Usually, every scone sold by the Country Women’s Association (CWA) at Primex goes toward funding education grants for local school kids. But when Covid put a stop to the annual show, Linnet Pike from CWA Nimbin branch knew something else has to be done. 

So, Linnet and other CWA Nimbin members held raffles and sold cakes at local markets to ‘pick up the slack’ after a tough year. 

They raised enough money to offer two $500 scholarship ‘resilience awards’ to children from Nimbin Central School – as well as numerous $25 book vouchers.

Linnet said helping others is what the CWA is all about – so it was a big surprise to the women when Nimbin Central School gave them an award in return.

Recognized in return

“We are the ones supposed to give out the awards, also it was such a surprise when the school principal Cath Marshall told me we getting a certificate of recognition,” Linnet said.

“It’s from the NSW department of education for community contribution to public education.

“The last two years with fires and the pandemic have had a profound and challenging impact on our youth - we wanted to acknowledge the resilience that so many young people possess and give them support.

“The award is not much, but a little bit can buy a few supplies and acknowledges those students."

The resilience awards will be presented a school assembly in December and the gifting book vouchers will be gifted to four young readers at the school who enthusiastically participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

New branch

Linnet said the CWA Nimbin branch originally formed in 1928, folded in the early 1990’s, then was reformed in 2019.

“So we are a new branch and we’ve started by doing small things,” she said.

Bushfires

“When the 2019 bushfires first hit, the CWA ran an enormous program from Nimbin Town Hall and we gave two home cooked meals a day to the firies and defenders on community.

“That got us recognized and we’ve taken on new members and are slowly building. 

“It’s been difficult through Covid because we can’t have people come to our room at the community centre, but we hope next year to hold morning teas for those in aged care, as well as workshops and engage with community.

“Next month, we will sell raffle tickets at the farmers markets and keep raising funds for our local youth who are always an inspiration to us. 

“We are very grateful that our Central School is embedded within the heart of our community and is staffed by dedicated, passionate and loving teachers who truly bring out the full potential of our children."