HARSTON CWA

Recently, the Country Women’s Association of Victoria, held their Ninety-Fourth State Conference and AGM at the Melbourne Royal, previously known as the Melbourne Showgrounds or Royal Melbourne Show. This was our first face to face meeting since Covid, and were we thrilled to see each other after three years. Often you will hear the ladies say, how friendships made through meeting other members at CWA lasts a lifetime. It’s absolutely true, Hugs and kisses through masks!

The State President and Past State Presidents, along with the Members of Honour were led into the room at the Victoria Pavilion by a Scottish Pied piper, love or loath the Bagpipes they were loud.

Four members represented our area, one each from Harston, Mooroopna, Potters and Rodney.

Over the course of the two days, many General resolutions were debated, for example.

Resolution 1. The Country Women’s Association of Vic Inc. urges the Victorian State Government and the Opposition, to reject any proposal to introduce dingos into the Grampians or National Parks.

Resolution 3. That the Country Women’s Association of Vic. Inc. urges the Victorian State Government to strengthen the sex workers act 1994 and legislative framework to decrease the occurrence of illegal brothels in Victoria.

Resolution 5. That the County Women’s Association of Vic Inc. opposes the recent job losses at Agriculture Victoria and urges the Victorian Government to urgently commit to restoring the work force and funding of Agriculture Victoria. There were many more Resolutions than the three above, the State President will write to the Victorian Government, and these will certainly be followed up upon, as you can see the CWA is more than scones, cream, and jam. Speaking of the Melbourne Royal show, it is back again this year and members of Goulburn Valley West Group will once again volunteer their time in the cafeteria.

Locally, Harston Branch met at the Tatura Bowls Club rooms, we enjoyed a lovely morning tea, followed by a meeting of only eight ladies, perhaps the long weekend had them preoccupied. The winner of ‘Any Broach’ went to Mrs. Freda Clement for her beautiful porcelain flower pin, with Mrs. Margaret Corrigan 2nd and Mrs. Fay Alexander 3rd. The best bloom in a flower went to Mrs. Margaret Chance, with Fay 2nd and Freda 3rd. The Branch raffle was won by Mrs. Marilyn Pell.

Harston Branch will get back into their fundraising by attending, the Rushworth Arts and Craft Market Day on Saturday 2nd July 2022, at the Rushworth Shire Hall starting at 8.30am until 1.00pm. We will be having a trading table with CWA cookbooks, Home-made craft, Preserves and Nic Naks. Fresh produce from our garden, plants and, wait for it, freshly made Jam and scones to purchase.

Yours in CWA Friendship

Mrs. Marilyn Pell (Harston Branch)