The Christmas Island Women's Association was first established as a cooking class. Women attended these classes and decided to form a Women's Association with money remaining from ingredients. The association was formed because women in financial difficulties and domestic crisis had no assistance or support. Furthermore, the Association wanted to bring up women's status and interest on Christmas Island.
The first meeting was held in the Old Hospital pantry with different ethnic groups attending and a steering committee was formed. The first annual general meeting was held at the Community Hall on the 5th December 1989. Office bearers were elected and a membership fee of ten dollars was put in place.
The association sought assistance from the Deputy Administrator in 1989 to use the old VLU2 building as a women's refuge centre. As well as this, the association established a women centre for victims of domestic violence ob Christmas Island. Previously, domestic violence victims were placed in the Police Station for protection. However, emotionally it was inadequate because the women felt that they had committed a crime.
In 1990, the association established the Child Care Centre at the old Infant Clinic, Settlement (CIWA, Music Centre). We hired the mother craft nurse and the former administrator wife (a qualified teacher) to run the Child Care Centre for two years. In 1992, the Shire Council decided to take over the services, The Child Care Centre was then operating at Old Nurses Quarter (Golden Bosun Tavern).
In 1991, The Christmas Island Women's Association established an Early Childhood Program because many children were not gaining the accessibility to kindergarten. The Kindergarten on Christmas Island only had an intake of fifteen children per year. There was a vast number of children left out and did not have the preparation to learn how to speak English before entering Pre-primary. The aim for the establishment the Early Childhood Program was a GOOD START for children to learn how to speak English before Pre-Primary. A submission was applied, a Commonwealth Grant, to help with the foundation. This Program operated for three years under the management of the Christmas Island Women's Association, before the Education Department was interested to take over the program. The program was handed over to the Education Department and to this day it is still operating.
In 1992, the Christmas Island Women's Association formed a music centre as the parents of Christmas felt that there was lack of after school activities on the island for their children and were interested for their children to learn a musical instrument. The association used Old infant Clinic, Settlement to run the service. Fundraisings were held to purchase musical instruments such as piano, organ, clarinets, flutes, marching drums, guitar and a qualified music teacher was hired. The money raised was also used to subsidise his/her airfare and accommodation. In addition the association wanted the children to take part in the piano practical and theoretical exams held by the Australian Music Board (AMEB). The association liaised with AMEB and a practical examiner has been coming to Christmas Island once per year for the examinations. The music centre is still in operation with over 30 students learning music.
The Association went on to promote cultural interest to the children on Christmas Island. The idea was to make children feel enthusiastic and be able to have the confidence to perform cultural dancing in festivals and function.
The Christmas Island Women's Association attended 1995 4th World Women Conference in Beijing, with three representatives from Christmas Island. They are also affiliated with World Women's Association in London.
In 2001, the Association was promoting a child nutrition project for 2 years. This has been established to teach children on Christmas Island to learn a healthy lifestyle and have a balance diet, in order to prevent child obesity and decaying of teeth (for example teaching them consumes less of soft drinks and sweets). The commonwealth has provided funding for running this project.
The Christmas Island Women's Association is not for profit charitable organisation, the Christmas Island Women's Association has the following objectives:
To identify social needs and respond to range of community issues
To promote the welfare and wellbeing of Christmas Island women and their families.
To assist Christmas Island residents in times of crisis and family conflict, particularly those who are experiencing financial need, or who are in any way needy, disadvantaged and vulnerable.
To provide information and education for women on a range old social and health needs and issues.
To enhance Christmas Island women's participation in community decision making
To provide opportunities for children on Christmas Island to participate in cultural and social activities.
The Christmas Island Women's Association is also playing a representative role in various field such as the Community Consultative Committee, the School Council, Christmas Island economy plan representative.
Nevertheless, the association has continued to raise funds to assist those who are suffering from poverty in Christmas Island, Australia and other countries.
The association has achieved and awarded two Community Events Awards and State Nutrition Kellogg Award and was on the finalist of National Child Nutrition Award. The vision of the Christmas Island Women's Association is to strive for the well being of the environment, health safety for the children, continue in promoting women's interests and act as a charity board.
