1970’s - Support for vulnerable citizens

CWA of WA proudly opened a residential camp school for aboriginal girls in the late 1960’s. Called “Learn to Live Together”, the camp offered lessons in hygiene and beauty, personal development and handicraft. During these camps, students were shown places of interest in the capital city of Perth. Education and training soon expanded in the early 1970’s to include workshops on communication and leadership qualities.

The building of units for the retired and elderly became a focus in the early 1970’s, in regional centres of Albany, Geraldton and Rockingham as well as the metropolitan foothills of Lesmurdie.

• Nine units were opened in 1972 at Bluff Point Lodge in Geraldton, within walking distance of churches, shops and beaches. Within two years, another six units were added.
• A similar sea-side project of seventeen units were opened in 1973 in Albany. Fondly known as Southcoast Lodge, these residences were built for a cost of $135,000.

• Cockburn Lodge, Rockingam opened in 1966 with nine units, and was built with the assistance under the Aged Person’s Homes Act.
• The State Government made 4.5 acres of crown land available to CWA of WA in 1973, for the largest aged care project, named Sunshine Park, located in Lesmurdie.Plans included 36 self-contained units, a frail aged home to accommodate 32 guests, staff quarters and a small hospital. Stage One opened in December 1973.

The first (of three) Mobile Education Resource Vehicles were donated to the Education Department of WA in 1978 for child education in regional and remote areas.