gloria...

..in excelsis deo an so it was at the local branch of the CWA Christmas wind up.
The choir sang, the last meeting for the year was held while holly (yes locally grown holly with berries!!) graced the tinsel glittered tables (extra) and business was finalised for the year.

The Country Women's Association was founded in 1922 and is 'the largest women's organisation in Australia. It has 44,000 members across 1855 branches. Its aims are to improve the conditions for country women and children and to try to make life better for women and their families, especially those women living in rural and remote Australia. The organisation is self-funded, nonpartisan and nonsectarian.'


The local group has 49 members (and a feisty bunch they are!) and the op shop is the largest fund raising earner in the state with tens of thousands of dollars  each year donated to various causes.
C has been a member since the 70s and as a country girl spoke about the CWA being almost a rite of passage, the lads joing 'Young Farners' and the women the CWA.
There is a lot more to them than 'jam and scones' but it was the book 'Jambusters' (the story of Britain's WI and the inspiration for the telly series Home Fires) that sparked my interest and an invitation to come along to a CWA meeting.
The gals are certainly of a certain vintage however the 'Belles' are the new gals on the block and probably just as feisty with their intent...for example
'Stitch and Bitch'! Do you want to learn how to knit and help a good cause? The CWA Perth Belles are getting out their knitting needles and crochet hooks to create baby blankets for struggling mums and newborns in Western Australia.


Long may they continue