THERE was more on the table than cake at this year’s Country Women’s Association annual conference with diseases, drug support, rural crime, access to education and women’s health services all issues on the agenda for discussion and debate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There were 17 ladies from the Murrumbidgee Lachlan group at this year’s conference, which was held in Cowra.
This was the CWA’s 94th annual conference, marking almost a century of their invaluable work in rural and remote communities throughout Australia.
NSW Governor General David Hurley encouraged delegates at the conference to grasp change and continue in their role as the rock in rural and remote NSW a message that resonated with the Murrumbidgee Lachlan members.
The Hillston branch of the CWA put forward a motion asking that the CWA support rural and remote communities in maintaining access to women’s health services and to ensure that adequate funding is available for not for profit learning centres.
The issues of access to adequate health services and education have long concerned the Hillston branch, fuelling their tireless campaign to ensure residents of the town do not miss out on basic services.
Vice-president of the Hillston branch Lois Stalley has previously spoken on her group’s intention to campaign for education services.
“We want to see the government not base funding for early childhood on numbered criteria, because if that remains the case then out here in the bush we are never going to have the numbers to gain access to childcare at a reasonable price for normal families,” she said.
Delegates at the conference also asked for funding for education and subsidisation for the prevention and vaccination for Q fever, with the motions accepted by more than 600 delegates present.
Campaigning to raise awareness and money for rare diseases has been a big part of what the CWA do and this year they did not disappoint, presenting a cheque for $35,000 to the Lyme Disease Association of Australia to help them continue their efforts in research and treatment. Delegates voted to continue the funding and fundraising into the next year.
Funds were also presented by the group to the Salvation Army to assist with providing mobile drug support services to western and north-western NSW. Members from the area were recognised in the Handicraft and Ag and Environment displays with several collecting prizes over the week. Bev from the Barellan branch was awarded the Donna Latter Memorial chocolate cake trophy while Dianne of the Hillston branch winning the Tremorva Trophy for photography.
