1980's - Awards, Recognition and Rural Advocacy

The CWA of WA was monumented into the Western Australian Hall of Fame in 1980, during the WA Citizen of the Year ceremony. In recognition of over 55 years of significant contributions to rural and metropolitan communities, CWA of WA was presented with the Gold Swan Award for outstanding community service. State President, Irene Hooper, and the ACWW President of the South Pacific Area, Pat Smeeten, collected the award.

The Rural Information Service project launched in 1988, under the administration of the CWA Of WA.  The service ensured welfare information was made available to families and communities in rural and isolated areas. This state-wide program was a larger project from the original Rural Crisis Information, and was funded by a family package grant, from the state government, to help combat the rural recession. 

The CWA continued to advocate for changes in policies affecting rural communities in the mid 1980’s. Discussions and consultation with Federal and State Government departments included topics of mobile health services, fuel costs and freight inequities, special education and marriage guidance counselling.

Wesfarmers Rural continued their generous support to CWA of WA during the 1980’s, including the annual Perth Royal Show.  In 1985, CWA was invited to relocate to the prestigious Wesfarmers pavilion, providing greater attention towards CWA displays and advocacy to support the rural recession. CWA has been part of the Perth Royal Show since the early 1930’s, firstly catering for breakfast and other meals, then moving into parcel minding, cooking and craft demonstrations as well as displays of home industries, international work, and hospital contributions.