Willala CWA celebrates 58th anniversary

Willala CWA members celebrated their fifty eighth anniversary during their October meeting with a beautiful cake which was made and decorated by Sandra Hunter.

The Willala Branch of CWA was formed on October 17, 1966.

The inaugural president was Mrs EL Maunder, secretary, Mrs SW Hughes and Mrs NL Kemmis was treasurer.

An important achievement of the branch has been bringing friendship and unity to the district.

Members participate in CWA activities at branch, group and state level.

Members have over this period been very successful in Land Cookery, International, Culture and Handicrafts awards.

In the early days the Willala branch formed a playtime centre where parent and child participation encouraged friendly co-operation among the younger members of the community.

As members they have also supported the local Willala School when it was open and now support Boggabri schools with a book prize at their annual presentation day.

Boggabri Meals on Wheels has also benefited by members delivering meals once a month to people in the Boggabri Community.

Previously members organised the annual ball and continue to organise other community activities held in the Willala Hall.

For years, tactile books for blind children have been made by members.

There books were sent to North Rocks School for the Blind.

Some of their books have been displayed at other centres, including Vancouver, London and Hamburg.

In 1967 Willala CWA adopted a Platoon of Australian Soldiers in Vietnam.

For four years food parcels were sent each month to these soldiers.

The branch also participated in the Country Women of the Year over many years and sponsored two young ladies in the Youth Year contest in 1985.

Members are proud that Mrs EL Maunder was elected as the state president 1974-1977 and another member Mrs NL Kemmis, was Namoi Group president in 1983-1986 as well as being the state vice president.

Current member, Sandra Hunter is secretary of the Willala CWA and is the Namoi Group president.

The honour of cutting the cake was given to Elsie Jensen and Fay Sanderson who were founding members and are now both life members.

Mrs Sanderson has been treasurer for many years and Mrs Jensen was secretary for many years.

Mrs Sanderson was treasurer in 1988 when The History of Willala was published.

Mrs Jensen stepped down as secretary this last annual meeting.

Recently the branch hosted the Namoi Group International day with members from Quirindi, Gunnedah, Curlewis, Emerald Hill, Manilla and Maules Creek branch attending the very entertaining day.

This year the country of study was France with many interesting topics highlighted and discussed as well as an amazing lunch of French cuisine.