendly shoulder, and serving Survivors’ Dinners.

Who were the CWA members?

Members were women from both town and country, mostly married but not always. The CWA has

usually held its meetings in daylight hours (usually a Thursday), which limited the contribution of

working women to some degree. The Branch initially had Executive and Committee positions, then

later, an Executive and various specific responsibility positions, such as

Social Committee, a Reporter, and an International Officer (whose job

was to educate members about the year’s chosen country of interest).

Catering Committees, a Handcraft Co-ordinator, and a Hall caretaker

were required, from time to time.

Left: Current longest serving CWA Toodyay Branch member Mavis Rowles

(now aged 93) and her 60 years’ service certificate, with State President

Sara Kenny. (Photo: CWA archives, 2014)

Membership numbers have varied over the years. Up to the 1950s,

meetings were attended by 20, and sometimes over 30, members at

times. In later years, numbers were maintained between 10 and 20,

with only a reduction in the early 2000s, to less than 10 regulars. But

the Branch has been rejuvenated, with the membership in the 2010s

creeping back up towards 20, again.

In 1930, branches were encouraged to support the development of Younger Sets, often the

daughters of the members, such as Sybil Waller and Alma Beard. These young ladies also did fund-

raising, often via local dances. Toodyay’s Younger Set ran from 1930 to 1933, when its popular

President resigned, and then, it seems, lost its impetus.

The Nunyle locality, east of Toodyay, also formed its own CWA branch, which ran from 1933 to 1946,

meeting in the Nunyle Agricultural Hall. However, the little hall became unsafe, so after the war, and

perhaps when vehicular travel became easier, some members from the disbanded Nunyle Branch, such

as Alma Walton and Edith Twine, joined the Toodyay Branch.

Many of the Branch’s Presidents stepped up for several terms. Gertrude Gadsdon, who ran the Key

Farm Guesthouse, was the leader for six years (1937-1943) in the period when the current CWA

Centre was built. Mavis Jefferys served several terms in the 1950s, and again in the 1980s. Phyllis

Wood also served two terms in the 1980s, as did Rita Harrison and Maxine Walker in the 21st century.

Current President Judith Walton, a retired farmer, having worked with her late husband David, is now

in her third term as President, with her previous terms occurring in 1986-89 and 1999-2002. Judith

has served in practically all positions in the Branch over the years, having joined in 1979.

Along with Alice Adamson, Margaret Campbell and Mavis Rowles, Judith took her CWA commitment to

a higher level, filling positions at the CWA Divisional level. Alice Adamson, who was Toodyay’s

Secretary in 1988-1990, later moved on and served as the CWA State President in 2009-2010. A

CWA of WA Hon. Life Member, Alice recently passed away in July 2017.

CWA Members’ service is recognised by the awarding of Loyal Service Badges, every 10 years.

Toodyay Branch has many such members, some having been presented with their 60 Years’ service

badges, such as Miriam Geary (in 1997) and Mavis Rowles (in 2014). Mavis joined the Toodyay Branch

in 1952, and served as President in 1974-77 and in most other positions as well. Dot Hasson, Nance

Leaver and Doreen Watson all earned their 50 Years’ service badges, at various times.

Toodyay Branch Executive holders are recorded on an Honour Board, unveiled in 1996, a gift from Dot

Hasson and Margot Hodge. Members who died in Toodyay are also honoured on a Deceased Members

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Memorial Board, suggested and organised in 1990 by Lyn Hammer and her husband Jack (both also

former members of THS).

What does the Toodyay Branch do?

The amount and variety of activities undertaken by Branch members is staggering, when you drill

down into the CWA minute books, so kindly photographed for the Branch by the Shire Museum and

shared with THS. We all know that CWA members are great cooks, and cater for many local events

and visiting groups. The number of groups hiring the Hall is phenomenal. Every CWA branch

celebrates its Birthday (in June, in Toodyay’s case), and carloads go off to neighbouring Branches for

their special events.

Toodyay’s CWA women, over the last 90 years, have been given the opportunity to increase their

meeting participation and management skills, as well as learning new handcraft skills, which assist with

the required fund-raising activities. Socializing and helping each other is an important and often

critical service for country communities to be able to prosper and be happy. CWA members certainly

know how to have fun. Most years, delegates have taken to the annual Divisional and State CWA

Conferences, Branch members’ opinions on the various motions to be presented. This practice makes

sure members are up-to-speed with the latest issues relevant to the health and welfare of women and

children and country residents in general.

Other Toodyay CWA achievements that caught my attention:

Placed an Anzac wreath on the Toodyay Memorial, since 1929;

Donated a Sylvia Stretcher to the Toodyay Hospital in 1929 (now

on show in the Shire Museum);

Contributed recipes that are still in the CWA cookery book;

Ran Flower Shows from 1958 to 1967, sometimes twice a year;

Hosted briefly the Flag of the Associated Country Women of the

World, and showed off the district to ACWW international

conference delegates in 1974;

Ran Seminars and entered Quests;

Awarded local school home economics scholarships since 1993;

Created Toodyay Show displays since 1961 and donated annual

trophies to the Toodyay Show since 1982;

Right: Toodyay CWA mascot Netti (created by Vivien Street) at the

2011 CWA Toodyay Show Day display. (CWA archives, 2011)

Won the Hilda Evans Memorial Shield for Handcrafts in 1976,

which Beverley Branch brought to the recent 90th Birthday;

Adopted Northam Branch as a younger sister branch in 1930, then, later, Bayswater Branch as a

sister city branch in 1987;

Entered floats into sundry Toodyay parades, and donated town seats and a Cemetery Gazebo;

Assisted Tidy Towns and Adopt-a-Spot activities;

Honoured the assistance of residents such as the late Dr.

Richard Walkey and Sean Byron in making the Hall a more

comfortable place in 2010-2015;

Enjoyed dressing up at the drop of a hat!

Left: Glenys Clabaugh (Hall Bookings Officer), Mavis Rowles

(Games Officer), Judith Walton (President) with CWA State

President Heather Allen. The Toodyay women are dressed in 1927

couture, for their 1927 first meeting re-enactment. (Photo: V.

Street, 2017)

NB. I have a 260 page 2-part reference chronology that supports the facts presented above.