NEWS Of The Area joined more than 600 delegates and another 200 observers at the Country Women’s Association’s (CWA) 103rd State Conference in Wagga Wagga last week.
In a statement to media ahead of the conference, CWA of NSW President Joy Beames said, “The high number of motions delegates will be asked to vote on this year reflects the commitment from our members to their communities and the importance of highlighting issues impacting the lives of those in remote, rural and regional NSW communities.”
The theme for this year’s conference, “From isolation to innovation – the threads that bind”, aptly highlighted how women from all over NSW came together to discuss over 40 motions regarding education, health, the environment, agriculture, transport and telecommunications.
These motions ranged from calling on the state government to prioritise feral pig control, to reopening the regional seniors travel card program, to urgently calling for a review of ambulance services.
“Advocacy has always been at the heart of our association and that has certainly come to the fore this year,” Ms Beames said.
Gloucester Evening Branch had seven members at the conference: Donna Kemp (Vice President), Anne Mags (Treasurer), Megan de Witte, Barbara Reichert, Jillian Carson (President), Rhonda Merchant (State Executive Committee Member) who has been a member for 37 years and Deb Cook (Secretary) who was attending her first conference.
Jillian Carson, a CWA member of 50 years, and Sandy Tebbet, who was running the Handicraft Shop at the conference exhibition space, sat down with News Of The Area during the conference for a quick Q&A.
What are the biggest issues in your community?
Sandy: The issues facing our community are the same or similar to those facing all communities, especially homelessness and employment for the young.
How is your branch unique demographically?
Jillian: As an Evening Branch we have working members. We enjoy fun and fellowship during cultural outings. We share the room with the day branch and we have a joint committee which runs a major fundraiser each year for the maintenance of the rooms.
Sandy: Our Branch prides itself on our ability to understand issues confronting our community and to work collectively to prioritise resources to best support them.
By Pauline CAIN
