Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin
This year marks 100 years since the Country Women’s Association of WA was established and the Denmark branch held a special gathering to celebrate the occasion.
Travelling from Perth for the local celebration was the CWA State treasurer, Carolyn Cover.
“I’m a farmer’s daughter and mother and grandmother were in the CWA so I feel it was stamped on my bum at birth,” Carolyn said.
Carolyn said it was wonderful to see so many of the CWA’s branches celebrate the centenary in their own special way.
Denmark’s celebration included a lavish morning tea, a commemorative cake as well as the presentation of a wooden bench made and donated by the Denmark Men’s Shed.
“There’s 128 branches across WA and Denmark’s branch has been running for 91 years so it’s been around from almost the very beginning,” Carolyn said.
“I know the Denmark branch has accomplished a lot over the years and it’s been doing a wonderful job working for, and with, the local community.”
Carolyn said that the CWA still carried its original aims that were established 100 years ago.
These included improving the wellbeing of all people, especially those in country areas, by promoting courtesy, cooperation, community effort, ethical standards and the wise use of resources.
Member numbers for the CWA Statewide have significantly declined since its heyday when there were about 12,000 WA members.
State numbers are now about 1900.
Carolyn said this was predominantly due to more women having jobs outside the home as opposed to being stay-at-home mums.
Denmark’s branch currently has fewer than than 20 members.
“We are seeing a shift though and more younger women are joining as they’re making it work for them by meeting in the evenings and weekends instead of during weekdays,” Carolyn said.
“Some even meet via Zoom.”
Megan Sutton, 28, is one of the younger women who has joined the local CWA in recent years.
“I really enjoy being with these older ladies,” Megan said.
“There’s a lot of young mums around that don’t have family living locally and these women are incredibly welcoming and supportive.”
Megan has also put forward the idea of the local branch holding a regular intergenerational day where young mums and their babies can come along and create grandmother-style relationships for their children.
Denmark’s CWA currently hold a craft day on every third Wednesday of the month and will soon resume their winter soup days that run on the last Friday of each month.
Members of the public are invited to attend either event.
See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 2 May 2024.
