Country Women's Association of WA > Records

Seaside Cottages Busselton April 1972

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1972

Subcollections

Country Women's Association of WA: State Significance

Historical information

The Country Women’s Association of WA Inc purchased the property and house thereon at Ford Road, Busselton on November 18, 1938. The house contained a dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom with a large verandah, some of which was enclosed with asbestos and lattice. Electricity was laid on and there were rainwater tanks. The CWA Cottages were officially opened by State President, Mrs Archie Burt in December 1938 with the aim of providing the benefit of a holiday by the sea at a moderate cost to country women, who otherwise might not be able to afford a change from the stress of everyday life. In 1941 a kitchen was built at one end and the house divided into two flats, but it was not until 1944 that a new bathroom was added. From 1943-1954 the local CWA branches operated a Happy Holiday Scheme which enabled country children (mainly from timber mills, dairy farmers) to have a holiday by the sea in January. Swimming lessons were the main attraction with bus trips and pictures and fishing also available. In September each year the flats were used for holidays for elderly members with bus trips and entertainment all organized by local branches. By 1969 the small house had become three flats and later two new flats with provision for the handicapped. These were opened by State President Pat Smeeton in 1979. When the the original home deteriorated and the Council expressed grave concerns for the condition of the wiring, CWA State Council made the decision to demolish in 1986 however it was not until 1993 that the three new spacious units and caretaker’s flat, which were designed to cater for the disabled, were officially opened by State President Mrs Barbara Dinnie in May 1994.The property was sold 2019-20.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-213-2089

Item type

Photographs

Year

1972

Geotag

-33.64563944499, 115.3583663

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Country Women's Association of WA

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