By Callum Ludwig
The Wandin Branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) has celebrated a very special milestone as they hit 90 years of existence.
This year is actually the branch’s 91st birthday, with the first movements made to establish the branch in 1931, but the event was postponed until this year due to Covid-19.
President of the Wandin CWA branch Lyndall Rowe said the branch found a home in 1938, when a proposal to build the Wandin CWA Hall went ahead.
“We’ve been in the same hall right through until now, with an addition to the hall since then, but it has continued to be there,” she said.
“We haven’t had any breaks either, through this whole long time, some other branches have had little breaks where they haven’t had enough members but Wandin has continued right through.” During the celebration they also honoured a number of members for their long service: Beryl Greenwood 14 years, Lyndall Rowe 15 years, Linda Pinheiro 30 years, Nancy Williams 34 years, Joan Millsom 34 years and Sandra Reed 22 years.
The Wandin CWA branch used to send care packages full of bandages, socks and other knitted items over to England throughout World War II and into the 1950s. It now focuses on community efforts, such as donating to homelessness organisations.
Secretary Sue Lawrence said they’ve been doing a lot since Covid restrictions have eased.
“During the full lockdown we gave $300 to Anchor and donated a whole heap of blankets and toys to be given to the homeless,” she said.
“We also donate every month to The Mustard Tree [Op Shop and Cafe] in Lilydale and then we donate to the food bank there at Christmas time. We recently did some knitted and crocheted items for EACH and $50 Coles vouchers for families who need it.”
The Wandin CWA branch meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the Wandin CWA Hall at 1.30pm, as well as meeting for craft activities every Wednesday Morning from 10am to 1pm.
Ms Rowe said they are always open for people to come along and become new members.
“I think it’s very important to have women represented in the community. It’s not just country women anymore either, there are a number of branches opening up in the city. You don’t have to be able to make scones or knit or crochet either,” she said.
“It’s for friendship, togetherness and sharing. It’s good to comfort women, who may find themselves a little bit isolated at times, to be able to get together and talk and have a social outing. For some senior members, it’s really only outing that they have, when they come to the hall once a week for craft and once a month for our meetings.”
On Saturday 29 October, the Wandin CWA branch is hosting a Garden and Market Day at the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead in Wandin North to raise funds, with 20 stalls interested in the event at current and the usual blacksmith, wood shed and cafe open at Mont De Lancey.
Member for Evelyn Bridget Vallence MP attended the celebration and said it was an absolute pleasure to join the Wandin CWA women in celebrating 90 years strong.
“There are so many women here, and it just demonstrates how strong the CWA is in our community. They do such wonderful work supporting our community fundraising, and helping vulnerable people in our community,” she said.
“Over the last couple of years, it’s been a real challenge with Covid but they’ve been shoulders for each other to lean on through those very difficult times, and really are a central part of our community. It’s just a credit to them how strong they’ve been, and I think they’re only going to go for the next 90 years.”
