Members of NSW Country Women’s Association (CWA) branches from Narromine to Enngonia convened at Nymagee on Saturday, July 25, for the Far Western Group (FWG) council meeting.

With little regard for the frosty start to the day and the distance involved in travel, a small but enthusiastic group gathered at the impressive Nymagee Town Hall to discuss projects on the agenda for the final months of the year.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of The Land Cookery Competition with the introduction of some new and interesting categories along with the return of some tried and true favourites from yesteryear.

The Land Cookery Competition is not restricted to CWA members: everyone, including juniors, are welcome to enter. Schedules and more detailed information are available from local branch members.

Plans are well underway for the annual CWA Conference to be held in Canberra in May 2027, an event that always draws between 600 and 800 members from all parts of the state.

A crucial part of this conference is the discussion and decision-making surrounding motions introduced by branches statewide for debate. Successful motions are then referred to relevant bodies for further action.

The CWA Public Speaking Competition held in Narromine in May and June attracted a number of favourable comments from members, who were justifiably impressed by the standard of the 40-odd speakers from a wide geographical area that included students from the South West, Far West and Central West areas of the district.

This annual event has been high on the CWA agenda for a number of years, with the effort involved in promoting and organising each event justified by the obvious improvement noted in speakers at each successive event.

Also on the agenda of country women is education, particularly for children in rural and remote areas. Each year a number of grants are made available to assist in the education of students in the CWA Far Western Group. These grants are financed by the fundraising efforts of branches in the Far West and also by the members of Phillip Group in Sydney. Application forms are available through school offices or CWA branch members and open on August 1.

This year’s theme for Awareness Week, celebrated in September, is a plea to those in power to “stop normalising the rural health crisis and start fixing it.”

CWA Awareness Week provides an opportunity for branches to promote their organisation and its achievements over the past 104 years.