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Community

1 August, 2024

Country Women’s Association celebrates milestone

MEMBERS of the Terang Country Women’s Association (CWA) branch celebrated 96 years of supporting women, families and communities across the region.


Earlier this month branch members gathered for a lunch to celebrate the historic milestone during their monthly craft day.

Terang CWA branch secretary Nancy Fowler said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of the club.

“The Victorian Country Women’s Association was formed at an open conference at Government House in March 1928,” she said.

“Lady Somers was the convenor, and she spoke about the need for a state-wide organised body of country women to speak with authority and to command attention to matters of public interest, connected with country affairs.

“Terang was one of the early branches to form over the state on July 30, 1928.”

The formation of the CWA Terang Branch saw membership set at four shillings per year, with the first Monday of the month chosen for meetings so the women could attend while men were at the sale.

In the early stages of the association, meetings were held at the Mechanics Ante Room until rest rooms were opened upstairs at Johnstone Court.

Flowers and other produce were sold to provide funds for a cleaner and cover rent of six pounds and 10 shillings per month.

“First craft demonstrations were on rug making, soft toys and quilts,” Mrs Fowler said.

“The Terang Branch supported The Blind Auxiliary, the hospital and collections of silver paper to raise money for the eye and ear hospital.”

Over the years the branch was involved in a wide range of fundraisers, including the 1939 Bush Fire Relief to support those devastated by the Black Friday bushfires and fundraising for The Red Cross in their World War II efforts.

The Terang Branch also raised funds to support the introduction of an Ambulance in town, and in 1946 sent money to Food for Britain.

With so much attention dedicated to fundraising for relief efforts, it took 30 years before the branch would turn its fundraising efforts to a cause of its own.

“In August 1958 a tender was accepted by R&G Paton for the building of club rooms for 2746 pounds and 10 shillings,” Mrs Fowler said.

“The Terang CWA Hall was opened on Friday, December 5.”

“Over the years extensive renovations have been made to the hall, including weather boards being replaced with colour bond cladding, aluminium windows installed and a new disabled toilet built.

“The hall is now managed by the South Western Group, and all group meetings are held in Terang.”

Despite the lengthy history of advocacy, empowerment and generosity which the club has shown, membership has begun to decline in Terang over the years.

Mrs Fowler said a warm welcome was extended to anyone interested in joining the CWA Terang branch to ensure its history would continue for decades to come.

“Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 1pm,” she said.

“Although fewer in numbers, members continue to follow the aims and objectives of the CWA – to help women and children in difficult circumstances, be it locally, nationally or internationally.

“Members raise funds to provide donations for medical research, emergency funds for floods, fires or other disasters.

“All branches contribute to provide scholarships for education, and they provide warm beanies, scarves, gloves and rugs for homeless people, and knit teddies for trauma victims and make calico dolls for hospital patients.

“Group Craft Days are held every three months and new skills are taught – it is very rewarding, a friendly association, and the kettle is always boiling.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member is invited to contact Nancy Fowler on 5592 1051

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