The CWA Country Women’s Association is Australia’s largest women’s organisation. It is a powerful movement for change that empowers and supports women and their communities from the country and city in NSW & ACT who meet to fundraise and lobby for better health care for women and children in their communities. I spoke with Donna Robertson, Chair of Tea Room Catering, “When a woman gets something in her mind that needs to be changed, we can do it! “. Approximately 8,000 women, 370 local branches falling into 30 groups that help improve social, educational, recreational and medical projects. They have a publication called The Country Women Journal, published 6 times a year, and members contribute stories.
CWA’s first Sydney branch was opened in Cumberland in 1923. The first baby health centre opened in Moree in 1925. In 1930, the hospital visiting committee was formed to coordinate visitors for country people in city hospitals. In 1937, the CWA of NSW adopted the Flying Doctor (now the Royal Flying Doctor Service) as a project raising funds for them. Other initiatives include better road safety in the country, more regional universities, fundraising for natural disasters, advocacy for Aboriginal Health & housing, mental health, disability & aged care, family welfare, and better food labelling.
The first CWA tearoom opened in 1947 at the Show & operates from the Home, Garden & Lifestyle pavilion. Volunteers sell over 40,000 scones during the Show. All profits go to work of the CWA in NSW. With 78 years of serving visitors at the Show, it is the biggest revenue earner for the CWA. Sponsors include Manildra flour, Nescafe, Pepe Saya, and Pace Farm Eggs. The tearoom sells calico bags, jams, relishes, cookbooks, tea towels, assorted cakes, biscuits at the Promotions Table, membership & raffle tickets. New members will receive The Country Women Journal, a badge and be put in touch with a local branch. It’s the biggest fundraiser and PR event for the year. If you would like to volunteer contact volunteer’s supervisor Yvette at cwashowkiosk@gmail.com. The minimum age is 16, and volunteers work 4-hour shifts and receive free scones and jam, a sandwich, and entry to the Show. This year, gluten-free cakes, pies and sausage rolls will be available. “I know it’s a bit of a cliché, and people say you only make scones & jam, but every cent that we make goes to bettering women & children.” Donna Robertson.
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Donna Robertson CWA Chair of Tea Room Catering
