In the footsteps of pioneering women
Local
A group of dedicated Catholic women are continuing a tradition established 110 years ago when the first Catholic Women’s League (CWL) in the southern hemisphere was established in South Australia.
On October 25 1914, more than 150 women gathered in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral Hall in Wakefield Street, Adelaide, with the permission and under the patronage of Archbishop Spence, for the inaugural meeting of the Catholic Women’s League.
Within 18 months the CWL had more than 1000 members.
In the early years members were engaged in work to care for wounded soldiers, particularly those at Keswick Barracks.
In 1918 the organisation requested the first Anzac Day Mass which was held at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. CWL donated the statue of St Francis Xavier which now stands in the foyer of the cathedral.
In 1916, St Mary’s Hostel was opened in Pirie Street to provide safe accommodation for Catholic girls coming to the city from the country for work, education or training. The hostel later relocated to 178 East Terrace.
In 1972 it was decided to close the hostel and replace it with a childcare centre.
CWL SA State secretary Sue Williams said this was in the days before government centres were available and there was a desperate need for quality care for working women’s children.
In 1975 Archbishop James Gleeson blessed and officially opened the CWL Child Care Centre. It was run and managed by CWL members up until 2011 when it was leased to Christian Brothers College (CBC) as an early learning centre.
In 2023 CBC decided not to renew their lease on the ageing property and CWL put the property on the market.
“Because of the work of the early pioneering members, CWL is now in the fortunate position of having adequate funds to donate to causes that align with its core values, particularly helping women and children,” Sue said.
“Donations have already been made to Catherine House, Hutt St Centre, Centacare’s Women’s Domestic Violence Centre and Vinnies’ Women’s Shelter.
At a recent meeting in Berri, guest speaker Dani Munn spoke to members about the work at the Women’s Haven in Berri and CWL was pleased to be able to contribute towards the setting up an outdoor area there.
CWL SA is open to all women, more information at cwlsa.org or cwlsasecretary@gmail.com
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