At Home

"Practically every woman hopes to some day have a home whether she has a profession or not. The natural maternal instinct of all women will preserve the home".
Women's Co-operation, 28 August 1924, p.4.

In the schools an attempt is being made to combat with the evils of drink and smoking for juveniles by theoretical lessons on the result of indulgences in these practices. A superficial knowledge of the matter is sufficient to prove that a very common cause which drives a man from his home to the hotel is a badly cooked dinner or a mismanaged washing day. Therefore it seems to be of more importance to provide instruction in practical cookery and laundry work for the girls who will develop into wives and mothers than to teach theoretically the evils of excessive drinking and smoking.
Report / The Education Department of W.A. for the year 1908, Perth 1909, p.92.

'Domestic Economy', as it was first termed, was introduced into the state school curriculum in 1900, with the opening of a domestic economy centre at the James Street school in Perth. Three hundred and thirty three girls received cooking instruction during the first year of operation of the course. By 1903 domestic economy had been extended to incorporate the teaching of laundry, both its theory and practice. Five centres were now in operation, located at Perth, Fremantle, Boulder, Kalgoorlie and Claremont, and at least 807 girls were receiving instruction in cooking and 109 in laundry.
1905 attendance was made compulsory for all girls over the age of 12 for whom accommodation could be provided.
During the early years of Household Management students studied a six month course which entailed demonstration and practical sessions of cookery. Laundry classes, introduced in 1903, involved the teaching of the theory behind water, soap and other materials, with practical training in ironing and washing skills.

'Homemaking' was a combination of embroidery arts, instruction in friendship, 'hints to growing girls', and the teaching of courtesy and good manners.
Report / The Education Department of W.A. for the year 1908, Perth 1909, p.87-89.