Isla Bank Women's Division Federated Farmers

Record Group

Identifier: A0073

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This resource details the activities and history of the Isla Bank Women's Division of Federated Farmers for the period 1939 to 1996.

A collection of minute books, attendance rolls, financial records of both the Isla Bank WDFF and the Western District WDFF (Waimatuku, Otahuti, Thornbury and Isla Bank group, correspondence and the Constitution Booklet. Also records concerning Provincial and Dominion meetings. Some records contain photographs.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1925 - 1996

Creator

Federated Farmers of New Zealand. Women's Division (Organization)

Women's Division Federated Farmers

The Women's Division of the Farmers Union began in 1925, when the women who accompanied their husbands to Wellington for a Farmer's Union meeting got together and recognised the isolated and hard lives many farmers wives led. They aimed to improve living conditions and rural services, including medical facilities and schooling. Getting domestic help for women who were sick or away was realised as being very important and an Emergency Housekeeping Scheme was started. They published cookbooks, and a magazine, and established holiday homes for it's members to recuperate and relax in. They also ran social events, entered competitions at A&P shows, encouraged young girls with talks and tours, and provided soldiers with parcels during the war. It was renamed Women’s Division Federated Farmers (WDFF) and in the 1970's reached over 21,000 members. Their name changed again to Rural Women New Zealand and they continue to support women and rural communities.

Invercargill Branch, formed in November 1925, was the first established in Southland, and by 1955 there were 69 branches. The Isla Bank Branch of the WDFF formed in 1939 by Mrs W. Orr, with assistance from Mrs J. Kincaid and Mrs G. Lindsay of the Drummond Branch. The first President was Mrs S. Stuart. The club existed to provide fellowship and assistance to the community. A formation of a branch at Otahuti in 1948 reduced numbers somewhat but by 1955 they had 38 senior and 2 junior members. During the war the branch raised funds and sent parcels overseas. During 1947-8 they raised 100 pounds for a holiday home in Riverton and a junior member was a maid in the Queen Carnival. Members attended annual Dominion conferences which included tours to Norhtland, Nelson and Milford. The branch joined Otahuti in celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II with sports and games. Club numbers peaked in 1972 with 46 members, and were down to 15 members by 1990. They continued to help the community by collecting for charities and helping with Meals on Wheels. The roll for the 1996 year held by the Archives listed 14 names.

See Bibliography for References

Extent

1 box(es) (Box 1)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Bibliography

'W.D.F.F. : Southland provincial history, 1930-1955' by Federated Farmers of New Zealand. Women's Division.
Reference: LC 630 WOM
'WDFF : Southland Provincial history 1980-1990' by Federated Farmers of New Zealand. Women's Division.
Reference: LC 630 WOM
Rural Women New Zealand
https://www.ruralwomen.org.nz/ (accessed 13/02/2019)
'Women’s Division Federated Farmers 1925 –' by Rosemarie Smith, NZ History
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/women-together/womens-division-federated-farmers (accessed 13/02/2019)