November 28, 2012
Former members of the Australian Women’s Land Army are being encouraged to apply for special recognition for their contribution to the Australian effort during World War II.
Member for Wide Bay Mr Warren Truss said a special commemorative brooch and certificate was 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 July 27, 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 in December 1943, with 2382 permanent members and 1039 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 December 31, 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 July 27, 1942, and December 31, 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 July 27, 1942, and December 31, 1945; and the next-of-kin of deceased full-time and auxiliary members who were enrolled during the period between July 27, 1942, and December 31, 1945.
- An application form is available by telephoning the Honours, Symbols and Territories Branch or by email
