Australasian Women's Association

In November 1899 the ANA Board supported the creation of a Friendly Society for women.

The ANA absorbed all the expenses of setting up the Association, which commenced with seven branches in Victoria and 405 members.

The AWA held annual conferences where they accepted resolutions from their branches about governance and social issues.

An example is the 1903 conference where there were resolutions of: The ANA and AWA worked closely together and at times jointly published documents listing key office holders.

The changing circumstances after WW2 and the greater involvement of the Federal Government in providing social supports started to challenge Friendly Societies including the AWA.

Australasian Women's Association AWA First Board of Directors November 1900, Left to Right: Miss O'Connor, Miss Tapner, Mrs Taylor, Miss Potts, Miss Robertson, Miss Hickman, Miss Cullin, Miss Wilson, Miss Murray; Front Row: Miss Cooke, Mrs Ley