Country Women's Association revitalised with push for younger members

More younger women are joining the long-standing organisation and rejuvenating its brand, while showing being a member is about much more than baking scones.

It is an opportunity for women to strengthen their connection to community, create strong friendships and learn new skills while becoming part of a nationwide and international movement that has a strong political voice.

Women who are interested in a changing CWA are starting up new branches. In many regions there is an older, long-established group and one or more new groups that are catering for changing needs and desires - offering night or weekend meetings to include working women and young mothers.

The CWA is not just about cooking. It is about supporting women and children, giving back to community, taking a stance on issues and advocating to government.

Anne Anthony, Raglan CWA

A new CWA branch in Beaufort in regional Victoria, epitomises this new-found resurgence in the organisation.

The branch that started in October last year now has 14 members - nearly all have lived in the area less than 10 years, while some are longer term residents who were looking for a fresh take on the traditional CWA.

The group has made quick progress in the community its first six months, creating flags to decorate Beaufort during the Rainbow Serpent Festival, beginning a plot at the Beaufort community vegetable patch and hosting an inaugural luncheon.

The luncheon, held at Eurambeen Historic Homestead and Gardens, celebrated the life of Beaufort CWA founder and CWA Victoria president Amy Beggs, who is buried at the property.

Raglan CWA president Anne Anthony said her perception of the CWA had changed since joining the Raglan group, although fellow members brag she makes delicious scones.

"A lot of people we talk to about joining the group say 'I can't cook'," she said.

"The CWA is not just about cooking. It is about supporting women and children, giving back to community, taking a stance on issues and advocating to government."

The objective of CWA Australia is to advance the rights and equity of women, families and communities in Australia through advocacy and empowerment, especially for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Part of the CWA story is about what is happening in the country too - the whole of Ballarat and Beaufort are going through a big change and resurgence.

Sarah Beaumont, Raglan CWA member

The Australian association was formed in 1945 to provide a single voice to the federal government on behalf in individual state and territory organisations.

It now has 17,000 members Australia wide and is affiliated with the Associated Country Women of the World which works to raise the standard of living, provide practical support for women and girls and eliminate gender discrimination.

CWA of Australia is currently participating in campaigns to ban alcohol advertising in sport, change laws around patient access to herbal medicinal cannabis, and raise awareness of the lack of equitable access to mental health support for rural and remote communities.

The CWA of Victoria has focused on disaster assistance projects this year, providing 400 individual $3000 grants to families suffering drought in Victoria.

The Victorian CWA AGM held in Williamstown at the weekend discussed resolutions to advocate for legislation that all new residential developments must provide a percentage of quality housing for those on low incomes, to approach the government to run a full train service to Horsham and to discuss strategies to address growing isolation in rural communities.

CWA of Victoria chair of membership Peg Higginbottom said changing old perceptions of the CWA was vital to the association's sustainability.

"We are trying to remain relevant by keeping in touch with younger women and getting new branches running. Each branch can decide what they want to do to retain their own relevance," she said.

"We certainly are attracting younger women, anywhere from 18 on and we have 305 junior members under the age of 18 in Victoria. But the biggest increase has been with women in their late 40s, many of whom are professional women.

"I have found women who are home all day with small children or commuting to Melbourne for work haven't had the chance to meet their neighbours or get involved in community. A major reason for joining is to make new friends and to be able to give back to community."

Eurambeen Historic Homestead and Gardens owner Sarah Beaumont said she was loving being a part of the new Raglan CWA group.

"The group of women in the Raglan CWA are fantastic, interesting, skillful, good gardeners, good cooks and good at all sorts of crafts," she said.

"There is a variety of ages, quite a few retirees. I would love for more young women. A lot of the older women have life experience and many have had their own businesses, so I see an opportunity to mentor younger women in all sorts of ways.

"Most importantly there is always a lot of laughter."

Ms Beaumont said she recognised the group had potential to grow, be an influential political force on women's issues and prevent isolation in communities by creating connections.

"When I first moved here from Melbourne seven years ago it took me quite a while to make connections in the community as I was busy setting up my business. If I had CWA early on I think I would have felt more connected to the community sooner," she said.

"Having a newer group with lots of tree changers means we are all seeking to make connections and friendships. Starting fresh we can define how we want to be.

"I think part of the CWA story is about what is happening in the country too."

CWA members acknowledge that with change comes challenges.

Many new members have faced resistance to change and hostility from older groups.

But at its core the CWA constitution is about friendship and the organisation's leaders are embracing change to remain relevant and sustainable.

The constitution was changed last year to introduce a modern governance structure with a board instead of the previous state council of 60 members.

Our future is to engage younger women and appreciate what they have to offer.

Peg Higginbottom, CWA of Victoria

Ms Higginbottom said to remain relevant, the organisation needed more younger women in senior office bearer positions.

"Our future is to engage younger women and appreciate what they have to offer," she said.

"I think we have to get much better at self-promoting and telling people what we do. We need to be in touch with the issues of the day and be savvy with social media and in the press.

"It is an exciting organisation. We are growing and getting stronger - more women should come along. There are branches in the city, branches that meet during the day or night. There will always be a branch that suits you."

Visit cwaofvic.org.au for more information about the association and branch locations.

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