Even lockdowns haven't dampened the enthusiasm of the intrepid ladies of the Country Women's Association's Blackheath branch, who have continued holding their meetings, albeit online, to keep business ticking over and making plans for when restrictions ease.
The branch chalked up an impressive 85 years of community service this year and luckily managed to squeeze in a pre-lockdown lunch at the Blackheath Golf Club to mark the occasion, joined by representatives of many of the other Blue Mountains branches.
At the celebration lunch, Blackheath's Jean Twyford and Mount Victoria's Lynette Bice were presented with 20-year service pins to acknowledge their significant contribution to the branch and they had the honour of jointly cutting the birthday cake.
Blackheath CWA comprises members from a wide range of ages, spanning almost 50 years, and a large geographical area from Lithgow to Leura. Extremely proud of its history of community service in the local area, members work tirelessly to raise funds to help support local causes and address social issues across the state.
Lockdowns have seriously hampered fundraising efforts this year, but on the upside, they have meant lots of extra time at home for these Blackheath ladies to boil up those jams and handicraft their fingers to the bone so they can hit the ground running and make up for lost time once restrictions are lifted.
The CWA of NSW also has a milestone coming up. It will celebrate its centenary next year. Across the state, the CWA will also hold its annual Awareness Week from September 5-11 with this year's focus on the urgent need to dramatically increase the nation's housing stocks for society's most vulnerable - the old, the young, the unemployed, low income earners and those living with disabilities.
The CWA is about much more than jams, baked goods and knitted tea cosies - though they do them all so very well. Blackheath CWA members are a nurturing group of women who are supportive of each other and work hard to address social issues that impact women and regional NSW. They also support medical research with a current focus statewide on ovarian cancer.
On a lighter note, Blackheath members also enjoy a range of social activities including weekly crafting mornings, craft workshops, lunches and group excursions.
If you would like more information on the Country Women's Association or you would just like to make some new friends, learn some new skills and make a difference in your area at the same time, contact Blackheath CWA branch secretary Kerry Simpson on 0408 200 470 and follow the CWA Blackheath branch page on Facebook.
