The Country Women’s Association Victoria is synonymous with many things, nothing more iconic than scones and jam. While CWA scones and jam may be lovingly made, there is much more to the CWA than a scone recipe.
The CWA of Victoria, with hundreds of branches around the state, is bound by a common core value: supporting vulnerable women, children and families.
There are now many evening branches, assisting the CWA to be current and accessible to women.
The Woodend evening branch, known as the ‘Woodend Eves’, is continually supporting the next generation and last year focused on supporting young people.
Not only did the branch make a donation from its fundraising efforts to Live4Life, a community organisation based in Woodend that focuses on youth mental health, but after months of work the branch launched an inaugural Community Scholarship Award.
The branch offered the four local primary schools an award for grade six students entering high school to help their families with the increasing costs of living and education costs.
Award criteria includes: commitment to the community, advocate for social issues, focus on friendship and personal development.
Gratitude for the award was evident on the recipients’ faces, and those of their families and the wider school communities.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the amazing women that make up the Woodend Eves,” branch president Lucy Olson said.
“Finding an enduring way through the scholarship program to promote the values of the branch is a wonderful way to be able to cement ourselves in our local community.”
This year, the branch aims to focus on supporting women through positive friendship, supporting disaster relief causes and connecting with the elderly in the community.
Branch members plan to have guest speakers on these topics and focus some of their donations and volunteer time to these sectors.
All CWA members are volunteers who give their time, kitchens and home craft skills to sell, with the funds going straight back to the community assisting vulnerable women, children and families.
“Next time you see the CWA selling their wares outside a local newsagency, at a local market or at an event, know that you have a lovingly made homemade gem that gives back to the community,” Ms Olson said.
For more information about the Woodend branch of the CWA, visit their Facebook page or go to the CWA website to find your local branch.
