The CWA Dunsborough branch have been given the keys to their new home at Capecare on Naturaliste Terrace after the group generously gave up their old hall on Armstrong Reserve to make way for the aged care facility.
The result dates back 17 years when the group were first approached by the then Shire of Busselton, Naturaliste Care Services and Capecare.
The CWA had their own title on the land and expressed interest in relocating from their old premises to the new aged care complex.
According to Linda Nixon OAM, there was overwhelming support for the site to house an aged care facility as it was close to Dunsborough's town centre, beaches and medical services.
Almost two decades since consultation began, the current Dunsborough CWA president Lesley Sproule was handed the keys to their new headquarters on June 30, 2021 complete with a meeting space, commercial kitchen, storage and parking.
CWA Dunsborough vice president Jan Button said the process and everyone involved in the move had been fantastic.
"To start with I think they thought we were a bit formidable," she said.
"We are so lucky to have our new premises, we never imagined it would be like this, just as well we have the size because we are expanding all the time and growing with membership.
"We will be able to keep growing with membership and interact with the residents, we will start card games and board games so residents can come in and have a coffee or a chat they don't have to be members.
"That is the thing we were most excited about."
While the group have fond memories of their old hall and shared many laughs about its condition, the building was no longer fit for purpose and in dire need of maintenance.
"When you took a seat the floor would creak and you'd think 'am I going through it today or will it be tomorrow," Ms Button said.
The CWA Dunsborough branch will formerly open their new premises on Tuesday, July 13 almost 63 years to the day they opened their old hall on Naturaliste Terrace.
Ms Button said they originally started as the Dunsborough Yallingup branch on May 11, 1949 at Yallingup Hall, a Ms Murray donated one pound and one shilling to start the branch funds.
"We have one member Doris Ritter who has been with us for 62 years," she said.
"We used to do a lot of dances for the Red Cross and a food stall was held in 1951 to raise funds for the x-ray plant at Busselton Hospital.
"A lot of people do not realise how hard the CWA works for the community, over the years we have helped the sea rescue and ambulance get up on their feet."
