At the outbreak of the Second World War, the 80 members of the Maitland Branch of the Country Women's Association adapted their social and domestic skills.
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They did this in order to do whatever they could for the war effort and in support of the troops, both those serving abroad and in the Maitland area.
The Branch quickly established a fund to supply 'comforting' items.
The knitting circle made articles such as warm socks.
Some members went weekly to the local military camps to sew for the soldiers.
Others made camouflage nets, hundreds of which were dispatched to Sydney.
Although the ladies continued these activities throughout the war, it was another initiative for which the Maitland Branch was most commended.
In 1940, the Maitland Rotary Club approached the Branch with a proposal to build a hall on a Bulwer Street block which the ladies had purchased.
This hall would be used for services to the soldiers in the Maitland area.
The need for such services had become apparent given the number of soldiers from all over Australia in the 2AIF undergoing military training in the Greta Army Camp.
Up to 60,000 soldiers ultimately trained at Greta following the establishment of the Camp in late 1939.
The architect Walter Harold Pender submitted the plans on 1 September 1940.
Various well-known local businesses, including Pender Brothers, supplied the bricks and other materials as part of the voluntary construction effort.
The Bulwer Street building had a 36-foot west-facing frontage and extended 100 feet to the east with a verandah on the north.
In addition to the large social hall there were two games rooms, two meeting rooms, ladies' facilities and a kitchen.
In the basement were men's facilities and behind the building there was a free-standing gents' toilet block and a garden area.
What was known as the Rotary-CWA Service to Soldiers Building was officially opened on February 22 1941 by Moree-born Brigadier Fritz Peter Max Solling.
Facilities for hot and cold showers were available to all men and women of the forces until 11pm every night.
During the day a soldier could shower, with soap and towel supplied, for 2d (two pence).
In the evenings a service person could have dinner and dancing for 5d, except for Sundays, when community singing substituted for dancing.
The music was live and leaned towards old time and, occasionally, swing.
The late Dorothy Morris reported that her aunt Hazel Finney played the piano and Rhona Dunkley played the violin.
Although she was too young to participate in the dancing, Dorothy sang in the concerts which her uncle Albert often compered.
Staffed by the Rotary Club and the Maitland CWA, the Bulwer Street hall was open every day during the war.
The Rotary Club recorded 229,200 visits by service people.
Although the day-to-day running of the Service to Soldiers placed an ongoing financial strain on the CWA ladies, they continued to contribute to war appeals for the Red Cross, mobile canteens, returned soldiers, the 4th Field Ambulance, prisoners of war, the Aerial Medical Services and church army huts.
After the war, the Bulwer Street building was renovated by the Rotarians and handed over free of debt to the Maitland CWA in November 1946.
It functioned as the CWA Hall for four more decades.
