Successful 86th State Conference held in Geraldton
The 86th Annual State Conference of the Association was held in the Batavia Hall of the Geraldton Grammar School from 12th to 15th July 2010. State President, Mrs Alice Adamson chaired the Conference which was attended by delegates from 116 branches as well as observers.
The Hon James Chown MLC, Member for Agricultural Region (representing the Premier) officially opened the Conference on Monday night. This Conference was an historic occasion as it was the first time the State Management Committee had been elected by the whole membership.
During the Official Opening the following awards were presented:
• CWA Young Volunteer of the Year Award: State President, Mrs Alice Adamson presented the CWA Young Volunteer Award to Candice Snitch from Cookernup. Candice was nominated by Yarloop branch.
• Clarice Rudduck Memorial Award for community service won jointly by Western Suburbs and Koorunga Branches.
• CWA Community Grants of $5000.00 each were made to Northampton and Koorda.
A highlight of the evening was the conferring of Honorary Life Membership on Pam Batten (Yuna Branch), the highest award of the Association.
On Tuesday morning an Ecumenical Service was held. Reverend Trevor Waters made thecall to worship, Dean Jeremy Rice delivered the Homily with the theme “A Fresh Start”, Pastor Dieter Dell’Antonio lead the prayers and the blessing of Conference was made by Father Brenton Taylor.
Cr Ian Carpenter, Mayor of the City of Geraldton/Greenough held a Civic Reception for representatives of the Association on Tuesday evening.
Motions carried during State Conference included support of the annual University of Western Australia Rural Education Field Trip with a donation of $1500.00. This would assist with the cost of transport to enable pre-service teachers’ participation in Education Field Trips. The Field Trips provide diverse experiences including time on a pastoral station, School of the Air and at District High Schools. Sixty six percent of the pre-service teachers undertaking the Field Trips over the past four years have indicated they would apply for a rural or remote position as a new graduate.
A motion submitted by Boyanup Branch was carried, proposing a state wide fundraising event in 2010-2011 in the form of a five kilometre “girl power” walkathon. Funds raised will be shared between the Country Women’s Association of WA and the Diabetes Research Foundation of
Western Australia (Inc).
A beautifully illustrated calendar, entitled They Bloom Again, was launched during the Conference. The calendar featured members of Yuna Branch photographed among wildflowers of the area. Proceeds of the calendar will be shared by CWA and the McGrath Foundation. Copies of the calendar will be available from the Association’s Showroom in West Perth. Cost $10.00.
Delegates were privileged to have Sue Middleton, National winner of the 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award, address them under the theme Rural Communities – Strategies for Turbulent Times. Sue made recommendations on ways to respond to the changes/challenges faced by rural communities.
A challenging and enlightening symposium on Alcohol Abuse in the Community was facilitated by Jo Prendergast with speakers Constable Dan Ryan (Mullewa); Dr Murray James - Wallace, GP; Julian Krieg (Wheatbelt Men’s Health); Elizabeth Szczepanska, (Psychologist) and
Mitchell Dobbie (Regional of the Manager Midwest Alcohol & Drug Service).
A social highlight of the week was a friendship dinner attended by 270 members, partners and friends and representatives of the sponsors of the Conference. It was a fun-filled evening allowing delegates to socialise and relax after the business of the Conference.
Ms Rosemary Mills (Cunneata Branch of CWA) addressed Conference as a mental health consumer and a Bi-Polar sufferer. Rosemary acknowledged the generous support given her by the Association which enabled her to attend a Conference in the United States of America and to study and compare mental health services available there with services in Western Australia.
Members of the new State Management Committee were announced:
• State President, Maggie Donaldson
• State Treasurer, Heather Allen
• Ordinary Members: Elva Rolinson, Pam Batten, Sue Dunne, Sara Kenny, Lesley Langley,
Vivienne Rowney, Sally Nicholl, Reina Field.
Entertainment throughout the week highlighted the wealth of talented people from the region. Men’s tours were organised for partners of delegates and a tour of the City was well supported by those attending the Conference after its close.
The organising Committee, Yuna Branch, was congratulated and thanked by the State President for their endeavours and diligence in presenting a well organised and enjoyable Conference.
Three of the State Presidents who have chaired a Geraldton State Conference cut the beautifully decorated cake. They were assisted by members who have attended all five State Conferences that have been held in Geraldton since the first in 1960.
New State President Maggie Donaldson (left) carries the State Banner following the closure of conference, assisted by retiring State President Alice Adamson.