A group of ladies met at a clearing sale in March of 1936, and it was suggested to them that they should form a branch of the Country Women’s Association at Pleasant Hills. A notice was placed in Mr S Klemke’s store inviting the ladies of the district to a meeting at the Pleasant Hills Literary Institute on 16th April 1936.
Mrs F A Burton was elected 1st President of the newly formed branch, Mrs J Bunyan, Secretary, Mrs A Lindner, Treasurer. The branch held flower shows to augment their funds in the first few years. Their efforts doubled when war broke out in 1939. The Australian Comforts Fund was one of their main money-raising objectives. Camouflage nets were made and sheepskins were collected to make vests for the RAAF. After the War many food parcels were sent to Britain.
The Literary Institute or “Hall” as it is fondly known, built around 1910 of local pine milled on a property close to Pleasant Hills, has always held pride of place as one of the objectives of the branch. Over many years, the branch has added amenities to the hall for the use of all.
Handicrafts have been a pleasure to many, while the branch has quite a reputation for their entertaining items at music and drama over the years. Over the last decade the branch has given liberally to the CWA Club in Sydney and to the group projects each year.
Source: Pleasant Hills Branch CWA “Golden Jubilee Recipe Book” 1936-1986. By Fiona Beckett.