Australian Women's Army Service Association (WA) Inc. (1947 - )

In 1947 the Australian Women's Army Service Association (WA) Inc. was formed after a public meeting was held in Perth. The Association was originally established to extend welfare assistance, promote social gatherings and foster goodwill to former members of the Australian Women's Army Service, especially by way of annual reunions. As the need arose the Association become involved with pension and aged care assistance.

Each year the Association holds a reunion as well as other gatherings arranged by the committee. Also members are hospital and army museum volunteers and participate in contingent marches on Anzac Day. A quarterly newsletter is sent to members informing them of current developments and Association news.

In 1966 the Association presented seats, a sundial and birdbath to the Returned & Services League War Veterans' Home in Mt Lawley. A year later a time capsule was buried under the birdbath and unveiled at the 2002 annual reunion. In 1991, at the National Reunion for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Service, 805 members with the West Command Band were in attendance. A contingent of over 50 members went to Darwin for the Australia Remembers celebrations held in 1995 and in 2001 members attended a diamond jubilee celebration.

The Association has lodged paybooks, uniforms and other memoribilia with the Army Museum, Fremantle and the Princess Royal Fortress, Albany.

President

• Corry, Alice Gwendoline ( - 1998)

  [1969 - 1998]

• Solly, Elsie Hope (1924 - )

Related Corporate Bodies

• Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) (1941 - 1947)

Journal Articles

• 'The Association - 1947-1997 - culled recollections', AWAS news, November 1997, 1997, pp. 9-11. [ Details... ]
• 'AWAS Association : a tribute', Listening post, vol. 21, no. 1, 1998, pp. 22-26. [ Details... ]
• Solly, Elsie Hope, 'Vale - Mavis MacKenzie.', AWAS news, November 2003, 1996, p. 4. [ Details... ]
• Solly, Elsie Hope, 'Vale "Strawb" James, V/President AWAS ASSN (WA) Inc.', AWAS news, April 2003, 2002, pp. 7-8. [ Details... ]