About CWL Sydney

Catholic Women’s League Archdiocese of Sydney is a member organisation that was founded in 1913, originally under the name Catholic Women’s Association.

Our organisation has grown over the years, supporting many different projects, whilst simultaneously creating a network amongst like-minded women, and forming friendships along the way.

We aim to unite Sydney’s Catholic women to support each other and those in need.

CWL Sydney operates under National and State bodies. We support each other and regularly connect with Catholic women across New South Wales and Australia.

 

What do we do?

At CWL Sydney we strive to support women, both within our membership and in the general community, and assist in bettering the lives of those in need. We fundraise as an Archdiocese for a project each year, and our branches coordinate their own community and Parish based initiatives.

We maintain strong connections with other Women’s organisations, including, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO), who represent us at the United Nations, National Council of Women, Australian Church Women, National Council of Jewish Women Australia, Women’s Reconciliation Network, and many more. Creating strong connections with these affiliate groups is something we greatly value.

At our monthly gatherings, we host fundraisers for our Project of the Year, often with a fun theme, raffle prizes, and interesting guest speakers.

Our past guest speakers include Margaret Cunneen SC; Anthony Ryan, CEO of Edmund Rice Foundation; Jennifer Burn, Director of Anti Slavery Australia, Rachael Wong CEO of Women’s Forum Australia and more.

Join one of our Branches

We currently have a number of branches across Sydney that you can join. Our branches host monthly meetings and do an incredible job at raising money and awareness both for our Archdiocese Project of the Year, and their own community and Parish based initiatives. Branches host fashion parades, silver circles, dinner dances, bake sales and much more!

If you think being a branch member isn't for you, you could sign up as a Diocesan member. Diocesan members receive our bi-monthly newsletter, CWLA National and State news, and of course are always welcome to join us at any of our gatherings.

To understand more about how CWL Sydney operates, read about our structure.

Projects we have supported

Many of the projects we support are grass roots and go directly to the community.
Here is a snapshot of some of the many different projects we have supported or continue to support:

  • School of St Jude's sponsor child Valeria

  • CatholicCare HOPE program supporting vulnerable young mothers and their babies

  • Refurbishment of Loreto Catholic Kindergarten, Fiji

  • Supporting rural primary schools in the Wilcannia Forbes Diocese - St Patricks Brewarrina, St Ingatius Bourke, and St Therese’s Community School Wilcannia, allowing them to implement music programs, and art programs, and play based learning programs, as well as the purchasing of various school supplies

  • The Josephite Sisters' Counter Trafficking Projects

  • Church refurbishment in Enngonia

  • Asylum Seeker Assistance

  • Supporting students from Delaney College attend immersion experience in Townsville

  • Mum's Cottage in Newcastle

  • Catholic Mission

  • Ladies of the Land drought and bushfire relief

  • Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Milton bushfire relief

    …And many more!