Around 50 women gathered in Gloucester to discuss the issues affecting women and families in regional areas.
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Gloucester’s Country Women’s Association (CWA) Evening Branch hosted the Mid North Coast Group meeting at the CWA rooms on Tuesday July 31.
The group, consisting of 18 branches from Nambucca to Gloucester and along the coast, meetd four times a year to vote on issues that are taken to the State executive to be brought forward to parliament.
Part of CWA of NSW’s aim is to be the voice of all women in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory and to bring the issues to all levels of Government.
And this voice matters, with CWA having a hand in the removal of the tampon tax, the safe access to abortion services bill, and most recently, the $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package announced by the State government on July 30.
President of the CWA of NSW, Annette Turner said the group was glad the NSW Government is offering assistance to farmers “in the face of one of the worst droughts in recent memory.”
“We have been calling for months for the NSW Government to not only acknowledge the extent of this drought disaster, but to also put in place some meaningful assistance that will make some difference where it’s needed most,” Annette said.
The drought was just one of the topics discussed during the meeting in Gloucester where members from 13 branches shared their thoughts, each other’s company and a warm, home-cooked meal.
Members from Gloucester day and evening branch were in attendance, along with members from Taree, Wingham, Forster and Bulahdelah.
Group president, Margaret Breust said the NSW CWA branches add funds to an emergency and relief fund throughout the year to ensure there are funds available for things like fire and drought relief.
At the moment, funds of up to $3,000 for recent accounts, like bills and food, are available for farmers via the CWA of NSW Drought Aid link on the website or via https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/droughtaid.html
The next time the group is due to get together is for the annual conference on Thursday, October 25 in South West Rocks.
Not only will the group be voting in a new president after Margaret sees the end of her three years in the role (the maximum amount of time allowed), it will also be celebrating its 90th birthday.