A Remarkable Discovery!
Clarence Town Public School K-2 classes visited mid-July, arriving at midday and spending several hours exploring the museum and completing worksheets complied by their teachers. Most of the students seemed particularly impressed with the old dolls in one of the rooms. Many thoughtful questions were asked, a reminder of the natural curiosity of the young.
During our July Meeting, the code for the safe was located and tried and the safe unlocked. While there was neither money nor gold, the safe did contain a great treasure. Inside, were two foolscap-sized notebooks. These are the Minutes of the Clarence Town Country Women’s Association, known by their initials as the CWA, from its inception at a Public Meeting in May 0f 1938 to the end of 1955.
A quick skimming of these records shows the vital interest the women of Clarence Town took in the progress of Clarence Town, in areas neglected by their menfolk. They invariably meet in daytime. Of early note are their efforts to create a Baby Health Centre. As they thank the Department of Justice in one of their meetings, it seems the back room of the Courthouse became the Baby Health Centre.
In its first year, there are twenty-one members from Clarence Town, two from Glen William and one from Glen Oak; the next year Glen Martin has a membership.
Only recently did Clarence Town CWA join the Dungog branch. And they celebrate 100 years in 2027.
Open the last Sat of each month, 10am–2pm or by appt.
Chris O’Neill, Museum Committee Secretary,
CTmuseum@outlook.com 0491 346 491
