• Entry type: Resource
  • Entry ID: AWH000819

Dame Raigh Roe interviewed by Gail O’Hanlon in the Australians of the year oral history project [sound recording]

  • Repository National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore Collection
  • Reference ORAL TRC 3410
  • Date Range 30-Mar-95 - 31-Aug-95
  • Description

    Speaks of family background, childhood, early jobs, marriage during WWII, brother Alwyn, moving to the farm at Piawaning, primitive conditions she lived & raised her family in, becoming involved in the local CWA, importance of farming diversification, help from Italian POWs and local aboriginals, importance of radio, role of the CWA in the country, her increasing involvement in the CWA, CWA’s concern with education, catering & crafts, Frances Craig, Lilian Higgins, Ida Spencer, the “heartbeat of the CWA”, involvement in administration (incl. State International Officer, State and National President), the structure of the WA CWA. Being a Justice of the Peace and sitting in the Summary Relief Court, public speaking, achievements during State Presidency (incl. financial and voting reform, raising the CWA profile, fighting anti-women advertising, residential schools for Aboriginal girls, migrant aid), help provided during WWII, relationship with media, nature of volunteer work, health problems, leaving farm and moving to city, 1974 WA CWA Golden Jubilee and hosting ACWW Conference, assistance given after Cyclone Tracy, awards, period as World President of ACWW, Social Issues Finding Team and research into in vitro fertilisation, prostitution, Bill of Rights and CWA’s own membership and preoccupations, recent work with CWA archives, revision of constitution, and membership of various Boards.

  • Access Access open for research; written permission required for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
  • Finding Aid Corrected transcript available (typescript, 165 p.).

Related entries


  • Primary Creator
    • Roe, Raigh Edith (1922 - 2014)
  • See also
    • Spencer, Ida May (1900 - 1982)
    • Country Women's Association of Australia (1945 - )
    • The Country Women's Association of Western Australia (Inc) (1924 - )