The Catholic Women’s League of Western Australia (Inc.)

The Catholic Women’s League of Western Australia (CWLWA) was founded in 1937 after years of consultation with the Catholic Women’s League of South Australia. Their motto Charity, Work and Loyalty has been ‘lived’ by their members for more than 75 years

CWLWA is primarily organised within parish-based branches throughout Western Australia (Dioceses of Bunbury and Geraldton and the Archdiocese of Perth) and they also welcome associate members who might not belong to a parish branch. This form of membership attracts women with no local branch, with heavy work or family commitments, or with mobility restrictions from age or health.

In all of their work, CWLWA members are deeply committed to being guided by authentic Catholic teaching in both principle and practice. They seek to raise their own awareness as ordinary Catholic women from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and age groups of how Catholicism is manifested in everyday life.

Catholic Women’s League branches support women to alleviate homelessness and the financial stress in raising children by providing play groups for young mothers. They also provide financial help for seminaries, and to students through chaplaincy programs and bursaries, home visitation for the sick and elderly, in addition to shelter for those wanting to move out of the sex industry.

CWLWA works closely with other organisations within the Catholic and wider Christian community, in addition to secular society and it is represented on the Australian Church Women (WA Unit), the World Day of Prayer State Committee and the National Council of Women of Western Australia.

The Catholic Women’s League of Western Australia (Inc.) Scholarship was established in 2012 and its purpose is to assist and encourage meritorious female students at the Notre Dame Fremantle Campus for whom educational opportunities are limited because of financial need. These students will have demonstrated drive and commitment to the principles of the Catholic Women’s League, and special consideration is given to students from regional or remote WA.

Since its inception, the Scholarship has generously supported students who come from as far as Mukinbudin, Albany, Busselton, Geraldton, Pinjarra, Esperance, and South Kalgoorlie.

Upon being awarded the Scholarship, one of the early recipients commented

Life is balance and University is an essential part of this balance. We all need dreams and support to achieve our goals, and it is reassuring to know that someone believes in you. I have been very fortunate to receive financial assistance and encouragement from the Catholic Women’s League – without their help being so far away from my family would have been much harder. Life is a lot easier if you are supported financially and university is no exception. It is the little things that add up and are often forgotten about, making every helping hand very much appreciated.