A CENTURY on from its formation, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Queanbeyan Branch remains just as relevant to the local community as it did in 1923. 

Well known for its advocacy of rural women’s issues and extensive fundraising activities, the CWA continues to be an important voice in communities such as Queanbeyan. 

As it celebrates its centenary this year, Queanbeyan Evening Branch members are reminiscing upon the association’s long history of commitment to the community. 

Branch stalwart Fern MacLachlan, 83, joined the CWA over a quarter of a century ago, largely for the friendship that the association provided. 

“I was new to Burra at the time, so I joined to get to know other rural women,” MacLachlan said. 

“It’s the friendship and the networking that I love the most because you meet people from everywhere.” 

The CWA of NSW celebrated its centenary last year having been formed in 1922. The Queanbeyan branch was established the following year in March 1923. 

During its long history the Queanbeyan CWA transitioned from a day branch to an evening branch where meetings were held outside of work hours, as more women entered the workforce. 

“When I first joined, I was in the day branch but now there’s only the evening branch,” said MacLachlan. 

“We have 40 or so members which really is a very good number. When the evening branch first started there were probably about a dozen members, so it has really grown and there’s a lot of younger people joining.” 

While the CWA remains as important today as it did in 1923, it has also changed with the times. 

Members recall turning up for meetings dressed in hats and gloves, and the meeting minutes were recorded entirely by hand. 

“The women used to wear hats and gloves, stockings and matching handbags to the meetings. It was very formal,” MacLachlan said. 

“And absolutely everything from the meeting was recorded by hand.” 

Probably best known for its cakes and scones, the CWA’s contribution is far greater than most people realise. 

As 40-year member Chris Tarlinton points out, one of the association’s most important roles was during the establishment of the former baby health centres in rural communities. 

“The thing I remember the most about the CWA when I was a child was the impact of the baby health centres,” said Tarlinton, 66. 

“My mum would talk a lot about them and how much they helped mothers and their babies; they were a big thing back then. 

“The CWA has been instrumental in helping to establish many things like the cat eyes and white lines on the side of the road, and seat belts on school buses. Particularly in country areas we have been able to improve a lot of things.” 

MacLachlan remembers a wartime CWA where women sewed sheepskin vests for fighter pilots and camouflage nets for troops. 

“During World War II a lot of the ladies in the Queanbeyan branch made sheepskin vests for the pilots, because the planes weren’t air conditioned or anything,” said MacLachlan. 

“A lot of the camouflage nets were also made here in Queanbeyan by the ladies and sent overseas to the troops. 

“A funny thing about the sheepskin vests was that the German pilots thought they were bullet proof, and they were frightened of the Australian pilots in these vests.” 

While many organisations struggle to attract younger members, the Queanbeyan CWA is not one of them, having a strong interest from young women in the local community wanting to join their ranks. 

“More and more young people are getting involved, and we are going down different avenues now like having virtual meetings and electronic record keeping,” said Tarlinton. 

“Making it to 100 is an incredible achievement. We have a bright future ahead.”