Whether it's lobbying government or getting a fence built around a playground so a cow could eat the grass down at night, Nowra CWA has marked many a milestone.
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They'll soon celebrate their next - turning 95.
The branch will mark the occasion on September 1 and host a special lunch on Saturday, September 21 at Nowra Golf Club. For more information contact wilmaw@shoal.net.au
Where it all began
In the 1920s Nowra was a growing town. It had its own municipal council, government buildings, churches and public school.
The Illawarra Steam Navigation Company ran a regular steamship service from Nowra to Sydney and horse-drawn transport was still common but the motor vehicle was gaining in popularity.
Life wasn't easy for the lady of the household. She had a family to take care of without the use of electricity or sewerage, and with an unreliable water supply. She was called on to do a variety of tasks, and appeared to be overshadowed by her husband in public life.
The idea of an organisation for women appealed to Mrs Sarah Morton. She knew of the Country Women's Association which had been founded in 1922 and decided to raise the possibility of forming a Nowra branch.
A meeting on September 1, 1924 sealed the deal. Twenty-two women joined on that day and another 14 joined at the second meeting.
Members made an important decision at the first meeting - to provide a rest room in a central place in the town and they set about raising funds to do just that.
The CWA has lobbied government about issues concerning women, children and rural people on many issues including health care, outback roads, seat belts in buses and environmental matters.
The committee moved swiftly and in December a half-acre block of land in Berry Street was bought from Mr John Glanville for 400 pounds.
The construction cost was 85 pounds and the rooms were built by Mr Graham.
At various times the rooms had addition and verandah was enclosed. These additions were made so they could house the Baby Health Centre.
The Baby Health Centre opened in 1934 and Sister Williams was in charge. The centre continued for 63 years.
With the start of the Depression years, members were able to assist a needy family. The minutes of May 1928 reveal that two quarts of milk and two loaves of bread were given each day. Several families were helped in this way.
Following a "Beautiful Town" competition in 1926, the money raised was spent on a children's playground. In 1936 a fence was built around the playground so that a cow could be kept there at night to keep the grass down.
In the early days members sometimes had difficulty getting to meetings. Sometimes husbands made it hard for their wives to attend.
Despite these hurdles, the bonds of friendship grew and their passion for helping the community never waned.
Nowra members fundraised constantly and the first motorised ambulance was handed over to Member for South Coast Henry Bate in 1932.
As the rooms were open weekdays for woman and children, business girls were frequent visitors to the rooms as in those days shops closed for an hour at lunchtime.
Over the years the Nowra branch has supports local schools with scholarships, Noah's Shoalhaven, Rural Fire Services, Father Chris Riley's Youth off the Streets, and funds have been raised for The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Child Flight, Medical Research, Can Assists, the cancer centre and disaster relief.
The CWA has lobbied government about issues concerning women, children and rural people on many issues including health care, outback roads, seat belts in buses and environmental matters.
There are varied interests within CWA including cooking, handicraft, public speaking, international studies and agriculture.
Every year since 1938 the CWA has studied a different country each year to develop knowledge and respect of different cultures. This year's country is Papua New Guinea.
Every year at state conference all members vote to support research on a medical issue.
The CWA has been catering at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for close to 60 years.
The CWA motto is 'honour to God, loyalty to the throne, service to country, women for country women by country women' and it's still just as relevant today.
The Nowra branch holds its craft mornings every Tuesday at the CWA rooms in Berry Street. All are welcome.