A craftswoman. A cook. A social media whizz.
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All those skills and more are represented in the Country Women’s Association Ballarat dinner branch, a group of 26 members aged from their mid-20s to over 80.
Fiona Darby joined the CWA six years ago after moving to Ballarat from Melbourne.
She started the Ballarat dinner branch’s Facebook page, which was then one of the first in the state.
“You don’t need to be a great craftswoman or baker to be in CWA, it’s a lot about friendship, personal development and just working within the community.
“When people think CWA they think scones and cream and there’s so much more to the CWA than baking, we’re really about supporting community and advocating issues to government,” she said.
The movement has seen a resurgence in young membership, particularly among its evening branches.
“When I joined the dinner branch six years ago I was in my forties and I was one of the younger ones – now there are people half my age,” Ms Darby said.
Fellow branch member Sandy Mangan joined when she retired from full time work.
“What’s so good about it is it’s bringing a lot of inspired women that have got different skills,” she said.
“You’ve got your sewing, your knitting, your cooking but you’ve got all those other skills too that people bring in.
“It’s the kind of group where you can put as much into it as you like – the friendship and caring is one of the most important things for me.”
Audrey Mather, another Ballarat dinner branch member, joined the CWA in 1964 and is a life member.
“It’s meeting people, not only from your own little district.
“You meet one another, you find out their problems, you might be able to help – but even knowing helps.”
Ballarat Country Women’s Association dinner branch will have a recruitment stall at Bridge Mall Farmers Market on Saturday, November 5 from 9am to 1pm.
Find Country Women's Association (CWA) Ballarat Dinner Branch on Facebook.