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R.S.L. WOMEN'S AUXILIARY

The Ladies Auxiliary Sub-Branch was formed on June 29 1934. In the following years this group included some very dynamic ladies who seemed to have endless energy and ideas for fundraising and social activities. Mrs Rowe, despite losing her husband John in 1941 continued to work tirelessly for the Sub Branch and received the State League’s Certificate of Service awarded in 1938. Stalls, raffles, morning teas, competitions, dances, etc were organised regularly. Members included Mrs Venning, Rowe, Mrs Dawson, F. Garnett, Miss Austin, Miss Porteous, Edgley, (this list is not yet complete). During World War II (1939-1945) the RSL and the Ladies Auxilliary were particularly active.
 

 

TROPIES AWARDED TO GNOWANGERUP R.S.L. LADIES AUXILIARY
 

Some of the activities and achievements:
Anzac Day – serving morning tea after the dawn service
The Donation of a Replica of the State War Memorial to the RSL Sub Branch –December 1938
Organising the Annual Dinner which was followed by musical items and dancing until midnight
The Wilson and Hopperton Cups – the Wilson Cup for the most meritorious years work in the country branches of Western Australia, the Hopperton for the metropolitan area. Gnowangerup was awarded the Wilson Cup in 1938 and 1950.
The award of the ‘Country Cup’. This was awarded to a West Australian town for the best displays at Anzac House, the RSL Headquarters in Perth. The town with the most prizes won. Gnowangerup’s Record: 1934 Third; 1935 Second; 1936 First; 1937 First; 1938 First; 1939 Second; 1940 Second; 1941 First. Exhibits included handicrafts, wool exhibits and bottled fruit.
The provision of supper –following every RSL Sub Branch Meeting. Served in the supper room.
The Hospital Ward Committee--- Each month two members would be rostered to visit patients in the local hospital. Cakes, biscuits and other foodstuffs were donated to the hospital regularly. At the time the hospital was largely self-funded and needed local support to provide food for the patients.
Annual Poppy Day Appeal – 700 poppies were sold in 1938 which was the fourth highest amount in the State.

 


 

THE GNOWANGERUP LADIES AUXILIARY c1940's
Rear:  Mrs. DORIS THOMPSON, Mrs. MABEL FREEGARD, Mrs. DOROTHY WHIITE
Middle;  Mrs. EDGLEY, Mrs. DOROTY STEWART, Mrs. FENNELL, Mrs. MARY JANE HEAD
Seated:   Mrs. EVALINE ROWE, Mrs. BAMEL DOLLEY
 

The Children’s Poster Ball – prizes for the Best Dressed Boy & Girl. Over 60 children participated in 1937.
The Children’s Decorated Vehicles Parade - annual event held late in the year
The Miscellaneous Evening – raising money for the hospital, involved singing and musical items, recitations etc.
The Community Concert – held every second month involving music and song, raising money for the football club and the Gnowangerup P&C. Donations paid for tools to be used for manual training.
The Great Southern Re-Union Dinner – catered for on several occasions by Mrs Head.
The Carnival Ball – held at the end of December
A ‘Little Party’ – held in the supper room, musical items and supper provided, funds were donated to the hospital.
The Trench Comforts Committee provided items for ‘comfort packages’ to send to the front. These included many home-made items: knitted socks, balaclavas, mufflers, scarves, cardigans, pullovers, gloves, mittens, knee caps, bed socks, and hot water bag covers. Also newspapers, books, magazines. At Christmas in 1940 a 10 shilling voucher was sent to every soldier who had enlisted from the district.
The Goose Club – members donated a diverse range of items from legs of lamb; 12 day old chicks; a tin of Minties or a 10 shilling note to be raffled as fund raisers.
Monthly Cake Stall
Monthly Produce Stall
Bridge Evenings
Picnic and Sports Days at the Swimming Pool
Essay Competitions for children
In addition members raised funds for the new hospital opened in Gnowangerup in 1935. Funds were also raised and donated to other charities: the Lemnos Hospital, the Lucknow Hospital, the Edward Millen Home, the Returned Men at the Old Men’s Home and widows at the Old Ladies Home.
 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

References:                 Article:      

                                  Image:     Gnowangerup R.S.L.

 


Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023