CWA to close

Picture: Luke Plummer.







YEARS of service will end in tears because women who have dedicated their lives to helping others cant get enough help themselves.

Lack of support has prompted Officers branch of the Country Womens Association to make a heartrending decision to disband.

The CWA has been a focal point for women wanting to make a contribution to the Officer community for almost 77 years.

But despite the womens proud record of support and service, the passing of time has taken its toll.

Officials say ageing membership and inability to attract new office bearers have made it impossible for the branch to continue.

The Officer CWA will cease to exist after a final gettogether in September the same month the group was established in 1929.

Branch president Beryl Chadderton said several of the organisations members were in their 80s and 90s. Even the youngest members were in their 60s, she said.

Nobody wants to do the jobs, many of the ladies are getting old and frail and cant do all the work anymore, Mrs Chadderton said.

Unfortunately, so many younger women these days work, even in the evenings, or are committed to their families and want to be at home with the kids, its hard to get people to give up their time.

Its very sad, but there is really no alternative.

CWA members gathered last Wednesday at the Officer Hall to begin the task of clearing out cupboards full of photo albums, craftworks and other memorabilia.

Secretary Gwen Monckton said it pained her to think the organisation to which she has given so much time to and received so much enjoyment from would soon be no more.

I will certainly shed a tear, she said.

Ive been in the CWA for 24 years, I joined in 1982 and was forced in by my mother who wouldnt take no for an answer.

It has been a very big part of my life, Ive made a lot of friendships and had many happy times, thats what you miss.

Vicepresident Joy Hicks, a CWA member for 23 years, said she and Gwen had held executive positions almost throughout their time with the organisation.

During that time, the branch had raised thousands of dollars for needy families and groups both home and abroad.

Our membership has dwindled over the years but the spirit has remained strong, she said.

Its hard to get people to do it these days because it is quite a lot of work and young people are much busier with their own lives.

Weve been facing this for a couple of years but we made it through our 75th birthday two years ago.

Mrs Monckton said she hoped the women of Officers CWA would continue to meet as friends after the branch folded.

Were going to call ourselves the Chicks Friendship Group which comes from one of the many names for the CWA Chicks With Attitude, she said.

Weve also been known as the ChinWaggers Association, lots of bad names, but weve done a lot of good too.