Macquarie Group CWA Report - August 22, 2023

The Macquarie Group Council Meeting was held at Tooraweenah. There was an acknowledgment of Country , followed by a minutes silence remembering those who need our thoughts and prayers.

The National Anthem and the CWA Motto were recited, and there was a warm welcome to Tanya Hutchison, president of the CWA Tooraweenah branch. She wished everyone a successful and happy meeting.

Tanya Hutchison was nominated as first aid officer. President Ruth Shanks was in the chair. After that there was the adoption of the March council meeting minutes, correspondence etc. All reports were very well received.

Executive to state is Robyn Godwin. The executive meeting was held at the CWA house in Mascot, last month.

Robyn advised members that Fact Days have been conducted in a number of groups, and more are planned, includ- ing Macquarie group in September .

Congratulations were extended to Lyn Braico on her election as the new South Pacific area president. Funds raised for Women Walk the World must still go to Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

The South Pacific area conference is to be held in Griffith, in September 2024. CWA membership numbers remain stable at around 8000. Media training at the meeting was presented by Kylie

Galbraith from Seftons.

•••

Secretaries Report

A reminder that members must have their subs paid to be eligible to hold an office position or to vote, subs are due by the end of September 2023.

•••

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer's are reminded that your books should be given to the group treasurer at the group conference, which will be held in October at Collie.

•••

Ag and Environment Report

Mouse Plague - Experiments with Wheatgerm oil in crops have had moder- ate success with confusing the pests away from grain seed, significantly reducing damage to crops and possibly making them too busy to satisfy their reproductive urges. NSW candidate for AgriFutures Rural Women's Award is Michelle Leonard of Moorambilla.

•••

Handicraft Report

For handicraft this year, branch chal- lenges will be four spectacle cases - you must remember that these need to be pre- sented in an A4 zip lock bag and each one should have the identifying label; eg. branch, name, and number.

The internet is a great source of infor- mation on any handicraft with tutors showing demonstrations of technique etc. Good luck to all members.

•••

International Report

Karen spoke about her wonderful trip to Malaysia.

In September 2023, the state interna- tional officer will hold an information day for all CWA members. The dates for the information day are in this months ‘The Country Woman’.

Congratulations to Gilgandra St Josephs school year six for third prize in the international power point presentation, and to Ruth Cargill Dubbo evening branch for coming second in the interna- tional handicraft for her beautiful gloves.

•••

Cultural Report 

A report on the CWA Sunday service which was held in Dubbo also notified members of the state photography section.

•••

LAND Cookery Report

Congratulations to Joan Yeo for third in the butter cake, Jan Sawers for third in the chocolate cake, and Liz Johanson for third in the lemon and carrot marmalade at the state conference which was held in Bathurst.

•••

Publicity Report 

There was a briefing of all articles published and updated members on the Wagga Wagga Daily Advertisers competition. Reminder to members to print out all social media items to add to your pub- licity book. The Gilgandra CWA will have a stall at the market to showcase CWA awareness day.

•••

At the conclusion of the meeting, Sue Armstrong presented a certificate to the five branches who participated in organ- ising and catering for the Gilgandra Film Festival, signed by artistic director and filmmaker Simon Target, and festival director Sue Armstrong.

Participating branches were Collie Evening/Day, Armatree, Tooraweenah, and Gilgandra Evening.