Community & Business
8 March, 2025
CWA Evening Branch News - March 2025 Meeting
President Jess Reed chaired our first meeting for 2025.
By Hilda Newstead, CWA Gilgandra Evening Branch publicity officer
Members and guests enjoyed a Korean influence, with lots of Korean hors-d’oeuvres and beverages, organised by our international officer Helen Oates. President Jess greeted all members with a “welcome to the New Year” message; there are many interesting activities and events to look forward to.
Correspondence:
- Branches are reminded that the annual evaluation of safety in meeting places is due to be undertaken in March each year. A number of branches are selected to be audited and this year it’s our Gilgandra Evening Branch.
- A thank you to our members for the support at the Australia Day breakfast.
- The show committee are looking for volunteers to help at the Royal Easter Show CWA Kiosk, accommodation will be provided for the week you are scheduled to work.
- Also jams and preserves are very welcome to sell at the show.
Handicraft Report:
We still need many pin cushions to fill the box for the Handicraft display at the conference to be held in Wagga Wagga later this year.
Agriculture/environment Report:
A long and thorough discussion was held about the growing concerns with Telstra. Madeline Foran has spent many hours on her phone speaking with the Telstra team and NBN. It’s very obvious that the problem is widespread and has real repercussions on all businesses in our region.
Cultural Report:
A new year with lots of cultural events planned. Our local show, markets, the Goin’ to Gil weekend, and many more are planned during the year.
International Report:
Helen (Oates) attended the CWA of NSW International weekend. Our country of study this year is the Republic of Korea (commonly referred to as South Korea in Australia). We enjoyed a wonderful presentation. One of the overarching themes of the weekend’s discussions was filial piety, the virtue of expressing respect for one’s parents and elders.
For example: respect for their elders and people in authority. Also, the Korean people maintain that food and medicine share the same origin.
Land cookery: members are looking forward to cooking and serving many wonderful recipes, as well as more Facebook cooking videos to be released in 2025.
Market Report:
The Gil Market Day held in February were a success. Next markets, the CWA banners will not be displayed as they need to be repaired due to wind damage.
Publicity Report:
The CWA of NSW Publicity Forum will take over from the Wagga Daily publicity awards as of next year (2026).
The new state publicity award will run from January to December. The inaugural CWA of NSW Publicity Award will be for entries received showcasing the 2025 calendar year, with a presentation of a portfolio or collection of reports.
Option one: electronic entries can be posted on a USB or emailed to the forum convenor’s address as per the CWA directory.
Option two: written entries in the form of an A4 portfolio of no more than 30 pages. Please ensure that no entries are submitted in a spiral band book.
Entries must be accompanied with the correct publicity form, from the procedure’s manual. All entries will be acknowledged upon receipt.
Portfolio books must accompany a self-addressed envelope for return mailing of your entry post judging.
First place winner will be awarded the CWA of NSW Publicity Medallion.
Three-long serving members receive long service badges
Three CWA Gilgandra Evening Branch members celebrated a giant achievement and received their long service badge at this meeting.
President Jess Reed presented the badges to Julie Sawley (36 years), Helen Oates (27 years), and Hilda Newstead (27 years).
A great way to finish the meeting, followed by supper.
