Community Recognition Notice - 100 Years of the Country Women's Association [CWA]

12 May 2022

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland)—One hundred years ago, on 21 April 2022, the Country Women's Association [CWA] of NSW formed. As a member of the Maitland Branch of the CWA, I am proud to join with my sisters across Maitland, the rest of the state, and indeed our nation, to celebrate CWA of NSW's centenary. Some of the CWA's earliest campaigns were to secure reduced train fares to the coast support for a seaside home and maternity wards in country hospitals. Their advocacy now covers a broad range of issues including agriculture, environment, disaster relief, health, education and level rail crossing and road safety. I joined the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Regional NSW, Agriculture and Western NSW at the CWA's AGM opening last week. It was amazing to see the energy of some 700 women representing regions across the state coming together to debate policy for our regions and our state. I was pleased to initiate the first Parliamentary Friends of the CWA Group, with co-chairs from a wide variety of parties across this Parliament, representing the importance of the largest women's group in our nation to all of our communities.