Country Women’s Association of Victoria, Media Release, 25 September 2024

Members of The Country Women’s Association of Victoria Inc. (The CWA of Victoria) will be feeding hungry show-goers from their famous cafeteria at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show. With 15,605 scones consumed in 2023, what will be the magic number be in 2024? 

From cooked breakfasts and hearty lunches to enjoying sweet treats including slices, sponge cake and scones with jam and cream – all items are ‘guilt free’ – knowing you will be supporting the work of The CWA of Victoria in communities across the State. 

Funds raised from the sale of food, merchandise and the CWA of Victoria Sustainable Showbag will support the Association’s charitable purpose of helping vulnerable women, children and families in need throughout Victoria.

Front and centre again this year will be the three words selected by CWA of Victoria members that best present “what we do and value” – Care, Empower, Contribute.

These words particularly ring true when it comes to the important advocacy work being championed by The CWA of Victoria in relation to safety for women, homelessness, food security and connecting with young people. 

State President Jennifer Nola says she’s excited to open the CWA of Victoria Cafeteria for business at 8am on Thursday 26th October, promising visitors to the Melbourne Royal Show that they won’t be disappointed with homecooked meals and hospitality on offer.

“The Melbourne Royal Show is an annual highlight for The CWA of Victoria. For over 70 years our members have worked hard to support our ongoing involvement – whether it’s making a bowl cozy for our showbags or baking scones and sponges for the cafeteria – it’s certainly all hands-on deck. In fact, over the next 11 days, our members will cook and run the cafeteria across more than 440 shifts. It’s a huge commitment, but we love every minute of it!!”

“With a proud history of supporting our communities, vulnerable women, children and families, funds raised from the Melbourne Royal Show help us continue this important work. So, I encourage show patrons to visit our cafeteria, eat up and buy a Sustainable Showbag. You can also purchase our famous scones, jam and cream to help beat the number of scones sold last year.”

Sustainable Showbag highlights

• A Bowl Cozy made by a CWA of Victoria members plus the pattern to make one yourself.
• A fabulous book – The Joy of Better Cooking by Alice Zaslavsky – full of handy kitchen skills and know-how including how to make the most of leftovers and produce over supply!
• Recipes for San Choy Bau and Lamb Lentil & Rosemary Soup.
• A SMASH Bento Snack Box, Madura Tea Bags 20’s, Packet of McKenzie’s Split Red Lentils and Moroccan bowl to serve your soup, stew or San Choy Bau.
• All items come in a strong, sturdy reusable Tote Bag…

The CWA Showbag can only be purchased from the cafeteria. Show Price $35.00. Total Value $125.

Join us

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria has hundreds of Branches located round the state. Whether living in metropolitan Melbourne or in rural, regional, or remote communities across Victoria, we are for all women of all ages. Join us to create connections and make a difference. To find our more, visit www.cwaofvic.org.au.

About the Country Women’s Association of Victoria

The Country Women’s Association of Victoria was formed 12 March 1928 and today has more than 4,000 members and hundreds of Branches located around the state. We are a member-based Association and not-for profit, charitable organisation whose principal purpose is to provide support to vulnerable women, children and their families in need throughout metropolitan, regional, rural and remote settings in Victoria. We do this through volunteer community services, the establishment and management of community support networks and the provision of financial aid or emergency funding. We also cook, we craft, and we advocate for change, while empowering our members and always remaining relevant. The Country Women’s Association of Victoria is an organisation for all women of all ages – metropolitan, rural, regional, and remote. www.cwaofvic.org.au