Branch News
"Dunsborough CWA Branch Walkathon" Raises Funds for the Aged Care Facility
First Bloke buys a CWA Cookery Book and Household Hints
Toodyay Branch 84 Years of Community Service
Willetton - Leeming Branch Walk the Bridge
The Girls Walk at Badgy
CWA Members Stride it out in Bunbury
Right Royal Power Walk
Yuna CWA membes "Put on the Power"
"DUNSBOROUGH CWA BRANCH WALKATHON" RAISES FUNDS FOR THE AGED CARE FACILITY.
Dunsborough CWA held a Walkathon on 1st April to raise money for the proposed Aged Care Facility in Dunsborough. Walkers set off at 8am to walk 5kms along the foreshore. The weather was cloudy and threatening rain, but the sunshine broke through and the 100 or more walkers returned to base to enjoy fresh fruit and prize draws. Businesses, voluntary groups and local fruit growers were very supportive, and Branch members became involved. Approximately $2500 was raised for this very worthwhile project and a good time was had by all!
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| Dunsborough Branch President Gay Growden with Keena Naughton who was the winner of the rescue boat trip. | Supporters of the walk to raise funds for aged care facilities in Dunsborough. | Walkers and members checking their tickets in the lucky draw prize. |
FIRST BLOKE BUYS A CWA COOKERY BOOK AND HOUSEHOLD HINTS
It is said when an opportunity presents itself, grasp it with both hands. Members of Safety Bay Branch did just that at the Veterans Health Week Event held recently in Rockingham. In Joyce Ralston's words, "It was a great day and we were in the right place at the right time. I just looked up and there was Mr Tim Mathieson looking at our cookbooks”.
Joyce was delighted when Mr Mathieson purchased a copy of the Country Women’s Association of WA’s Cookery Book and Household Hints and she asked him if it was for Julia? In responding, it was mentioned that the microwave and household tips would be useful.
He also asked about the display the Branch had on Care Packages for our troops in Afghanistan. Mr Mathieson is a “Men’s Health Ambassador” and was impressed and interested in this project that many of the Association's branches are participating in since hearing a member speak of the need at the Association's 86th Annual State Conference held in Esperance. This has been yet another opportunity members have "grasped with both hands and hearts".
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| Mr Tim Mathieson and Mrs Joyce Ralston (Safety Bay Branch) | Picture are Safety Bay Branch Members L-R Gloria Armstrong, Joyce Ralston and Evelyn Mincherton |
TOODYAY BRANCH 84 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
The 84th anniversary of the formation of the Toodyay Branch was celebrated by members, past members and friends at the CWA Hall in
June 2011.
In 1927 a notice was issued stating "Will all ladies interested in the formation of a Country Women's Association in Toodyay be at the Road Board Chambers on Saturday, 11th June at 3.00 pm." This was signed by K M Beard, Convenor. This first meeting received an enthusiastic response and Mrs Mabel Craven Griffiths, State President of The Country Women's Association of Western Australia was present at that meeting.
In 1928, the Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Bruce and Mrs Bruce were entertained by the Branch.
In 1939, Toodyay Branch acquired its own building. Largely, material from the old Coondle Hall, which had been pulled down in 1927, was used to construct the Toodyay Rest Rooms. These Rooms have been in use ever since.
This year local guests, together with a herd of camels from Morocco were entertained. It was decided to combine the Branch International Moroccan meal with the day's activities and a delicious meal was served for all Branch members, who came appropriately dressed in the Moroccan theme.
Following the meal, local people were invited for a mini expo with a white elephant stall, Tupperware stall and a honey stall together with a display about Morocco. This was followed by quizzes (do you know how many litres of water a camel can drink in ten minutes?) and the cutting of the birthday cake. The birthday cake was a local specialty, a Hummingbird Cake, which is deliciously naughty but worthy of the occasion. Mrs Mavis Rowles who has been a member of the Branch for 60 of the 84 years cut the cake.
The day ended with camel races around the table on hobby camels made from old socks; the camels were complete with eyelashes and lolling tongues which added to their authenticity. There were running and walking races amidst much laughter and puffing and in the confusion there were no winners announced.
This was a fun filled day and we are happy to be carrying on the proud tradition that was started in Toodyay 84 years ago.
Answer: A camel can drink 113.56 litres or 30 gallons in ten minutes.
Willeton – Leeming Branch Walk the Bridge
We held the CWA State-wide Fundraising Girl Power Walkathon on our branch meeting day the 11th April. The Branch's main aim was to have an enjoyable experience even though most of the members would not be able manage the whole 5kms due to dodgy backs, hips, knees, feet and time constraints!!
The pedestrian walkway along the west and eastern span of the Mount Henry Bridge on The Esplanade, Mount Pleasant was chosen for the following reasons:-
- We could complete a lap around both east and western sides of the bridge without getting wet (heaven forbid it rain), or baked by the unusually long hot summer temperatures Perth has experienced.
