The Sun of February 18, 1928 reported that CWA Yass Branch “have every reason to be proud of the new rest room and first baby health centre”, which had been officially opened several days before in rooms above Woodhills Pharmacy.
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This followed on from the formation of the Yass Branch of the Country Womens’ Association (CWA) less than two years before on April 12, 1924 at a meeting on the veranda of the Mechanics Institute.
One of the first office bearers was Mary Yeo whose involvement continued until her death on May 12, 1954.
CWA was first formed in Crookwell in 1922 to focus on the welfare and improving conditions for women and children in country Australia. So provision of a rest room for rural women coming to Yass met a very practical need.
The NSW Health department provided equipment and appointed Sister Small as the first sister in charge of the baby health centre.
A perceived need for ground floor accommodation to give easier access to women with babies led to moving the CWA rooms and baby health centre to the old Telegraph Office in 1938.
Goulburn architect EC Manfred supervised the costly alterations and extensions were needed requiring fundraising by Yass CWA.
In 1952, an eviction notice from the Old Telegraph Office was served. Fortunately the Armstrong family from Murrumbateman provided funds to purchase a new site in Banjo Paterson Park. In April 1959, the foundation stone for the Mary Yeo Memorial Rooms was laid.
The new CWA rooms and Baby Health Centre were opened in September that year.
Sister Rae Burgess began working with the new centre in 1960, and her involvement continued until her retirement in 1974.
Yass CWA has also been involved in the community and in community issues in a wide variety of other ways.
The Yass Courier reported on September 3, 1928 that CWA members were asked to bring eggs to their meeting to donate to Yass Hospital.
At the CWA Conference October 13, 1940 the Yass Tribune reported that Mary Yeo from Yass had put forward a motion requesting consideration of housing in post-war reconstruction.
On March 8, 1954 Yass Tribune reported a donation to a CWA holiday house at Keera for outback mothers and children in the midst of its own fundraising for the Yass Baby Health Centre.
The CWA Rooms remain in Banjo Paterson Park, and work continues with women and children through Anglicare, now located in what was the baby health clinic.
- To find out more about the Yass & District Historical Society go to www.yasshistory.org.au.