State War Council (GRG32)

The State War Council of South Australia was constituted under the Provisions of the War Funds Regulation Act, 1916, its aim being to "act in conjunction with the Federal Parliamentary War Committee on questions arising out of the war."

The original functions of the State War Council were to:

(1) recruit personnel
(2) train the partially disabled and provide artificial limbs and other aids
(3) aid re-employment
(4) assist with settlement of farms
(5) collect and administer funds

The Council originally had 12 members.

The State Munitions Committee was appointed shortly after, the Secretary of both bodies being V.H. Ryan, Director of the Intelligence Department and Tourist Bureau.

The Peace Celebrations Committee was set up in 1919 jointly by the State War Council and the Federal Parliamentary War Committee, arranging for celebrations on 18-20 July 1919.

Further details of the establishment and operations of the State War Council are given in the brief article included as an appendix to the manual series list.

Most of the State War Council records were transferred from records received from the Tourist Bureau, an explanation of which is also given in the above article

The Council was wound up in 1976 on the passing of the War Funds Regualtion Act Repeal Bill, 1976. The balance of funds, a sum of $4977.50, was donated to the War Veteran's Home, Myrtle Bank.

References:

Formation: GRG24/6/1915/1166; GRG32/1/1939/2; GRG32/1/1918/124
Dissolution: Note on final audit GRG32/1/1918/124 (also mentions death of last Boer War veteran in S.A.)