- The span of the bridge (officially) measures some 688 metres long. One lap (circuit) of the bridge would then constitute 1.76kms, just far enough for those with the complaints mentioned above to complete the distance comfortably.
- We could also appreciate the beauty of the Canning River and its surrounds.
- Publicise to other curious passers-by what we were up to.
- The Mount Henry Bridge venue was within easy distance of a member's home where we could kick back and enjoy a shared lunch afterwards.
Although small in number, our intrepid team members were Helen Dowdell, Sue Dunne, Betty Fitzpatrick, Pam Huxtable and Elizabeth Walton set off around 12.30pm and managed to complete the journey without dropping one team member, steering clear of fast moving, bell ringing cyclists and sundry joggers.
At the end of the afternoon we were all proud to have made the effort to support our own Association as well as the Diabetes Research Foundation and get to know each other a little better sharing a laugh or two along the way.
We have concluded, that "tiara wearing" should be compulsory for any further activities of this nature!!!!
The Girls Walk at Badgy
With a smile Des handed over another bottle of reviving water along the way. It wasn't easy pushing a pram up and down the 5km of sand and gravel tracks of Woollybush Walk, but for Toni it was no problem. She attacked the Girlpower Walkathon along with CWA members and mates, many in April Fools Day costumes, a couple of Welsh WWOOFers, Rhonda who'd shorn her neighbour's sheep that morning, willing walkers from neighboring towns and Bev with her walking stick bringing up the rear - a total of thirty walkers. Eight keen Dockers supporters had already trekked the distance early Wednesday morning, donations had come from as far afield as the bootscooters in Geraldton and there was heaps of money raised.
Jean, Deb and the support crew had a tempting sausage sizzle awaiting weary walkers. Those with energy to spare stayed on for the Great Sudoku Champioship of Badgingarra.
Why the huge response in little Badgingarra to raise funds for CWA and the Diabetes Research Foundation?
At the end of February we'd had a lunch to launch the Walkathon with Sherl Westlund of the DRF as Guest Speaker, and popular local Diane West talking on 'Living With Diabetes'. Diane really touched the hearts of the audience. Five days later Diane died from a rare reaction to a diabetes medication she was taking. We had a huge incentive to raise money for diabetes research!
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CWA Members Stride it out in Bunbury
Members from the Bunbury region joined together to walk around the "Big Swamp Bird Park in Bunbury". After a very busy week State President Maggie Donaldson enjoyed time out walking with members to raise funds for Diabetes Research and CWA State Projects.
Every two years members of the Country Women's Association determine an activity or event to raise funds statewide. Once administration expenses are deducted half of the funds raised are donated to an outside organisation. In 2009 funds were donated to the National Trust for the "Traveler's Rest" project at Mangowine in the Eastern Wheatbelt. Recently the first stage of the project was completed. State President Maggie Donaldson said "She was pleased with the response from branches and the walkathon was a great way to raise awareness and funds for Diabetes Research".
Right Royal Power Walk
Inspired by the upcoming Royal Wedding, Koorunga CWA members left their inhibitions at the door as they stepped out in appropriate Royal wedding attire for the Girl Power Walk on April 3. The array of costumes certainly created much interest, along with lots of laughter from residents, motorists and young children as we walked around the streets of Gingin. Not only were we out exercising, we were also able to admire the many glorious gardens along the 5km route.
The enthusiasm and support for the walk was evident as real and toy dogs, a CWA member from Queensland and an 80 year old Dame Edna look alike, put on their walking shoes to raise funds for Diabetes WA and CWA. A support vehicle displaying the CWA sign and several water stops made sure we catered for all walkers. While Koorunga may not of had huge numbers walking, the sponsorship from the community was amazing with over $1000.00 being raised.
Yuna CWA membes "Put on the Power"
Sunday the 3rd April saw a number of CWA members and Yuna residents "Put on the Power" and stride out the 5 km walk around the oval at Yuna. It was a rather warm afternoon, the flies were friendly and the weeds growing on the track gave babies in prams a bit of a rough ride. Then there were the "Spur Throated Locusts" that were playing at "Jumping Jacks" to keep us company! All of the above made our walk a little different and added to an extremely enjoyable afternoon.
The children playing on the lawn spurred us on each time we completed one of the five laps. It was a great feeling knowing members throughout the State were walking or had walked during the day to raise funds for Diabetes Research and the Country Women's Association of WA. Our branch President's husband is a diabetic and "Jelly Babies" are a must in the pantry of their home. Guessing how many "Jelly Babies" were in a jar raised further funds for the cause and brochures on Diabetes were available. The afternoon was completed with a few drinks, hot beef rolls and salads with tennis club members. And "oh" we did feel so much fitter for the 5 km walk.
