1950’s - Population growth in metropolitan and regional centres

The early fifties saw a decline of rural farming families and CWA branches, though an increase in membership within Perth and regional centers. This movement was in-part caused by mechanisation replacing some workmen for large-scale productions. It was also a result of the increase in both wide-spread car ownership and sealed roads, allowing rural owners more frequent and long-distance travel.

CWA of WA advocated for rural education by continuing to open more student boarding hostels. The Albany Girls Hostel, named The Rocks, opened in 1950 and the Bunbury Girls Hostel opened in 1952. Prior to this, hostels had been opened in Northam’s Adamson House in 1939, Albany Boys in 1945, Bunbury Boys Craig House in 1945. Narrogin Hostel for boys and girls, called Caloona House, opened in 1962. These hostels gave opportunities to children from rural farms and remote stations for a higher education without the expense of private schooling and allowed a smoother cultural transition from the land to a regional centre.

Isolated women living remote stations were able to connect with other women by the opening of the first CWA of WA Air Branches in Gascoyne and Kimberley in 1956 (followed by air branches in Mid-west, Pilbara and Goldfields).

The CWA of WA further assisted isolated women and families living on remote stations by the purchase of Air Strip Cottages at Derby and Onslow in 1956. These cottages provided shelter and resting facilities to aid families waiting for air travel.