Pictured is Heather Mackinnon (chair of CWA sub-committee) and Maria Willis (representing Forbes Shire Council) admiring the CWA Centenary Seat.
The two CWA Branches in Forbes collaborated to celebrate the Centenary of NSW Country Women’s Association by providing a lasting memorial to the CWA women in the Forbes and District, they did that by purchasing a centenary garden seat. This seat is now in Victoria Park, Forbes for all of the public to use.
With the help of a Community Grant provided by the Forbes Shire Council, CWA was able to purchase a wrought iron backed seat made by the Wagga Iron Foundry. The seat features the CWA symbol and the dates 1922 and 2022 adorn the back of the seat.
“There are so many ladies from the local area who have worked tirelessly for the community so we thought this would be a timely tribute to them and a useful way to remember their commitment to rural and regional communities,” commented Heather Mackinnon, a member of the joint sub-committee working hard to see this project through to its completion.
“Forbes CWA Branch celebrate their 100 th birthday in 2026 so there is a long history of community work and advocacy here which needs be acknowledged,” said Sue Cunningham, another member of the sub-committee.
“It’s a very proud moment for CWA to be able to provide this seat for the public to
use, showing that CWA is still alive and active. That’s really important," Jan Kerr, Vice President of NSW CWA said.
‘To be able to put something in a public place that commemorates the longevity of CWA in NSW is a really great thing to have been able to do,” Jan commented.
The Forbes CWA and the Forbes Evening Branch members wish to thank Sarah Savage and the Forbes Shire Council for their assistance in making this project, in recognition of all of the local CWA work, possible.