Yass CWA is 97!

Earlier this year Yass Branch of the CWA celebrated a major milestone - 97 years of supporting country women, their families and the Yass community. To celebrate this significant milestone, our Patron, Joyce Denny, shared some of her experiences with Yass CWA.

Joyce has been an active member of Yass CWA since 1963, when as a young mother she and her family moved to Wee Jasper. The then President of the Yass Branch visited and invited Joyce to a meeting. Joyce, and her new baby attended their first meeting and Joyce was “hooked from the start”. Since then, Joyce has been very active in the Branch, having fulfilled the roles of Secretary, Branch President, Vice-President, Councillor, Delegate, Publicity Officer, International Officer, Group Vice-President, and now our beloved Patron, and has loved every minute of it.

Joyce has witnessed big changes over the years. She remembers that there were 30-40 active members of Yass CWA in her earlier days – CWA was a lifeline for Country women, somewhere to make friends, share experiences, and provide support to each other and their communities.

Today, the Branch is smaller in number, but continues to provide support to each other and the Yass community. The Branch remains a welcoming place, where each woman is supported and encouraged to participate in line with their interests and skills. Significant community support includes sponsoring Citizenship Awards in all local Primary and High Schools, awarding Education Grants to Year 6 Students transferring to High School, donating books to Pre-School, Kindergartens and Primary Schools, donations to local and ACT charities, supporting disaster appeals, emergency packs for refuges and charities, and support of Yass Meals on Wheels.

There is something for everyone at CWA. The CWA lobbies government on social issues, especially those affecting country communities and families. Members also support medical research and issues. Every year members study the history and culture of a different country, and this year it is Malaysia. Members also study Australian native flora and fauna species each year. Handicraft and cookery remain important, though as explained above, CWA is not all tea and scones.

Yass CWA meets at the CWA Rooms at Banjo Paterson Park on the first Thursday of every month, at 9.30am. They also have a social day on third Thursdays at 10am - and always welcome visitors to join in. If you would like to join the group and experience friendship, companionship, support, community involvement and opportunities to make a difference, please contact Brenda Phillips (President) on 0403 060 515.

Written by Kathy Day (CWA Publicity Officer)

• Topics:

• Community
• CWA