The reason for the existence of the CWA is to promote the well-being and advancement of women and children and service to the country.

Their story began with a meeting convened by Mrs AH Fletcher in the Masonic Hall in Wauchope on August 18 1938, with the object of forming a branch at Wauchope of the Country Womens Association of New South Wales.

Office-bearers elected at the meeting were:

On September 9 1938, the branch was officially opened by the Mid North Coast Vice President, Mrs rRudder of Kempsey.

The first objective was to establish a rest room for the farming wives coming into town.  This was sited on a temporary basis at the School of Arts.  Later, a cottage in HIgh Street, beside the council chambers, was rented for use as the rest room and baby health centre in 1940.

In October 1938, the branch, in co-operation with the Wauchope P & C Association, approached the minister for education regarding the establishment of a secondary school on the Hastings, which later resulted in a high school.

In November 1938, the ES & A Bank (now ANZ) offered to handle the CWA account free of charge.

In July 1939, the branch was addressed by Miss Evans, a dressmaking teacher from a technical college.  This led to classes and later the establishment of Wauchope Technical College.

During the war years, the branch identified itself with the local Patriotic Fund, specialising in camouflage net-making under the guidance of Mrs Begg.  The rooms were made available to all war effort groups for their meetings. In more recent years, Wauchope CWA’s efforts have included supporting the Wauchope District Memorial Hospital and Bundaleer nursing home, catering for a diversity of functions and hosting the Biggest Morning Tea.