CWA COMMUNITY Threads
By Andrea Rowe Photos Yanni
W
hen most people talk of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria (CWA) they inevitably fall into referencing apron-clad grandmothers serving scones at local shows. But lift the tea-towel ever so slightly and you’ll find a collective of capable women crafting, cooking, advocating, volunteering and making things happen in their communities.
She established the night-time branch and by 2017 became Group President for the Mornington Peninsula. She looked after 10 branches in the region, opening Red Hill and re-opening the Somerville branches. By 33, Marnie was the second youngest CWA Group President in Victoria and mentored others.
Marnie Turner is amongst them, and she’s been instrumental in transforming how the CWA contributes to the Mornington Peninsula.
While she was attracted initially to the fellowship of Australia’s largest women’s organisation, it had its limitations.
In 2014, a 30-year-old Marnie became the Founding President of the first night branch of the CWA on the Mornington Peninsula; the Peninsula Belles Branch.
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20 | PENINSULA
She has recently returned to the Peninsula Belles President role while working full time, raising her daughter and studying.
“It seemed to me that the CWA was the domain of older people who had more spare time. They met during the day only, and that just wasn’t compatible with my working life. I was sure we could re-shape CWA opportunities for younger locals.” continued next page...
April 2020