The Lismore CWA celebrated a huge milestone yesterday: 100 years of service to our community, over which time they have contributed largely to what Lismore is today.

Mandy Nolan MC’d, and there were bands, stalls, and speeches by noted individuals, along with freshly baked scones laden with jam and cream to celebrate!

Aliison Kelly and Vicky Boyle were instrumental in coordinating the 100-year anniversary event. They were so pleased to have their hall back in use following the 2022 flood so it can be shared with the public.

“It is just wonderful to be celebrating like this; we have so much support. The Lions Club and the Living School are here, as are many stallholders, and the Lismore Concert band sounds lovely!” said Vicky.

“To be able to use the hall again is fantastic; thanks to Lismore City Council and Bennett Constructions, it is so nicely decked out and can even be hired now, too,” said Aliison.

CWA has two branches - the day branch, or the original group, and in 2017, a second group started as the evening branch for those who couldn’t make the earlier meeting times so everyone could participate in CWA ventures.

The evening branch members were there to support their day branch sisters and celebrate 100 years and the reopening of the hall.

The turnout was not what was expected with the rain and Christmas approaching, but the atmosphere was still festive, and there were plenty of people there to show support for the CWA.

Jyllie Jackson and Robyn Kelly enjoying some scones. Jyllie said, “I think the CWA are fantastic. I think they're an important backbone of our community across all of Australia.’

Joan and Janet were enjoying some light refreshments inside and said, “It's lovely to see them turning 100, especially for the Lismore branch,” said Janet, “It's an amazing milestone. They have done so much for the community.” 

Joan added, “It’s so lovely to see this beautiful building refurbished and that the CWA will still have a presence here in Lismore.”

Kevin has worked in media for the Northern Star and The Land and is a real advocate for the CWA's abilities, “They're a real force to be reckoned with. They have conferences and put decisions before the government to have things changed as they see they are needed. 

“It's a really great thing for the women in the bush to have that contact, to get together and have a say in how things in rural and regional areas should be running.”

During the speeches, the tribute to the women throughout the CWA’s time came to the fore. The list of ways the CWA has contributed to shaping our lifestyle now and how Lismore has been built around the actions of the CWA women is a testament to their capabilities.

Lee Duncan did well representing MP Janelle Saffin, Helen Dargin, the president of the CWA day branch, Alison Larcher president of the North Coast CWA branches and Mandy Nolan, MC extraordinaire!

Alison Larcher, the President of the Far North Coast group, spoke of how the CWA operates in every state and territory in Australia, “The far North Coast group of NSW has 16 branches and covers an area from a Murwillumbah in the north to Evans Head in the south, and Ballina and Tabulam to the east and west. 

“The CWA is the largest women's organisation in Australia with approximately 8000 members in New South Wales and the ACT and aims to improve conditions for country women and their families. It was formed in 1922 at a time when country women were experiencing isolation and a lack of health facilities.

“It was formed in 1922 at a time when country women were experiencing isolation and a lack of health facilities. We are also a member of the associated country women of the world and support country women worldwide.”

The Lismore CWA raised over $120,000 dollars to be distributed to help locals affected by flooding in 2022. It was raised from donated funds and transferred to Lismore through sister CWA branches.  

Helen Dargin spoke of the importance of their ability to hand that directly to those in need, “Lately; we've been helping with the flood victims, raising money and giving things directly to those people - not giving it to a third party.”

Many, many achievements were mentioned on the day. Here is a list of early CWA projects and contributions to causes:

• setting up baby health centres, 
• building and staffing maternity wards, hospitals, schools, rest homes and holiday cottages where women and their children could get some much-needed respite from their usual lives of isolation and hard work,
• the original library in Lismore was formed by the CWA ladies who helped ladies from the country have somewhere to sit down when they finished their shopping,
• conducted activities to bring people together to stop the drift to the cities,
• raised money for the ambulance building when it came to Lismore,
• Introduced stop signs at railway crossings, 
• reduced rail fares,
• increased funding for Aboriginal welfare and housing, 
• compulsory fitting of seat belts and child restraints, 
• DUI breath testing, 
• research into alternative fuel sources, 
• compulsory wearing of bike helmets,
• discouraging the use of plastic shopping bags.
• helping various charities.

More recent initiatives include:

• taking a stand about the increasing rates of domestic violence, 
• increased access to mental health services in rural areas, 
• increasing funding for women's refuges and affordable housing for women, specifically older women, 
• protection of koala habitat, 
• bank closures in rural areas, 
• the establishment of 24 hour policing in all larger regional areas,
• student grants going from primary to high school and high school to university. 8 students in the Far North Coast received a scholarship this year,
• strong action on the anti coal seam gas movement and the waste incinerator project.

MP Janelle Saffin could not be in attendance but listed some of the points above. Through Lee Duncan, she passed on, “Congratulations on your 100 years. You deserve to be celebrating. You deserve to be proud of yourselves.”

To see how much the CWA have contributed to the community - the truth of “It’s not just tea & scones” rang loud and clear.  

Vicky helping Janet and Joan.

But on the topic of scones, Aliison let out the CWA secret, “The scone part is just here to hold the jam and cream!” Both were generously daubed over the delightful scones!

Here's to another successful 100 years!