CWA unveils centenary bench in Boggabri

The Country Women’s Association unveiled a new bench in Boggabri’s Merton Street in a wonderful centenary commemoration.

Members of the CWA Willala branch gathered for the momentous centenary event, with patron and founding member Cicely Maxwell accepting the offer to take the first seat.

Cicely who will be 96 next month has been in the Willala area since 1957 and is one of three founding members of the group, along with branch secretary Elsie Jensen and Branch treasurer Fay Sanderson.

A plaque outlining the history of the CWA stands beside the blue bench and tells the story of its founding, incorporation, and the opportunities the association has provided for country women across Australia.

The chosen date for the unveiling aligned perfectly with the centenary bench unveiling, falling within CWA Awareness Week, which ran from September 3-9 and focused on increasing awareness around neurodiversity and the challenges faced by women and children in rural and regional areas of NSW.

Trish Heffernan from Werris Creek branch and Namoi group treasurer delivered the official address and opened the bench for sitting.

“I am honoured to be here today, I have close attachments to the Willala area, and it’s always nice to come back here honouring 100 years,” said Mrs Heffernan.

“It’s very appropriate that we’re doing this in CWA awareness week so that we can get our profile out there, encourage young people to come and join us, and continue to do the good work that each and every one of you do, and we’re notorious for it.

“Without further ado, I would like to declare this seat open.”

Founding members of Willala branch Country Women’s Association and life members: Cicely Maxwell (Willala branch patron), Elsie Jensen (branch secretary) and Fay Sanderson (branch treasurer).

The Country Women’s Association was founded in 1922, with the Boggabri CWA becoming the second established branch in NSW, formed on 10 June 1922.

The association was started with the intention of connecting country women in the name of friendship to help combat isolation in rural areas, as well as a lack of health facilities.

They have been incremental in setting up baby health care centres, funding bush nurses, as well as lobbying for improved conditions, and setting health policies at a state level.

The striking blue bench is engraved with the CWA motto ‘Pride in our past, faith in our future’ as well as the CWA logo will help to promote awareness for the group in the area.

CWA member Marion Smith, daughter of Cicely Maxwell was also thanked for facilitating the installation of the bench.

“It would have been about two years ago when we started discussing the CWA centenary and what we could do,” said Mrs Smith.

“About the same time, the Boggabri Business Chamber held a meeting to seek support from various clubs and organisations around town to encourage people to the town – visitors passing through, locals, anybody.

“At our next meeting, one of the CWA members suggested the possibility of putting a seat and information outside the old CWA rooms.

“She also suggested a recycled plastic seat as she’d seen them around – in the supermarkets, parks, and so on.

“I made the suggestion to chamber president Jo Bell and she was enthusiastic.”

The recycled bench was made by Replas, and volunteers from the Boggabri men’s shed and Rotary also helped to put the bench together and install it, and the hardware shop offered to house it until the final installation.

Country Women’s Association Willala branch president Robyn Blake and Namoi Group treasurer Trish Heffernan.

“There have been quite a few hiccups on the way, but it’s great to finally have it done,” said Mrs Smith.

“Jo Bell was very helpful; we couldn’t have done it without her.”

Gathering members took turns offering stories about how four branches joining together initiated the rejuvenation of the Willala branch.

“We got quite a few members that kept us going, and out of it created a very strong Willala branch,” said Mrs Jensen.

“The three of us are here today as founding members were also just good mates when we started.”

“Willala was really struggling- at one stage, a lot of our original members had moved away, but then other branches from Boggabri Day, Boggabri Evening, and Baan Baa closed as well and we all came back together.

Willala CWA president, and life member Robyn Blake thought the Boggabri main street was the perfect location to provide a home for the bench.

“The CWA in the country means friendship mainly, but it’s also wonderful because you meet other people, from outside your district.”

“Because Boggabri was the number two branch in the state and the members would come out to the Willala branch, which is out of town, we thought this was the perfect location because everyone would benefit from the seat being here.

“A few people have said it makes a great addition to the main street, the day we put it here for a trial run, people tried it out and said this is great.”

CWA members gathered for a lovely morning tea with sandwiches and sweets at the cafe, the new neighbour to the CWA centenary bench.