General News
31 October, 2025
Reed re-elected as CWA president
Gilgandra CWA Evening Branch holds successful AGM in mid-October.
Jessica Reed has been re-elected as president as the Gilgandra CWA Evening Branch held a successful annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, October 15.
The AGM was held at the CWA Rooms on Warren Road and was opened at 7.30pm that evening.
President Jessica Reed extending a welcome to members and guests.
She then invited all present to stand for the national anthem and recite the CWA motto.
Confirmation of the 2024 AGM minutes as circulated was conducted, before Reed delivered her president’s report.
The treasurer’s annual financial report from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 was presented before the election for the new year was conducted.
President Jessica Reed invited Lucy Irish (member of the Collie CWA Branch) to chair the election of office bearers for 2025/2026.
Lucy declared all positions open for election.
The following people were elected to roles for 2025/2026 at the Gilgandra CWA Evening Branch.
President: Jessica Reed.
Secretary: Julie Sawley
Treasurer: Rebekah Makila.
Position of vice-president: Hilda Newstead.
International: Helen Oats.
Cultural: Madeline Foran
The Land cookery officer: Vivienne Gozzard.
Handicraft : Emily Ashman
Publicity officer: Hilda Newstead.
Election chairperson Lucy Irish declared the AGM election completed.
Jess Reed took the chair, thanked Lucy and presented her with a small gift of appreciation.
The meeting was continued.
Please see below a small, edited excerpt of the president’s report for 2024/2025.
This year has been one of activity, generosity and lots of community spirit.
We began the year with a focus on service, from catering at the Australia Day breakfast and at the Gilgandra Show kiosk, to providing home-cooked meals for the Macquarie Home Stay guests.
Our members continued the tradition of hospitality and care that defines the CWA.
We shared casseroles, scones, grazing platters, always with a smile in support of our community, from the Gilgandra Film Festival to the Grand Concert Piano’s 40th Birthday. Sponsorship from IGA to enable us to run the fun event: the watermelon eating competition contest at the Under The Gums weekend. There were sticky smiles and laughter echoing across the street
Gilgandra CWA run a monthly market and supports donations to the CWA head office, Macquarie Home Stay and our community in times of hardship.
We support our three schools in town (St Joseph’s, Gilgandra Public School and Gilgandra High School)
We also contributed to causes close to our hearts, including The Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The Gilgandra CWA were one of many organisations recognised at the 2025 Orana Volunteer of the Year Awards held in Dubbo recently.
Through it all our members supported one another.
We celebrated long service milestones, welcomed new members and farewelled members with gratitude for their contribution.
Together, we continue to make a difference, in Gilgandra, in our Macquarie Group and across NSW. Thank you. A wonderful enjoyable meeting.
