If you want to make a difference in your community, the CWA is a really good place to start.

CWA women from the country and the city in NSW and the ACT, meet and connect with others in their local areas.

At the CWA Northumberland Group, our 14 branches have a common theme of Friendship and Companionship, which is demonstrated by:

• Supporting and talking to each other,
• Sharing stories and experiences,
• Friendship, Companionship and Inclusion
• Meeting like-minded people,
• Sharing and teaching new skills
• Making CWA like a second home

These are the qualities that make us who we are, “Women supporting Women with kindness to create positive change”.

Creating positive change through the amazing advocacy initiatives that are carried out throughout the state is the reason most members feel so strongly in support of the CWA. It is this “big picture” work statewide that makes us the most highly recommended women’s group in Australia. Examples of issues past and present include;

Past achievements

1925       The first Baby Health Centre opened in Moree. By 1937, CWA had set up thirteen emergency and maternity hospitals without government subsidy.

1947       The first CWA Tea Room was opened at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

1964       Conference resolutions push for more women on juries and more regional universities.

1976       A Conference resolution called for compulsory child restraints in private vehicles for young children.

1980       Conference resolutions call for more research into alternative fuels as well as the introduction of random breath testing for drivers and a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 per cent.

1986       Conference resolutions called for helmets to become compulsory for cyclists.

Current issues

• Urge the Australian Government to review and strengthen penalties for biosecurity border breaches, reflecting the severe risks posed to agricultural products and the industry.
• Lobby all tiers of government to provide the resources required to locate, identify and eradicate Red Imported Fire Ant colonies including a public education program.
• Advocate the Department of Education (NSW) to provide reliable Wi-Fi, suitable portable devices, and printers to all Distance Education students in NSW and to explore new technologies to advance the future of Distance Education
• Advocate the NSW Government to fund and establish residential Tresillian facilities west of the Great Dividing Range.
• Advocate for free cervical screening for all women.
• Urge the Australian Government and all health organisations to provide more education and increased awareness on immunisation; and encourage more research into vaccines and resources to fight disease through immunisation.
• Advocate for improvements to emergency call handling protocols to ensure that when a Triple Zero (000) call is successfully connected following previous failed attempts, essential information is retained and transferred efficiently to avoid delays in dispatching emergency services; and support increased public awareness and accountability regarding emergency call processes, ensuring that regional, rural, and remote communities have confidence in the emergency response system.
• Urge the Australian Government to strengthen the legislative framework in relation to the accessibility of extreme and/or graphic digital content by children.

Not all women are interested in craft and cookery but are great at making the changes that affect everyone.

We understand that being part of a community involves contributing to the community, raising funds for important causes and supporting our local communities. This we achieve by providing help and support to Hospitals and support agencies through providing knitted beanies for Premmie Babies, knitted Blankets for aged care and Cancer patients, and Stress Teddies for young children in stressful situations, taking the focus away from the environment they find themselves in.

Our Branch Members are also in collaboration with young people and the schools in their area, having a strong involvement with their students.

Our CWA Tearooms are at most city and regional shows, providing tea and coffee, cakes and slices to the public for a small charge.

Yes, we are famous for our Scones and Jam and other baked goods. It is the money raised from activities such as the CWA Tearooms, Mother’s Day and Christmas Stalls, raffles, catering, selling preserves and jams, and other fundraisers that enable the CWA to support the larger community.

Perhaps you may be thinking of joining the CWA.

There are a diverse range of activities for you to be involved in, offering something for everyone:

• An annual study of International, Agriculture and Environmental topics which will offer an opportunity to share your knowledge (and research with our ladies).
• The opportunity to meet with like-minded members on cultural subjects, such as photography, story writing, painting, and arts and crafts.
• Our cookery, handicrafts and recycling items have become the staple of our fundraising efforts.

Competitions are also held within the CWA and are carried out annually to enable you the opportunity to compete and learn, at both Branch and State levels.

A number of these competitions are also open to non-members, an opportunity for your family and non-family to join in as well.

Perhaps you are a fabulous organiser, or maybe you have retired yet still feel you have much more to give, with skills to take on an office bearer role and represent our branch as a Delegate,  to attend conferences, and to vote for motions to be presented to parliament, so we can better the community.

And last, but not least, to have fun and make lifelong friends.

“We are kind of like the best kept secret, going around behind the scenes, doing some awesome advocating work and ensuring the government remains accountable”