One focus of the CWA is to assist and support women and children in country areas. The branch’s attention was drawn to the issue of children who visit the Forbes Women’s Refuge who may not have many personal items with them as it is emergency accommodation for women facing some form of domestic crisis and need to leave home quickly.

To make the children feel more “at home” and safe, the CWA Evening Branch provide pyjamas for children up to the age of 14. A pair of pyjamas may not be a lot but when you have little or nothing and have had to leave the comfort of home quickly without much, it can be comforting to have something that can be kept and taken with them when they move to longer term accommodation. It gives the children something of their own.

Another focus of the CWA is to encourage friendship and broaden members’ cultural knowledge and experiences.

At the May meeting some of those recently experienced cultural events by members were discussed. Just a few of them included joining an archaeological dig just outside Forbes in a dry creek bed and quarry where fossilised remains of small water born creatures called Triobites were unearthed by a group of researchers from the Sydney Museum with locals assisting.

Other experiences included traveling on the Ghan, visiting the Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame (Alice Springs), exploring the Royal Flying Doctors Service, School of the Air and experiencing the Bombing of Darwin through a virtual 3D display (Darwin).

“Inked,” a display of cartoons satirising political and social issues was also visited at the National Gallery Canberra.

Each year the CWA nominate an issue in the agricultural area to focus on. This year the Agricultural focus is on Honey. To fit in with this issue some members explained the process of making environmentally friendly food wraps by using beeswax and cotton material.

At the July meeting members will experiment by making some of these popular wraps to replace the use of plastic food wrap in an effort to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Members of the group, Robyn Miller, Karen Wright, Stephanie Allen and Grace Allen who attended the Royal Easter Show gave a brief talk about their experiences working on the CWA stand.

They were involved in all parts of the service whether it was making scones, serving scones, and washing up the mountains of dirty plates. These ladies were also able to provide moral support for Forbes entrant, Sally Downie, in the Miss Showgirl competition.

Congratulations to Sally on achieving a very creditable second runner up and surviving what was a very long and arduous week for all the contestants.

New members are welcome to attend any meeting which are held every second Thursday evening of each month at the Vandenburg Hotel at 6.30pm.

By Sue Cunningham
Publicity Officer,
CWA Forbes Evening Branch

What a catch by Adriaan van Wyk!

Last week Riverina Nationals’ MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack lauded the efforts of volunteers as “champions of their local communities”. The praise came as events rolled out to acknowledge the hard work of volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

“Volunteers are so important to the social fabric of our local communities,” Mr McCormack said.

“Every day, we should be thanking those who sacrifice their time to make our regions even better places to live and work. Having a dedicated week to show our appreciation is the least we can do to show the pillars of our local communities that we care about what they do for the Riverina and Central West,” continued Mr McCormack.

“Volunteers are champions of their local communities and whether it is helping out the local sporting club, assisting our most vulnerable or putting time in recovery efforts after a significant storm, these selfless individuals play an essential role in helping to shape rural and regional Australia as well as helping to build resilience in our towns and regional capitals,” continued Mr McCormack.

The Liberal and Nationals’ Government recognises these efforts by providing grants through its Volunteer Grants Program.

“In the most recent round, 40 grants were given to well-deserved organisations including $3,550 for Forbes Cancer Patients Assistance Society, $4,750 for Forbes Fins Swimming Club Inc, $4,959 for Forbes Rugby Union Club Inc and $1,500 for the Forbes Toy Library,” Mr McCormack said.

“These grants, which range from $1,000 to $5,000, seem small but they make such a tangible difference for volunteer organisations to be able to continue the invaluable work they do in our communities.”

Last Thursday Phil Donato met with young emerging leaders of the community who travelled to NSW Parliament from seven different schools in the Orange electorate including Red Bend Catholic College, as part of the Student Leadership Program.

During the visit students had the opportunity to ask questions of attending MPs about leadership, making decisions and representation.

“It was wonderful to have Year 12 student leaders from across the Orange electorate spend the day at Parliament and see what happens during a sitting week,” Mr Donato said.

“The Student Leadership Program is a great initiative which aims to inspire and foster the development of student leaders toward post-school leadership in our community,” continued Mr Donato.

Attending on the day were students from Parkes High School, Orange Christian School, Red Bend Catholic College, Canowindra High School, Molong Central School, Yeoval Central School and Peak Hill Central School.

Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin held their Annual Bridge Day at Bogan Gate on 7th April, with players from West Wyalong joining in. The CWA catered for everyone for the 12th time making it a thoroughly enjoyable day.

President Marion McIntyre laid a wreath on behalf of the CWA at the local Anzac Day Dawn Service. Ten members attended the May meeting. International officer Heather Veal provided interesting information on the country of study this year, Papua New Guinea. Some members have started writing their life stories after attending a workshop at the Parkes Library.

As this drought is still crippling the community, the CWA will be helping Bogan Gate and Gunningbland farmers and their families by hosting a free bbq night at the Railway Hotel in Bogan Gate on 29th June at 6:30pm.

“We hope many will come to this night as it is very important in these times to mix with friends and all help each other,” said the organisers.

The next meeting is on Thursday, 20th June at 1:30pm at the hall. Visitors are always most welcome.