MID North Coast CWA Group held its Annual General Meeting at Gloucester Country Club on Tuesday 27 October.
Gloucester Evening Branch hosted the event and excelled in catering for the attendees who represented 13 of the Mid North Coast Branches.
Representatives from Hunter River Group, North Coast Group, and Wanthella Group also attended as did State President, Tanya Jolly and State Secretary Bronwyn Dunston.
Group President Lyn Moore reflected on the highlights of the past year, particularly the very successful CWA State Conference hosted by the Group in Forster in May.
Group office bearers for international issues, Agriculture and the Environment, Cultural activities, Cookery and Publicity summarized the reports received from Branches.
A representative from each Branch reported on their activities throughout the year.
This was an excellent opportunity for Branches to exchange ideas.
Group Officer for Social Issues Yvette Smith, encouraged branches to elect a Social Issues Officer, which is a new position.
The CWA has developed advocacy kits, which address the need for maintenance of regional roads, fuel security, pest and weed management, aged care transport, dementia care, hospital staffing and literacy support.
Domestic violence, homelessness and adequate access to the full range of health services including mental health and maternity services are other matters the CWA recognises impact on regional areas.
Guest speaker Georgia Laurie is a local cowgirl with a beef, who has embraced many opportunities no matter how daunting.
She is on a mission to promote the Australian cattle industry internationally as she believes Australian beef has the safest quality.
Georgia, her brother Jack and their three cousins spent their formative years on the family property at Moppy owned by their parents Ted and Alison Laurie, and Ted’s brother James and wife Annie.
She attended Barrington Primary School travelling one and a half hours each way.
As a boarder Georgia attended PLC Pymble for her secondary schooling where she was a determined, capable student.
In year nine she convinced her school that the agriculture department needed two steers to expand the opportunities for those students who wished to pursue their agricultural studies.
‘I was pleased to have the steers as they gave me a bit of home and I was always happy to excuse myself from school when they required attention’, Georgia said.
By Marilyn SANDERSON
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