Inarrabri

Feature

Interview by Jill Jollow

When did the Narrabri CWA Branch begin

and how did it come about?

It was formed in 1924. The state CWA was

formed in 1922. They had 22 branches. Now

they’ve got 388. They have metropolitan

branches- not just country.

So, Narrabri would have been one of the

earliest branches formed?

Yes, and branches like Molong, Bathurst and

Orange were formed a year later. When they

first formed, they provided hostels for young

people from the bush to go to school. There

were hostels in Narrabri, Moree , Inverell,

Mudgee, Narrandera and Dubbo . Narrabri

hostel opened in 1946. The students who were

closer went home for weekends. We didn’t.

So, you came in to the Narrabri Hostel from

Come-By Chance?

Yes, I came in when I was 11. I stayed until I did

the Leaving Certificate when I was 17. It closed

in 1958 when roads became easier to travel on.

The hostel was no longer needed then.

What’s your story with the CWA?

I joined the Younger Set at Come-By Chance

in 1960. I was a member till I got married. We

then moved to Henty, but I wasn’t involved

there. When we came back to Pilliga in the late

‘60s, I rejoined. I retired to Narrabri in 2008 and

some of the ladies sought me out to join the

Narrabri Branch, which was in danger of clos-

ing. I’m not into emails or computers, I didn’t

want to be secretary, so I’m the President/

Treasurer. ( Laughs) Nobody wants to relieve

me, so I think it’s a job for life! I believe it’s very

important to keep the smaller branches operat-

ing as this helps keep the organisation going.

What was the Younger Set?

They were mostly young girls in the district.

Two parent Branch members had to be present

at meetings.

So it was like a youth branch?

Oh, yes. Our President was only 18. One day

she referred to the two parent Branch mem-

bers as “Elderly Ladies.” They were probably

not much more 40! We used to do things like

having a mock wedding. I remember I was the

groom. They picked one of the fairly big fellows

for the bride. It was fun!

What part of the CWA do you like?

Well, the friendship is the main object. I’m not

into Land Cookery or handicraft entries. Mainly

friendship… We are hosting the Group Confer-

ence next year in October, so that should be

exciting- and good for the town, too.

CWA have recently sold their premises in

Narrabri. Where does that money now go?

The building was owned by Head Office, but

we have some money from the sale held in

trust. We made an application to receive a

percentage of the sale proceeds and we were

successful. Our aim is to buy a CT scanner for

the Narrabri hospital, which is very expensive.

It will be a great benefit to the hospital and the

wider area, but our donation is also dependent

on donations from other sections of the com-

munity as well. The money will be held in trust

until all funds are raised.

CWA has a powerful political lobby for both

State and Federal Parliaments. What current

issues are of concern?

Two of our members attended the recent State

Conference in Tamworth. There were quite a

lot of resolutions that were passed to lobby

governments. The issue of legalising medicinal

marihuana was one.

I was interested in the wild dog control and

making Khaki weed a noxious weed because

I’m from the land. I also supported the

resolutions urging people to register for organ

donation, legislation requiring manufacturers

to label food stuff clearly stating the country of

origin and percentage of Australian and over-

seas content and a surf awareness video to be

shown on incoming flights to Australia.

CWA have a wide ranging number of is-

sues- health, communication, food labelling,

domestic violence…They have supported

Crohn’s disease for the last three years. The

final amount raised was $90000 for research

into Crohn’s.

What did the CWA choose to support at the

Conference this year?

This year there was a choice between macular

degeneration, motor neurone disease and

Lyme’s disease. Lyme’s disease was chosen- I

think because not very many people are aware

of it. They have also donated $50000 to the

Nepal disaster. Over the years, they’ve donated

a lot of money to drought relief. I’ve actually

been a recipient during a drought when we

were at Pilliga. There are also scholarships

donated by the CWA to help students and

medical grants as well.

On a lighter note, everybody knows about

the CWA fundraising that occurs each year

at the Royal Easter Show. Have you ever had

the tea and scones there yourself?

I haven’t, but one of our members was down

there last year and helped out. They made

40,600 scones this year. They raised a lot of

money! They work at Agquip, too.

I know the CWA cookbooks are still very

popular. Are they available for sale here?

I brought some home from the Conference.

When we had a raffle down the street, I took

the last cookbook down and sold it! “Jam Drops

and Marble Cake.” It had very nice recipes!

If readers wish to become involved with Nar-

rabri CWA in any capacity, how would they

go about it?

Well- just come along to a meeting! We meet

at 10 o’clock on the first Friday of every month

at the Old Gaol. Or you can ring me on 6792

6362. Everyone is welcome! One advantage of

being a member is that discount accommoda-

tion is available to financial members when

visiting Sydney. The accommodation is central

to the airport or trains which is handy.

ann sorensen

Ann Sorensen has been a member of the

CWA for most years since 1960, when she

joined the Younger Set of Come-By Chance…

Now Anne is the President/Treasurer of the

Narrabri Branch.

18 | iNarrabri Magazine

photo: john burgess