The Country Women's Association (CWA) Lismore Evening Branch has officially launched their new van, which will allow them to continue their community service, as the tea rooms remain closed due to flood damage.

The new van was purchased with funds from the Commonwealth Bank’s Flood Relief Grants program and will serve as a mobile unit for the organisation's events and activities.

Last year, the CWA tea rooms in Lismore were heavily damaged by floods, and they have not been able to reopen since then. With the new van, the CWA will be able to continue their important work, travelling all around our region.

Lismore Evening Branch President Kerry Harvey said the van will provide a visual presence in the community.

“The worst disaster in Australia’s history can’t keep a group of fabulous women down,” she said.

“This is to replace our poor old building, that is still destroyed. We don’t want to be stuck away in some hall where nobody knows us… so this is great!”

They have named the van ‘Margy’, after Margaret Smith, a member of the branch who passed away last year.

“Even though she wasn’t feeling great at the time, our dear member Margy was very keen to be involved in every way… we were blown away when she said she was giving us a generous donation to help us decorate the van, hence we have called it Margy, and we are sure she would love it.”

Margaret’s husband Wayne was at the opening and cut the ribbon on the van to officially launch it.

It was purchased last year, and was put to work straight away to help those in need after the floods.

“Following the flood we distributed rugs, there were over 600 rugs sent from all around Australia, and we distributed those.”

“We then had a competition in the branch for the design, and this design won.”

“We’ve started going to the farmers markets, and sell everything handmade… it’s very social, and we are very popular.”

“We have 31 members, and it is constantly increasing because I think people see what we do and how much fun we have… we are a very active branch.”

Stephanie Darragh is the Branch Manager of Lismore’s Commonwealth Bank and was there today for the launch.

“CommBank is heavily invest in our community, and these grants, as you can see, assist everyone – and over the last 12 months the bank has given out lots of grants to community to assist people get back on their feet.”

The CWA Lismore Evening Branch is a vital part of the community, and their new van will ensure that they can continue their work despite the challenges they have faced. If you would like to get involved in the CWA, call Kerry on 0418 776 546.