General News
8 July, 2021
Country Women’s Association celebrates commemoration
MORTLAKE Country Women’s Association (CWA) Day Branch members have taken the opportunity during relaxed COVID-19 restrictions to celebrate the installation of a planter seat, which honours the group’s 90th anniversary.
MORTLAKE Country Women’s Association (CWA) Day Branch members have taken the opportunity during relaxed COVID-19 restrictions to celebrate the installation of a planter seat, which honours the group’s 90th anniversary.
The seating arrangement came to fruition thanks to a collaborative effort between the Mortlake CWA Day Branch, Moyne Shire and Mortlake South Wind Farm developer Acciona.
The planter seating was completed in February last year, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic thrust Victoria in to uncertainty.
Mortlake CWA Day Branch president Joanne Jackson said the completed planter seating looked “great”.
“Particularly in this lovely area outside the Mortlake library,”she said.
“Unfortunately we were going to have a celebration at the time, but we got to this stage and thought we would just do it today (last Friday).
“We’d like to thank the Moyne Shire and Acciona, because these things don’t come cheap.
“It is lovely to have their support, and to think they would think this is a worthwhile organisation to support is very gratifying.”
Moyne Shire councillor Ian Smith was among the attendees to congratulate the CWA on its well-deserved recognition.
Cr Smith said groups like the CWA were the “soul of the community”.
“It is great to have the opportunity to acknowledge the CWA and its members,” he said.
“Acknowledging the work that the CWA has done in the Mortlake district for more than 90 years is important to the Moyne Shire.
“The dedication of the seating arrangement represents a great community service which the members of the CWA have provided.
“The seating complements the new library facade, which I think is terrific.”
Acciona community and stakeholder liaison Theo Carroll said the company was proud to support the project.
“ACCIONA is proud to support the work of the Mortlake Country Women’s Association, particularly helping to commemorate such an important milestone for the Mortlake branch,” he said.
“We’re so pleased the group has now been able to get together and celebrate its anniversary.”
While reaching the 90-year mark was a point of pride for the Mortlake CWA Day Branch, Ms Jackson had already begun eyeing the next milestone.
“We’re wondering if we’re going to get to 100,” she said.
“That’s the next challenge, some of us won’t see it but some of us will.”
She said the CWA Day Branch provided local women with a place to build social bonds, but maintained a strong emphasis on involvement in community welfare and education.
“It’s a place where women can share ideas and share some education,” Ms Jackson said.
“For example, with this being the year of Indigenous Australia, we’ve had speakers from the Aboriginal community coming along to talk to us.
“So there is a learning side which accompanies the social side, along with plenty of cooking and knitting.”
Ms Jackson said the CWA Day Branch would “love the opportunity to grow its membership” as it marches proudly towards its centenary.
“We’re getting a lot older, and volunteering is not terribly easy these days,” she said.
“We’d like anybody to join, and everyone is welcome.”
Those interested in becoming a member of the Mortlake CWA day branch are encouraged to visit cwaofvic.org.au or inquire in the Mortlake Library.
