28/09/2026
WORLD WAR II – THE ROLE OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN QUIRINDI
Prepared by Julie Yeomans for Quirindi and District Historical Society
While young men and women from Quirindi enlisted to serve Australia during World War II, the civilian population played a vital role. The threat of invasion and bombing of Australian cities was a genuine concern, prompting the State Government to formulate plans for relocating industries and potentially shifting the civilian population from coastal cities to inland areas. Notably, from February 1942, bombs were dropped on northern Australian cities, and Newcastle and Sydney both experienced submarine attacks.
The National Emergency Services was a voluntary organisation established to protect the civil population in the event of enemy attack, as well as to respond to floods, fires and epidemics. Eric Cadell, the President of Tamarang Shire Council was appointed Chief Warden of his local area, overseeing five sectors, each with its own managing warden.
Volunteers, comprising men over 45 years of age or those ineligible for military service, were tasked with ensuring households were equipped with sand, water buckets, stirrup pumps for fire control, and shelters to protect against potential machine gun fire from aircraft. Trenches were dug in school grounds, and specific alarms were designated to signal air raids, fires or incendiary bomb threats.
Four first aid posts were set up in Quirindi, supplied with clean linen and other essential donations. Mrs Cadell led a group of local women in managing this initiative under the banner of the National Emergency Women’s Service (NEWS).
Established in 1941 under the leadership of F V Cobb, Manager of the Commonwealth Bank, the Volunteer Air Observers Corps organised shifts for 24 hour monitoring of any aircraft sightings over Quirindi. The Bowling Club provided space for their operations, which continued until the end of the war in 1945.
The CWA, whilst continuing its normal services for country women, also took up special wartime tasks which included fundraising and sewing bees. A special committee was formed to organise sheepskins for airmen’s jackets. 1,386 skins were collected in 1940, with all handling and tanning voluntarily undertaken by S Burt & Co, local skin dealers.
The 2TM Radio Club, already involved in community fundraising, sponsored dances and parties, with proceeds used to provide comforts for troops stationed in Palestine.
Under the presidency of Mrs Marion Macvean, the Quirindi Red Cross group established an Opportunity Shop on George Street, which was a great success, selling cakes and home sewn items, all made by members. Profits were split evenly between the Red Cross Movement and the Prisoners of War Appeal. Strong support was received from Red Cross branches throughout the villages. Later, the group initiated a Medical Loan service, offering crutches and wheelchairs free of charge, and also fostered the creation of a Junior Red Cross.
Formed in 1939 to address patriotic work not covered by Red Cross, was the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS). The group quickly gained popularity, with branches established in other areas throughout the district. The main Quirindi branch was led by presidents Mrs J M Thomas, Mrs R D Gelling and Mrs J MacGregor. The local militia provided wool, whilst groups of women, ably assisted by schoolgirls, knitted socks, scarves and balaclavas. Magazines, packages containing canned goods, toiletries and ci******es, and Christmas parcels of sweets and cake were regularly sent to troops until the end of the war.
Founded in 1941, with its first president being Mayor, Alderman B J Perkins, Quirindi and District Patriotic and War Fund Committee raised funds for local organisations such as Red Cross and WVS, as well as for the Lord Mayor’s Fund, British War Veteran’s Fund and investment in War Savings Certificates to support returning soldiers. Fundraising events included a well supported Patriotic Fete and various patriotic carnivals.
The Patriotic Younger Set was formed in 1940 under the leadership of Misses Gwen Bull and Betty York as Presidents. This group became integral to Quirindi’s social life, organising regular dances, annual balls, children’s events, tennis, cards, golf days, swimming carnivals, street stalls, cricket matches, amateur hours and revues, all of which proved popular in the community.
At times, all the organisations worked together, hosting combined functions to contribute to the war effort and sustain morale both locally and abroad.
Reference: Quirindi 1939-1950 Courage & Commitment by Dorothy Durrant
Photo: Eric Cadell, Chief Warden of National Emergency Services using horse and sulky to save fuel in wartime 1940
