CWA unveils a park bench

This year CWA of NSW is celebrating its 100th anniversary and members of the Gilgandra branch decided to mark the occasion with the installation of a park bench.

Members and guests met at the park on Saturday to officially open the seat and to share in a morning tea. Guests of honour including Joy Beames, CWA NSW state president, and mayor of Gilgandra Shire Council, Cr Doug Batten. Other guests attended from the community, and other local and regional CWA branches. Member Helen Oates began the proceedings with an Acknowledgement to Country, paying respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.

Mrs Oates explained that the group applied to the Gilgandra Shire Council’s 2021 grant fund - Scrap Metal Project.

“This proposal reflected our intention to provide to the Gilgandra community, a park bench to be located in Hunter Park - near our CWA rooms,” said Mrs Oates.

The bench features a plaque with the 100 years CWA logo, commemorating both the state level organisation and the anniversary of the Gilgandra day-branch’s formation in 1922.

“We were overjoyed to earlier this year be notified that not only was our grant application successful, but that the Gilgandra Shire Council would fully fund this project,” said Mrs Oates.

“CWA has provided funds and purchased the suitably engraved plaque. It is important to recognise the significant role that CWA continues to play in regional, rural, and remote areas, supported by our coastal and city fellow members,” she said.

“And acknowledging the achievements of NSW CWA in the last 100 years in advocating for diversity, charity and change.”

Gilgandra branch vice-president Hilda Newstead said a prayer, followed by the CWA Motto. Cr Batten then unveiled the new bench, installed in its place under the shade of the trees.

The unveiling was followed by “a very enjoyable morning tea” at the CWA rooms.