Australian Women’s Land Army recognised
28th November, 2012
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss is encouraging former members of the Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA) to apply for special recognition for their contribution to the Australian war effort during the Second World War.Mr Truss said that a special commemorative brooch and certificate is available to surviving full time and auxillary members of the AWLA. The certificate is also available to the next of kin of deceased full time and auxiliary members of the AWLA and a commemorative history booklet is also available.
“When Japan joined the Second World War in December 1941, Australia prioritized its need to strengthen the armed forces, and many farming men left their properties to serve in the war. This led to the creation of the AWLA, which stepped in to provide labour to Australian farms,” Mr Truss said.
The AWLA was formed on 27 July 1942. AWLA recruits were aged between 18 and 50 years and usually came from city areas and were often unskilled in rural work.
Enrolment peaked in the AWLA December 1943, with 2,382 permanent members and 1,039 auxiliary members. The average working week for an AWLA member was 48 hours, with pay starting at the AWLA minimum wage of 30 shillings a week.
In January 1943 Cabinet endorsed the AWLA as an "official fourth service". The organisation was to be formally constituted under the National Security Regulations. However, a final draft of these regulations was not completed until 1945, and was not acted upon before the end of the war. Consequently, members of the AWLA did not receive the same benefits as members of other women’s services.
The AWLA was disbanded on 31 December 1945. In 1997, many members became eligible for the Civilian Service Medal, following a Committee of Enquiry recommendation in 1994.
AWLA members eligible to receive the brooch include: surviving full time and auxiliary members who applied for and received the Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945; and surviving full time and auxiliary members who were enrolled during the period between 27 July 1942 and 31 December 1945
The certificate is available to: surviving full time and auxiliary members who applied for and received the Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945; surviving full time and auxiliary members who were enrolled during the period between 27 July 1942 and 31 December 1945; and the next of kin of deceased full time and auxiliary members who were enrolled during the period between 27 July 1942 and 31 December 1945.
An application form is available by telephoning the Honours, Symbols and Territories Branch or by emailing itsanhonour@pmc.gov.au .
